Living in the United States at a time where segregation and racism were prevalent, Malcolm Little managed to navigate his way through the system to become a household name. Changing his name to Malcolm X would prove to be the beginning of the legacy he left behind in death, which not everyone in our society today would agree was positive or necessary. Of all of the names people called him, Malcolm X was a Muslim, revolutionary, martyr, and black scholar.
As today’s young black men go through the struggle to find their identity and where they fit in society, Malcolm was subjected to that very thing as a youth. From foster homes, to living with his sister, to eventually venturing on his own, he found himself being sent to Charlestown State Prison for larceny and breaking and entering in 1946. During his prison stint, his siblings wrote him letters containing information about the Nation of Islam, which was a political and religious movement of African-Americans under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. Rising to become its head minister, Malcom X was credited with recruiting thousands of African Americans to the Muslim faith. He separated from the Nation of Islam to become a Sunni Muslim after a pilgrimage to Mecca where he found that there were many people of all colors that were Muslims.
As a minster and teacher, Malcolm X was a firm believer that African Americans in the United States should take pride in being black, so he formed a Black Nationalist organization called the Organization of Afro-American Unity. In the first speech on June 28, 1964 to the organization, he addressed many topics focusing on establishing unity amongst all human beings of African descent in the Western Hemisphere. “By any means necessary” was his approach of protecting ourselves in a land that discrimination because of our color results in violent acts against us. He states “The constitution clearly affirms the right to bear arms. And as Americans, we will not give up a single right guaranteed under the Constitution”. This action clearly showed his revolutionary mind. In the words of the late Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised… the revolution will be live.”
On February 21, 1965 before he could even start to address the OAAU in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom, Malcolm X was shot and killed by three men who were later believed to be members of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X had become known for his belief in blacks in the United States to be self-reliant and conscious of who they are. His organization of Muslim Mosque, Inc. proved be an act of rebellion against the Nation of Islam and despite their persistence in denying any involvement in his murder, all three of their members were found guilty. The dictionary defines martyr as a person who is killed because of their religion or other beliefs. Malcolm X is found among others when looking up martyrs.
In many ways, Malcolm X showed the world that he was knowledgeable in many areas. He showed Elijah Muhammed that he could not only learn but also teach all of the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm learned the practices of Muslims all over the world. Malcolm was invited to participate in numerous debates, including forums on radio stations (Los Angeles, New York, Washington), television programs (“Open Mind,” “The Mike Wallace News Program”) and universities (Harvard Law School, Howard University, Columbia University). Malcolm’s autobiography, which he worked on for two years with writer Alex Haley, was published in November 1965. This truly proves that he was a Black Scholar.
Malcolm X is definitely a name that most people have heard before, all over the world and in many different respects. Some of the conversations revolve around positivity and others have a negative connotation. As a black man in the United States in the year 2017, I am encouraged to have pride in being who I am and am not satisfied with the way this society identifies me. I choose to define my own identity despite how the world sees me on paper or in person. In an interview by Paul Kennedy of a talk radio show on CNC Radio, Dr. Cornell West states “Be true to who you are”. Because of Malcolm X the Muslim, Revolutionary, Martyr, and Black Scholar, I am proud of who I am. Walter P. Heyman III, Umoja Black Scholar!
