Malcolm X, an American Nation of Islam minister and a prominent Black Nationalist leader, dedicated his life to finding a solution to the “spiritual, mental, moral, economic, and political sickness” (X, 251) that plagued American’s black population throughout their history in America. Malcolm X’s motivations behind his radical activism varied throughout his life. However, each motivation was deeply rooted in both his ideological influences and his desire for a sense of belonging and purpose. Malcolm X’s views of racial conflict in America evolved from naïve conformist, to extreme segregationist, and later to a humanist who advocated the “Oneness of Man.” Throughout his life, the primary influence upon his various religious ideologies and political
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Malcolm X claimed that this group of African Americans “were being their natural selves and not putting on airs” (X, 51); therefore, he was able to feel relaxed and comfortable around this group compared to the “Hill Negros of Roxbury” (X, 49), who Malcolm X describes as “trying to imitate white people” (X, 48). Malcolm X begins to fully immerse himself in this newfound lifestyle and begins to gamble, smoke, and adapt his behavior to that of the Harlem black subculture. Ironically, Malcolm adopts the popular clothing style of the zoot suit and the hairstyle of the conk, which chemically straightens his natural, kinky hair to resemble the straight, slicked back hair sported by Caucasians during that time period. Malcolm X later reflects that this “was [his] first … big step towards self-degradation,” claiming that he had “joined that multitude of Negro men and women in America who … violate and mutilate their God-created bodies to try to look ‘pretty’ by white standards” (X, 64). At this time, Malcolm X recognized the racial epidemic present in America at the time; however, he claims that at the time he was “brainwashed into believing that … black people are ‘inferior’—and white people [are] ‘superior’” (X, 64). Therefore he did nothing to challenge the system of racial inequality because subconsciously he believed that segregation was of natural
Malcolm X claimed that this group of African Americans “were being their natural selves and not putting on airs” (X, 51); therefore, he was able to feel relaxed and comfortable around this group compared to the “Hill Negros of Roxbury” (X, 49), who Malcolm X describes as “trying to imitate white people” (X, 48). Malcolm X begins to fully immerse himself in this newfound lifestyle and begins to gamble, smoke, and adapt his behavior to that of the Harlem black subculture. Ironically, Malcolm adopts the popular clothing style of the zoot suit and the hairstyle of the conk, which chemically straightens his natural, kinky hair to resemble the straight, slicked back hair sported by Caucasians during that time period. Malcolm X later reflects that this “was [his] first … big step towards self-degradation,” claiming that he had “joined that multitude of Negro men and women in America who … violate and mutilate their God-created bodies to try to look ‘pretty’ by white standards” (X, 64). At this time, Malcolm X recognized the racial epidemic present in America at the time; however, he claims that at the time he was “brainwashed into believing that … black people are ‘inferior’—and white people [are] ‘superior’” (X, 64). Therefore he did nothing to challenge the system of racial inequality because subconsciously he believed that segregation was of natural