Malcolm X Malcolm X in my eyes can be one of the most inspiring human in anyone’s life. When he was young he was adventurous and did not stay tied down to one city or town. He was born in May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The family had soon moved to Lansing, Michigan where Malcolm spent most of his childhood. Soon after Malcolm dropped out of junior high, his sister Ella opened an opportunity for him to leave Lansing and go to Roxbury, Boston. Ella was a strong independent black woman, who supported Malcolm in any time of need. In Roxbury he meets Shorty, who becomes Malcolm’s best friend; also the man who got him his first job as a shoe shiner. This is when he first gets his experience in dealing with white customers. Slowly but steadily learning street knowledge from Shorty.
Later he would move again to Harlem. There he met Sammy, who was a pimp. Sammy was able to read women like a book. Malcolm would learn how and use it to read people later on. He was fast on his feet and adapting and taking in anything he can benefit from to survive in Harlem. Soon after West Indian Archie ran him out of Harlem because of a bet that neither was sure of who lost or won. He was well known gangster who ran the numbers racket. This is the beginning as to where Malcolm’s life would change. He ran away to back to Boston and starting burglarizing the neighborhood. February 1946 Malcolm was sentenced to jail and sent to Charlestown state prison along with shorty. They had an eight to ten year sentence not because of possession of a firearm or breaking in and entering, but because of having two white women who are middle class in the crew. This is definitely another event that made Malcolm dislike the “White Man” a little more unconsciously. 1947 in Charlestown state prison Malcolm meets the first of the few who would open his mind to the bigger picture. His name was Bimbi. Malcolm admired Bimbi for being able to be respected as a prisoner with just words. He did not use profane language and at the time Malcolms approach would not even compare to Bimbi’s. Bimbi grew a liking for Malcolm and told him to advantage of the prison library. He was already embarrassed with himself for not being able to write one legible sentence. His brothers would then show him the Nation of Islam.
Reginald the closest of his brother would preach to him the words of the honorable Elijah Mohammed. They would preach that the “White Man” is the devil. Malcolm was able to relate very easily because of his history of being an animal in the streets of Harlem. He would slowly visualize of all the incidents occurred by any white man. Remembering all the “White Man” who would party with him all the time, telling them they were equal but they would leave in a limousine towards a neighborhood a “Black Man” never dare be caught in at night. They would say that the “Black Man” is superior and had once ruled the world, when the “White Man” was still on all four in caves. “White Man” was a creation of Yacub who would curse the “Black Man” and create chaos. Malcolm dedicated his time in prison to reading and writing, even copying the whole dictionary. He lost some of his vision just because of reading so much during the “Lights out” in prison. Finally in 1952 Malcolm was released from prison and meets Elijah Muhammad. He quickly rose in ranks and became a minister in temple eleven in Boston by 1953. He dedicated his life to Elijah Muhammad, who saved his life in the depths of hell. He converted many into the Nation of Islam, always preaching Elijah’s words; he believed was true. Always loud and passionate in everything he did. All he wanted to do was show the light upon the people who needed saving, just as how Elijah had done for him. He wanted his brothers and sisters to have respect for them selves and to stop being the lackeys of the “White Man”. He would reveal that in America, where there is twenty-two million black men and yet there is so few that actually owns a business. All the stores in the ghettos are owned by white men and managed by the Jewish. He says as the Black people are becoming poorer the richer the white man gets. Malcolm was a man the only tried to acknowledge the truth backed up by facts. He tried to be ignorant as little as possible but stay firm to his beliefs. He also believed that integration was nothing but a sham. He would say that the “White Man” was just throwing them a “Bone” so they would settle down. Which in my opinion is very agreeable. Arguing that the “White Man” is two faced and that he preferred the white men from down south. It was because they would tell the truth no matter how ugly. Instead of grinning at the black men and really just thinking about themselves, these other men would flat out say integration is never feasible. Malcolm would agree.
The media always altered his image. The media would not put out what he actually said but put the halve truths. They would try to bring a controversy or scandal within the Nation of Islam. They even once tried to make it so that Malcolm was anti-Semitic. Malcolm started gaining a lot of influence starting with incident where a member of the nation was brutally beaten. He led a group of Muslims to the precinct and demanded he receive medical attention. They were in awe of his power to gather so many followers and making them disperse without a problem. Twelve years later from preaching the words of the nation, he had separated from them. Malcolm was lost and did not know what to do. Elijah Muhammad was accused of adultery; later finding out it was true from Elijah’s son Wallace.
Once he had separated he was a major threat to the Nation because he was already a huge influential figure. He was the man that created the throne for Elijah Muhammad. He was advised to have a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he would learn the real religion of Islam, Sunni Islam. Quickly he realized the hospitality difference than of America. Where there was no discrimination of color instead everyone was one under the religion of Sunni Islam. All ate as one and praised as one. Malcolm saw many signs by Allah to have the Pilgrimage. Meeting many white men who were completely different than America. This is where his prejudice for the “White Man” changed. Now believing that there are good white men. He realized that America was internally screwed up. To try and fix the problem he founded Muslim Mosque Inc. His new ideology was Pan- Africanism. Preaching that unity was the importance in economy, socially, and politically. At the same time Malcolm preached equality and that black men also have rights in the constitution.
The best is when Malcolm says why is it scary when a black man learns self-defense, but when a white man is learning it is ok and acceptable. For to long has the white men have oppressed the black men. Thus predicting the future of the imploding America if it were to continue. He insisted that if it were to continue, black men are to ultimately raise arms and demand respect as human beings and not as a race. Even though they would label him nasty words and make him look as if he was a villain, he still prevailed in speaking his mind. Whatever he believed was always for the better of his brothers and sisters living in America. There were always people black men who were “brainwashed” that would blindly follow and defend America’s white men image. If the jealous black men from the Nation of Islam had not assassinated him, America would be a lot different. Malcolm would have gotten rid of the ghettos with all the dedication he can produce. He would have given them knowledge by making the country invest more money into the educational system of the poor cities. He would definitely have spoken against the government investing so much in military technologies even when they have no money. In my opinion he could have been a great president for the United States. He had the voice of the public backing him for he was raised in the ghettos. He of all people knew what was really necessary to rid poverty and laziness. The religion of Islam is a great mechanic in creating self-discipline. Converting people left and right, making them give up any drug use and not to eat pork. Malcolm has such great discipline because he gave up on drugs that are highly addictive. Thus discipline able rid of laziness because it does not take minimal effort but takes the most effort. Learning how to survive with out going about it as he would usually. Creating a whole new different lifestyle for him and others creating the self-respect they have for themselves. Making the people feel happy about the achievements they achieved. He could have reorganized the mentality of not only black men but of any race for the better. He himself knew the influence he had gained from years of dedication for the people. Which is why he gave so many lectures in colleges. He knew that to change adults it is to change the youth’s state of mind. Make them more open minded and showing them there is a huge world in front of their lives other than just America.

Malcolm X. A great man that, once existed solely for the rights as Human Beings. A man who sacrificed himself for the better of not only people but nations.