Assignment #3- Malcolm X

"Martin Luther King Jr. helped blacks get justice. He advocate the use of non-violent civil disobedience, a tactic first practiced by Ghandi", this statement sums up much of what I learned about the Civil Rights' Era throughout elementary school and high school. Much of the emphasis was placed on the work of MLK Jr., as books portrayed him as savior of the black population. Figures whose ideas proved too controversial or seemed "unpatriotic" were often dismissed . Malcolm X, a one-time member of the Nation of Islam an organization which approved of segragation and believed that African Americans should set up separate institutions for themselves, was a devote follower of Elijah Muhammed. Though he later left the organization due to a conflict of beliefs, Malcolm X rose to fame due to his period and gained a wide variety of followers who were attracted to his  intelligent and straightforward speech.

 He was an influential figure of the period whose ideas on the issue of racism and injustice evolved with the growth of his faith. Though known mostly for his controversial statements, the transformation of Malcolm X and his contributions to the Civil Rights Era should be studied. His position differed from that of MLK Jr. and other contemporaries, yet it is important that students nationwide understand the dynamics of the era and that not all individuals agreed with the tactics of organizations such as NAACP and SCLC.The legacy of Malcolm X lives on throughout several communities rather than just evaluate this figure by his words it is important to understand his position and how the institution of religion also played a role in this movement.

Cairo mosque, Sept. 1964
Photo by John Launois/Black Star