Malcolm X’s quest for equal rights began when he got arrested in 1946 for robbery. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. While in prison, Malcolm became a follower of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of a small black cult, the Nation of Islam. While still I prison Malcolm joined the Nation of Islam and adopted the new name "X". He educated himself intellectually and also learned and followed Muslim practices.

After his parole in 1952, Malcolm X became an active participant in the Nation of Islam. He worked under Elijah Muhammad and assisted in setting up Muslim groups around the country. He rallied African Americans to join the Nation of Islam by recounting the subjugation of Blacks by the Whites. His recruiting and oratory skills   can be attributed to his success in increasing the party’s strength.

With an increasing number of followers Malcolm X moved to Harlem, NY to become the minister of Temple number 7, an all Black influential temple. He advocated self-defense and militancy against the subjugation of Blacks. His indictments of racism towards whites and his methods to defeat it instilled a fear in the New York White community.

Malcolm X continued to urge Blacks to stand up and do something about oppression. By the early 1960’s he became contemptuous towards the Nation of Islam. He felt that the party was not being assertive enough in their struggle for civil rights. This restiveness culminated in a suspension from the party for his assertion that President Kennedy’s assassination was just "the chickens coming home to roost."

After his dismissal he traveled to Mecca, where he began to consider changing his views. He realized there that Orthodox Muslims believed in the equality of races. "In Mecca, he saw that it was possible for black and white people to live in brotherhood, of which he was deeply touched." After the pilgrimage he adopted the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Malcolm X altered his views significantly. "He began to advocate a more pragmatic black nationalism" and began to see the possibility of integration between Blacks and Whites. In 1964 he set up the Organization of Afro-American Unity and continued to advocate Black socialism. The result of this was a growing discontent from Black Muslims towards his new practices. In 1965 Malcolm X was assassinated by a Black Muslim, a member of the party that he helped to create.

"It doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time, I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence."

INFLUENCE ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS