Malcolm X Essay -- essays research papers fc

Malcolm X   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Being an African American in the United States during the civil rights movement was one of toughest times to live through. The African American felt as if they were treated as non-humans being sent to the United States as slaves, being deprived of their education, forced to live in separate segregated areas, and given the careers that were the lowest paying jobs. They also had no political rights or legal protection. After the North had fought for the African American population to gain freedom from slavery, they were abandoned and were forced to fight for themselves. The Blacks were then left with much ambivalence in regard on how they would go about achieving civil rights. During this time was when a man named, Malcolm X, stood up for what he believed in and is now one of America’s greatest civil right leaders in history still today. On May 19, 1925 Malcolm Little was born in a small Midwest town called Omaha, Nebraska. He grew up in a family of eight children with his mother, Louis Norton Little, who was a homemaker and his father, Earl Little, who was a Baptist minister and supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Earl’s active part in with the civil rights provoked death threats from the white organization Black Legion, forcing the Little family to relocate. At this time Malcolm experienced friction between his parents and the child abuse of his older siblings by his mother. Despite this hostility, the family lived well in a good part of Michigan. Then one night, after a fight Rev. Little went out to take a walk, Malcolm and family were awaken by the terrible news of their father’s death. This simple act of racism drastically affected the lifestyle of the Little family, and a large insurance policy which Rev. Little signed for, refused to pay leaving the family with hardly anything. W ith only unskilled jobs to support the nine-person family, Malcolm’s mother began receiving welfare checks. With this came the deterioration of her pride and eventual mental breakdown and she was then admitted to a mental institution. Soon the family fell into poverty and could not feed themselves. After much struggle, the welfare agency split the family among various foster homes and orphanages. Malcolm was anxious to meet new friends but he found that he did not fit in with the upper-middle-class boys and girls so he g... ...the murder of Malcolm X had ties back to the Nation Of Islam and they were sentenced to life in prison. Malcolm’s death created many mixed feelings amongst the people of the world. However the influence of Malcolm X did not end with his death. Some Black activists started campaigning â€Å" Black Power† instead of the traditional anthem, â€Å"We Shall Overcome.† The actions from the African Americans started following more of Malcolm’s teachings and beliefs after his death and they eventually did not have to ask for white acceptance, and held power to create a better society for themselves. In fact many today are still learning about how he became an important figure in history. Malcolm X became a hero for black people everywhere because he was one who spoke out with controversial ideas without fear or compromise. Malcolm’s actions made him one of the most memorable leaders in our history today. Works Cited http://www.brothermalcolm.net/  © 1999 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY BOOKS Ohio http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/bio.html http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/malcolmx.htm The African American Almanac, 7th ed., Gale, 1997. Malcolm X Talks TO Young People betty shabazz &pth