gdhistory09: Malcolm X

Malcolm X (originally born as Malcolm Little) was a civil rights activist who was most active in the 1950s and 1960s. Malcolm's father was involved in the civil rights movement when Malcolm was young so he was exposed to activism at a young age. As Malcolm grew older he became involved in illegal activity and was sent to prison for eight years. While in prison he was introduced to Islam and became Muslim.

Upon his release from prison in 1952 Malcolm involved himself in the civil rights/racial segregation movement. He was also involved in the Nation of Islam organization and became a great speaker and icon through this movement. Malcolm became increasingly extremist in his views,"while the civil rights movement fought against racial segregation, Malcolm X advocated the complete separation of African Americans from white people. He proposed the establishment of a separate country for black people as an interim measure until African Americans could return to Africa. Malcolm X also rejected the civil rights movement's strategy of nonviolence and instead advocated that black people use any necessary means of self-defense to protect themselves."*1