Malcolm X

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Arabic: ٱلْحَاجّ مَالِك ٱلشَّبَازّ‎, romanized: al-Ḥājj Mālik ash-Shabāzz, May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965) also known as Malcolm X was an African American nationalist and civil rights activist. Before he became Malcolm X, his original name was Malcolm Little. Malcolm X's father was a Baptist minister whose skin was very dark, whilst his mother's skin was of a much lighter tone. His parents taught him to be proud of being black in an openly anti-black society. Malcolm X's father died when Malcolm was only six years old, leaving his mother in poverty.

Malcolm X
Malcolm X in March 1964
Born	Malcolm Little (1925-05-19)May 19, 1925 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	February 21, 1965(1965-02-21) (aged 39) New York City, U.S.
Cause of death	Assassination (gunshot wounds)
Resting place	Ferncliff Cemetery
Other names	el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (الحاجّ مالك الشباز)
Occupation(s)	Minister, activist
Organization(s)	Nation of Islam, Muslim Mosque, Inc., Organization of Afro-American Unity
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Movement	Black nationalism, Pan-Africanism
Spouse	Betty Shabazz (m. 1958)
Children	Attallah Shabazz Qubilah Shabazz Ilyasah Shabazz Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz Malikah Shabazz Malaak Shabazz
Parent(s)	Earl Little, Louise Helen Norton Little
Signature

In 1946, Malcolm was arrested at the age of 20 for armed robbery, but was released from jail 8 years later. He was introduced to the Nation of Islam and Islam while he was in jail, joining the Nation after he was released.

Actions

At first, Malcolm X's actions and speeches were mostly inspired by the beliefs and teachings of the Nation of Islam. He taught that all white people were bad. Once he learned that the leader of the Nation of Islam was in relationships with many women, he quit the group and changed his religion to Sunni Islam. He went on a pilgrimage to see the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. At this point, his opinions of white people got better, and he began to believe that white people could be good people, too. Malcolm X believed that black people should fight for their civil rights in any way they could, even if they had to become violent. He also thought that black people should support one another by shopping in stores owned by black people. He was critical of the civil rights movement.

Personal life

Malcolm X had six children with Betty Shabazz. He had six grandchildren. Malcolm Shabazz was killed in May 2013. He also has two great-grandchildren.

Death

See the main article: Assassination of Malcolm X

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot multiple times in New York City after preaching about black rights. Three members of the Nation of Islam had a part in his murder.

Further reading

• Malcolm X Collections: speeches, interviews and books