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Malcom X is born
Malcom X was born in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. At the age of 3 he moved to Lansing, Michigan. In 1931 his father was murdered by a white supremacist group. A while after that, his mother had to be admitted to an insane asylum called the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. (http://projects.leadr.msu.edu/malcolmxinlansing/items/show/27) -
Criminal Activity
At the age of 6 him and his siblings started living in foster homes due to their parent situation. Malcom dropped out of school after the 8th grade. He moved to Boston and became involved in criminal activities. At one point, he became a drug dealer, leader of a gang of thieves and had a nickname called "Detroit Red." He was sentenced to prison for larceny and breaking and entering. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malcolm-X) -
The Nation of Islam
In 1946 he was sent to prison for 6 years. While in prison, he learnt the teachings of Elijah Muhammed, leader of the Nation of Islam (Black muslims.) While educating himself more and more on this, he officially joined the Nation. During his time in prison he changed his last name to "X" to show rejection of his slave name. (https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/malcolm-x-imprisoned.html) -
Life After Prison
In 1952, X was released from prison. Since he was free, he met Elijah Muhammad. As per getting more motivated by Elijah, he started working to organize temples for the Nation in many states like; Boston, NYC and Philadelphia. In addition, he helped lead the Nation during its period of growth and recognition (https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/malcolm-x-imprisoned.html) -
Malcom Changes Terms
From 1955-1965, X preached about discrimination against blacks and continued to teach about the NOI. Between these years, in 1985, he got married to Betty Shabazz. Furthermore, it was brought to peoples attention that his thoughts clashed with MLK's thoughts as he claimed his were not the "most important issues." Lastly, in the late 1960's, Malcom was able to change the term from "Negros" to "Black, and Afro-American!" (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malcolm-X) -
Minister Malcom
Around the 1960's, one of his greatest achievements was becoming the minister of the Boston Temple #11 and Temple #7 in Harlem. With his help, the Nation of Islam grew from 400 followers in 1952 to 40,000 in 1960. Later on, Elijah Muhammed declared Malcom as 2nd representative of the Nation, after himself. (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/malcolm-x) -
Pilgrimage to Mecca
During the year of 1964, he left the NOI and headed to his pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. After this life changing trip, he changed his name to a muslim name, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. In 1965 he founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity, in order to change civil rights to basic human rights. (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/malcolm-x) -
Death
Malcom X, age 39, was assassinated on February 21st 1965 while giving a lecture in Manhattan. He was tragically shot 15 times by 3 gunmen who were in fact apart of the Nation of Islam. 1,500 people showed up on the day of his funeral. (https://www.malcolmx.com/)
