Malcolm X Biography Essay Example
Throughout history there are many great people who dedicated their life to the advancement of the African American race. Few of these people created as much controversy during the 1960’s then the man who would be known as Malcolm X. Unlike many of the civil rights leaders of the time who promoted non violence, Malcolm X believed in the use of aggressive tactics in his battle for equality. Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska to Earl and Louise Little. His father, a minister and devout Christian, was known for being an outspoken follower of the black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Garvey’s message promoted the “back-to-Africa” movement that encouraged African Americans of the time to sever ties with the United States and move back to the continent of Africa which was the homeland. It would be the messages of self reliance learned from his father as well as the whole Garvey movement that would prove to be an important factor to Malcolm’s ideology in his own personal movement. As a child Malcolm’s family was forced to move several times due to racism and threats on his family’s life. The Little family would move from Omaha after being threatened by members of the Ku Klux Klan a group of white racists known for terrorizing African Americans. While living in a predominantly white neighborhood in Michigan there house was burned down by members of the racist group due to Malcolm’s father involvement in Black empowerment organizations . At the age of thirteen Malcolm’s father was mysteriously murdered and his mother was admitted into a mental hospital forcing Malcolm to live in different foster homes and become separated from his siblings. While living in foster homes Malcolm excelled in school but quickly lost interest after one of his teachers told him it was unlikely for a black man to be successful in this world, humiliating an impressionable young Malcolm. After dropping out of school Malcolm moved to Boston, Massachusetts