Systemic Oppression In Malcolm X

Malcolm X lived with systemic oppression from the day he was born, to the day he died. Just before his death, Malcolm believed that society could change from its’ oppressive and racist ways. Systemic oppression was the central idea that transformed him from being a rebellious adolescent to becoming a well-known black rights activist. Malcolm X was able to take the systemic oppression that he witnessed and lived in and made it into good at the end of his life. Malcolm X had three main key events in his life that all developed into one central idea- systemic oppression. Malcolm lived what one might call a rocky childhood. Malcolm witnessed his childhood home be set on fire by the KKK, and the murder of his father by the KKK. Ever since he …show more content…
Malcolm learned about the “true knowledge” (page 172). After Malcolm was released from prison, he finally met Elijah Muhammad, where they quickly grew fond and trusted each other. Malcolm ended up becoming the spokesman for the Nation of Islam and became one of their most important and influential ministers. Malcolm taught about the white devil, and about the systemic oppression that he, and others, had to face. Malcolm felt like he was doing the right thing by learning and preaching about Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. Malcolm later talked to the press about President Kennedy’s assassination, even when he was strictly ordered not to release any statement about it. Because of this, the Nation of Islam got more hate from the people than they already had. Malcolm was immediately put into “isolation” where he was not able to attend the Temple, speak, or be spoken to by a member of the Nation of Islam. During this time, Elijah Muhammad ordered the killing of Malcolm by the Nation of …show more content…
Malcolm went on the required Islamic Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca. Here, he learned about the true peacefulness of Islam, and what the religion actually practices. During his time in Mecca, Malcolm saw the complete integration of all races and colors. Seeing this, Malcolm was able to see how much more systemic oppression America had than the Middle East. Malcolm was able to see that if there was absolutely no problem with race, than maybe America would be able to have this. Because of this, Malcolm changed his thoughts and became the peaceful black rights activist the world knows today. His trip to Mecca definitely had the biggest influence on Malcolm, even if it was only for a short amount of time before his death. “I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept in the same bed, while praying to the same God, with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, and whose hair was the blondest of blonde, and whose skin was the whitest of white.” (page 347). In this event, the reader can see where the Malcolm is developing into a more peaceful and hopeful person. Malcolm sees the difference between Mecca, where there is no problem with color or race, and America, where there still is