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5 paragraph essay on malcolm x undergoing the assassination
5 paragraph essay on malcolm x undergoing the assassination
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND BLACK POWER MOVEMENT
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As a child, when I first heard of and questioned who Malcolm X was, I was consistently answered that Malcolm X was a person that completely despised all white people and wished to reverse the black and white roles in American Society and place the African American community at the top of the social order, or, even better, completely eradicate all white Americans. However, the reality of the situation is very different. Malcolm X once said, "I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color."(Estate of Malcolm X) Malcolm believed in equality, not subjugation. However, I believe the reason that he is remembered in the violent fashion that was taught to me is because he refused to take the abuse of oppression without putting up a fight. His voice resounded in a different manner than the call of peace and nonviolence that we associate with Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. The call to action within and outside the African American community frightened many Americans, because they feared that they would be placed in the very same situation that they had forced upon others for centuries.
Malcolm X is a man that creates a stir of multiple mixed emotions whenever and wherever he is mentioned. From the minute he threw away his given last name of ‘Little,’ replacing it with the iconic ‘X,’ to the time a bullet tore through his chest, Malcolm lead a revolution. His ability to persuade to think and act based on his point of view through the force of his words struck admiration into the hearts of his followers and fear into the souls of his opponents. He was a man that stood for...
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... his followers expected. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was addressing some of his followers when the Nation of Islam, who Malcolm had broken away from at this point in pursuit of purifying the beliefs that he felt had been corrupted in the Nation, lead and accomplished the assassination attempt on Malcolm’s life. Malcolm was shot through the chest, and despite the attempts made to save his life, he was killed. Malcolm had constantly preached that he was willing to die for his cause, and his conviction to his beliefs is what brought about the end of his life.
Works Cited
1. Malcolm X. Quotes by Malcolm X. Estate of Malcolm X. Date Unknown. Web. February 27, 2014.
2. Tom Kershaw. The Religion and Political Views of Malcom X. Hollowverse. November 7, 2012. Web. February 28, 2014.
However, it was what happened in his life that made Malcolm X the man who people remember today. From a very early age, Little lived in fear of racism and hate groups, much of it rooting from his father’s murder by white supremacists. He was effectively orphaned by 13, as his mother was placed in a mental institution, and lived until he was 20 in several different foster homes. He was arrested for a crime and once released, went on to commit several crimes, including using and distributing drugs, etc. It was when he was imprisoned that he found the Nation of Islam, who helped him when he was released from prison to find a new life. From them, he was able to attain great oratory skills and create an environment when he spoke in which the people around him, white and black alike, felt empowered and equal. Once he discovered corruption and began to disdain the Nation of Islam, he became independent and was later assassinated. However, he along with MLK, were empowered by their stories, Malcolm’s being one of hatred, poverty, hope, and truth, that changed him to become a stimulus for African American equality in
he had grown frustrated with the non-violent, integrated struggle for civil rights and worried that blacks would ultimately lose control of their own movement. The reason Malcolm X was so beloved and iconic was due to him being a key figure in the black movement about the same time as Martin Luther King jr.. The era of the 1950-1960, advocating black pride, a separate black community and violence disguised as self defense. He stood against white aggression. Changing the last name of his to an x to demonstrate how he denies what he said to be a “slave” name. Charismatic and eloquent. His death in 1965 is what sparked and later laid the firm foundation for the Black Power movements in the late 1960s and 1970s. Opposite to popular belief, this man had done more harm than good in using violence against the white “devil”. It only proved those that though African Americans were only violent animals right. Even Martin Luther King Jr didn't like what how Malcolm X was going about gaining their civil rights , even going as far as saying he hated the use of the words “black power” because. Ultimately Malcolm didn't make any type of immensely big impact on the civil rights movement in a good way or help them stop the spread of racism and
Malcolm X should be everyone’s hero, someone people like myself should look up to as a human being. Anyone who thinks otherwise is either a racist or is extremely ignorant. Malcolm X wore his heart on his sleeve and whether right or wrong he was never afraid to say what was on his mind to anyone who cared to listen. I personally believe Malcolm X’s beliefs give me strength to do what's right and carry myself with dignity. I remember, as a kid, my parents had tons of books about Black History books. The first book I read was a Malcolm X biography. I realized Malcolm X was truly a powerful, significant, and essential work for all time.
“I’m for the truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole” (X). This quote by Malcolm X represented his attitude towards equality and self-empowerment. The true Malcolm X was a passionate human rights activist as well as an extremely outspoken man during the fifties and sixties. X encouraged millions of African Americans to fight for what they believed in and to take pride in their ethnicity. X persuaded a multitude of African Americans that they are supreme and should not be degraded for their skin color. He learned at a very early age if he wanted something in life, he had to make some noise
Throughout each stage of his existence there are a multitude of symbols that are made evident. Haley shows how status played a major role in developing Malcolm’s self-worth. The author explains how a “conk” hairstyle tied him to the white world and showed him his own internalized racism. The writer also demonstrates how eyeglasses, a watch, and suitcases played a major role in his final transformation to the great leader that he made himself into. All of these symbols work together through the captivating tale of his life, and illustrates the many things that helped to shape him as a man. All things considered, Haley reveals just how critical symbols are in not only Malcolm X’s lives, but in everyone’s lives. Ultimately challenging his readers to look at their own lives in an attempt to discover what their personal symbols are. Malcolm X’s life had many challenges and setbacks, nevertheless, he discovered who he wanted to be and rose to the challenge, proving himself an important and influential
Peter, G. (2013). THE DEATH AND LIFE OF MALCOLM X. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
Malcolm X was born May 19, 1925, and he was assassinated on February 21, 1965. Malcolm X was a Muslim leader and Civil Rights leader. He was born Malcolm Little to Earl Little and Louise Norton, who were both activists in the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Malcolm X was a bright student but was very bitter towards white authority figures. X quit school after a teacher said that his desire to become a lawyer was not a “realistic goal for a nigger.”
Even though Malcolm X was speaking violence into the minds of many fellow African Americans, he persuaded them to use violence against people but only if it seemed necessary. Many people went against what he believed in because of this. They did not agree it was the right way to handle this situation especially since there was already violence present from the racist.
Malcolm Little, formally known as Malcolm X’s death was not justified; seeing that he was a prime influence for many African Americans in the 20th century, he unquestionably increased the comprehension and knowledge worldwide, and his advocacy for the African American culture increased Black pride in nationally. The assassination was brutal, frightening, and fearsome. Threats to his family, himself, and to close friends were alarming. Following the threats his house was firebombed, and shortly after he was shot during his speech at Oxford Union. The accusers were from the nation of Islam. His opinions were powerful, dominant, and influential in his drive to end segregation. “Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up.”-Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Therefore, he objected to any harm or sadness in his community, and he was primarily interested in languages, philosophies, politics, religion, and many other paramount subjects
Malcolm X has truly captured the hearts of many. From his empowering personality to his amazing life story, he is a figure history can never forget. His autobiography is a full and honest account of his life, his struggle against racism, mistakes, regrets, choices good and bad, as well as discove...
Of the people whose names are mentioned in history, some men like Thomas Edison are praised for their genius minds, while others such as Adolf Hitler are criticized for leaving a depressing legacy behind. While it is relative easy to notice the type of legacies these two men left, legacies of other men are often vague and they seem to be imbedded in gray shadows. This is how many people view the life of Malcolm X. Malcolm X during his lifetime had influenced many African Americans to step up for their rights against the injustices by the American government. One on hand, he has been criticized for his hard stances that resemble extremism, while on the other hand he has been praised him for his effort in raising the status for African Americans. The extremes in viewing his life from the modern day perspective have often come from reading his climatic speech The Ballot or the Bullet that he gave in many cities across America in 1964. When he was with the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X favored Blacks to be separated from the Whites, and during this time he strongly opposed White Supremacy. This also seems quite prevalent in his speech The Ballot or the Bullet. However, one events during the last year of his life reveal that he wanted the Blacks and the Whites to coexist as peaceful Americans.
Three events in Malcolm X’s life were very significant in Malcolm’s development and influenced his ideas. His interaction with Mr. Ostrowski opened his eyes to a new, more aware, point of view that marked his transition from childhood. His time in prison turned him against white people and led him to completely accept the ideas of Elijah Muhammad and transition away from hustling and crime. Malcolm’s pilgrimage to Mecca transitioned him from the hate-driven society of the Nation of Islam and towards a more accepting society of traditional Islam. All these events progress or completely change Malcolm’s ideas about systemic oppression, racial identity, and separation verses integration and push him to a new period of life and the next event.
Malcolm X, born in 1925 as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska lived with the knowledge that his family house was burned down and that his father was killed by the Ku Klux Klan because he refused to vacate an area that was “supposed” to be for Whites only. His father was an independent man who wanted to fend for his family by himself and not have to rely on anyone
... the firebombing, Malcolm was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York at a meeting of the O.A.A.U. at the age of 39. Rumors have it that the Nation of Islam was involved and there are also rumors that the F.B.I. was involved.
Malcolm X or Malcolm Little and also known as “El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz”, was an African-American Muslim minister and a human rights activist. He had a hard child a young adult life. His admirers he was a courageous speaking for the rights of blacks, a man who accuses white America in the meanest terms for their crimes against black Americans; critics accused him of preaching racism and violence. “He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history along with martin luther king jr.” based on some of the things malcolm has done, Martin luther king jr. definitely had a different way of approaching issues. with both of their totally different way of getting their point across, discussion could be made on who was more effective in the civil rights movement as a whole. If Malcolm x wasn't around and fighting for civil right around the same time as MLK was doing it here he probably would of had much of a chance and would have just been killed, he in a way motivated the whole world into fighting for civil rights in their country, without his “black power” philosophy. he was easily in the top five people that got the civil right movement to follows it course and end up get equality for black and white.