Malcolm X: The Man and His Times - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: MALCOLM X Malcolm X Malcolm X Introduction Malcolm X was a great leader whose actions made a great impact on American history and played a big role in the American way of life. This is so because, in the long run, his speeches brought respect for blacks and pride to those who were African descendants. Not only did he speak the minds of millions of blacks and some whites around the nation, he also gave them courage to defend themselves and stand up for what they believe in. Furthermore, he created awareness of the negative effects that racial discrimination had in the world. He was a son of two active black nationalists who followed the teachings of Marcus Garvey, the most influential pan-Africanist of the early twentieth century. Malcolm was placed in an Ingam County juvenile in Mason, Michigan. He worked hard and was obtaining good results in school. Seeing this made his half sister Ella proud when she came to visit him. Though many people of his time believed that Malcolm X and his followers were only spreading hate across the nation, his speeches accomplished a lot more than that. Because of him, black people in North America are now shown more respect by people of the white race who were once their oppressors. To the eyes of many, this was not real freedom. Malcolm X was fighting to change this sad reality and win the respect of people for all black people nationwide. Demonstrating this fact, after his death, affirmative action became a part of a larger design by Pres. Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty program to benefit the minorities of the society who were not given the opportunity to seek formal education and denied equal job opportunities as the white population. (Haley, 1964) The debate on this issue is still going on today. These facts prove that black people are finally being accepted for who they are in the society they live in and shown the respect they deserve. A formal apology has not yet been witnessed but the fact that it is being discussed alone still demonstrates that whites are finally recognizing blacks as human beings no inferior than whites and deserve equal respect to whites. The black people were the same ones who once accepted white supremacy and believed themselves to be inferior. They were unqualified and, as human beings, did not recognize their rights like most black people of that time. (Perry, 1991) They endured police aggressions and harassments. Newton, who was familiar with the law, guided his people into a militant resistance whose purpose was to defend its community and would not attack unless attacked. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr The Civil War was only the beginning of a Civil Rights Movement that would last a century. Malcolm X, like Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey and many more, was part of this movement. These people fought for freedom of black people and created awareness of the negative effects of racial discrimination. Proof of this is the fact that the American government feels ashamed for the past events, which is the reason why details of shameful events like slavery, hate crimes and assassinations of various black leaders are never disclosed for the people to learn more about. Slavery, for example, is a part of its history that the government constantly tries to keep hidden. Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965 at 3:10 P.M. Many people believe that the FBI might have killed him. Whether or not he was killed by the FBI or by the NOI, the information would still be disclosed. The existence of Malcolm X was therefore vital to the American lifestyle because he was a bold man who was not afraid to speak his mind and by doing so he created consciousness of the harm that racial discrimination caused in humanity. (Goldman, 1979) Malcolm X as an Activist Malcolm X was an activist whose legacy will continue to live on for years to come. Along with other Civil Rights Movement leaders he influenced the way of life in America and today, evidence of this is seen during the month of February which is celebrated as the Black History Month. The impact his life and times made on the United States is priceless because his speeches brought respect for black people nationwide, gave them courage to speak their minds and defend their rights and created awareness of the negative effects of racial discrimination in the society. (White, 1975) By doing so he revolutionized the morals of millions of American citizens. While in prison, he set up a reading program in the prison library. After receiving good credit for this, he was transferred to Concord Reformatory for a year and three months. Malcolm moved forward in his life when he proposed to Betty X from a gas station over the phone, and she says that she will marry him. They get married two days later by a Justice of the Peace in Lansing, Michigan. In December 1958, he had his first daughter, Attilah, the first if their future six children. Starting January 1959 was when he began speaking at many of public events. After Malcolm X traveled to hold a meeting named the African Freedom Day Rally in United Arab Republic, Sudan and Nigeria, he was forced to come back to America due to his Visa. He never referred to black people as African-Americans. He called them Africans who live in America. Malcolm X's Hierarchy of Needs Chart Malcolm X, just like anybody else, needed air, water, and food supply to be able to survive. Fortunately this was given to him from his family who worked to supply him with what he needed to live. (Gallen, et. al. 1992) Since Malcolm's father was always threatened to be killed by white people, Malcolm needed safety. (Wolfenstein, 1981) The Whites might have killed him too after they killed his father. He needed a secure family, a secure home which he lacked. He achieved it when he went to live with his stepsister, Ella, in Boston. Even if it wasn't that secure, it still was enough to make him feel safer. Malcolm X needed to be loved and cared for by the people he lived and associated with. Malcolm had always achieved that need from his family. His father never touched him like he beat his other children