Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha Nebraska. (1) His parents, Earl Little and Louise Norton, were both activists. Because of their political views, they constantly received threats from white supremacists. They were forced to move several times, before settling in East Lansing, Michigan in 1929. Despite efforts to move away from these troubles, their home was burned down in 1929. In 1931, Earl Little was run over by a street car and killed. The police ruled both of these accidents. (4)
Following Earl’s death, the Little family began to suffer economically. Louise Little’s mental health began to decline, and in 1939, she was declared legally insane and moved to a mental asylum. Malcolm moved to Boston and became increasingly involved in crime. He was arrested in 1946 for breaking and entering. (4) …show more content…
(4) They believed that Christianity was a white religion that was forced upon African Americans during slavery, and that Islam was closer to their African identity. They also believed that integration should not be a main goal. Rather, African Americans should build their own communities. The Nation of Islam particularly attracted many followers in prisons, such as Malcolm. (2)
After Malcolm was released from prison in August of 1952, he became a minister of the Nation of Islam and began to use the surname “X” to represent his lost African name. (4) He quickly became the most popular minister in the organization. (3) By 1954, Malcolm X became the minister of New York Temple No. 7, and would later establish temples in several other cities.
Following Earl’s death, the Little family began to suffer economically. Louise Little’s mental health began to decline, and in 1939, she was declared legally insane and moved to a mental asylum. Malcolm moved to Boston and became increasingly involved in crime. He was arrested in 1946 for breaking and entering. (4) …show more content…
(4) They believed that Christianity was a white religion that was forced upon African Americans during slavery, and that Islam was closer to their African identity. They also believed that integration should not be a main goal. Rather, African Americans should build their own communities. The Nation of Islam particularly attracted many followers in prisons, such as Malcolm. (2)
After Malcolm was released from prison in August of 1952, he became a minister of the Nation of Islam and began to use the surname “X” to represent his lost African name. (4) He quickly became the most popular minister in the organization. (3) By 1954, Malcolm X became the minister of New York Temple No. 7, and would later establish temples in several other cities.