up. His stepsister, Ella welcomed him to her house and let him stay wand live with her. Also, his brothers and sisters showed their love for him by writing him letters while Malcolm was in prison. Malcolm was loved by his girlfriend and many other people who had a chance to listen to the speeches he gave. After he read books and became oblivious to the religion of Islam, he started to gain his self-esteem understanding that his race was a beautiful one, and need to be valued just as much as the white race. His behavior changed; being a guy who "liked" to associate with white people and even acted and took their image, to a proud black man who was more than ever persistent to change the view point of this world. (Clark, 1969) Since he was black, many people, especially the white ones did not like him or respected him like they respected each other. After his growth of knowledge, intelligence and level of determination, Malcolm was rapidly gaining the respect of not only the people of his own race, but also of the white ones. This is when he finally achieved his esteem needs. Malcolm was able to fully comprehend his race and how much he should appreciate and love it when he was reading in jail. His desire to express his feelings, and convince the world that there should be no animosity but equality between blacks and whites, grew so much that it transformed into determination which lead to his future actions. It was not about him anymore; it was about the world. The civil status had to be changed; no more discrimination. Thinking only about the others and the different, more positive life the others could have, Malcolm reached his self - actualization. (Lomax, 1979) Conclusion The approach change of Malcolm X toward the white man caused to his break with Elijah Muhammad. In addition, was his growing doubt in the authenticity of Mr. Muhammad's version of the Muslim religion--a thought that became more of a reality as he gained more knowledge and experience within the religion. Malcolm X accused the Black Muslims saying that no one was more able to carry out this threat than that group. Malcolm, speaking to a crowd at the Audubon Ballroom, February 15, 1965, said he was at the end of the line. He wouldn't care for himself, he just didn't want his family harmed. He mobilized black America's dormant rage and put it to work politically. He made clear the price that white America would have to pay if it did not accede to black America's legitimate demands. By transforming black fears into white fears, he irrevocably altered America's political landscape. His ability to conquer his fear--and to inspire his followers to conquer theirs--suited him uniquely to his vital historical impact and position. From birth to death, the only thing more important in Malcolm's life than his color was his leadership in Black America. This too was greatly influenced. Malcolm X was best known as the violent leader of the times. He was much more. He was a man who struggled with men of other races and those of his own in a quest to define himself. He initially was unsure as to whether or not his skin color was a problem greater than his race and in many instances proved to be so. He witnessed his parents opposite actions towards him and noted that his light-skinned mother seemed to have a bigger problem with him being similar in tone. His father was fair-skinned and seemed to favor Malcolm over the darker complexion of the others. During the middle years of his short life Malcolm's problems came from being Black period. Malcolm had many problems with this. He conked his hair to make him appear closer to the whites, whom he was having the most problems with. Malcolm struggled for years with this. First trying to appear white and then associating himself with whites, to the point of dating a white girl. At this point, he acts as though he will be better off being white than attempting to build a better life for himself within the Black community. The highest points in Malcolm life come after he is accepted into the Nation of Islam and becomes almost unaware of his light skin. He is full of Black Pride and wants to spread this pride to every black man and woman in the nation. He ends up having problems with the Nation's leader, Elijah Muhammad, and disassociates himself from him and his teachings. Malcolm's greatest conversion came after his trip to Mecca. He returned with a new outlook towards color. It simply didn't matter. He became an advocate for human rights and spoke of this at every chance. After transcending the color barrier on all levels, Malcolm was able to focus on more important problems. He still had great pride in his race and highly disagreed with the actions of white America, but believed that fixing these problems had to be done on higher level. It takes every man to look past race and color and this would not happen anytime soon. He did believe, however, that it was well past time to start. He was above all else when it came to drawing attention to society's problems. Malcolm proved to many critics that progress could be made without direct use of politics and laws, but when fear is felt, actions will be taken to improve the situation, if only to the point of agreement rather than satisfaction. Malcolm had no internal struggle with color, he developed the ability to look far beyond and was able to use this eased tension to channel his attention to the global problems that were occurring. References Clark, John Henrik, Malcolm X: The Man and His Times, New York, Macmillan, 1969. Gallen, David and others. Malcolm As They Knew Him. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., 1992. Goldman, Peter L., The Death and Life of Malcolm X, University of Illinois Press, 1979. Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine Publishing, 1964 Lomax, Louis E., When the Word is Given...A Report on Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X and the Black Muslim World, Greenwood, 1979. Perry, Bruce. Malcolm, the Life of a Man Who Changed Black America. New York: Station Hill, 1991. White, Florence M., Malcolm X: Black and Proud, Garrard, 1975. Wolfenstein, Eugene V., The Victim of Democracy: Malcolm X and the Black Revolution, University of California Press, 1981. Read More