Malcolm X A Civil Rights Activist: As a leader of Nation of Islam As a Shiite Muslim

We will talk about… Hajj and Transformation Frictions with the Nation of Islam Malcolm as the Nation of Islam member What is Nation of Islam? Influences and Possible achievements

What is the Nation of Islam? Religion found by a traveling salesman W.D. Fard, aka Wallace Fard Muhammad 1 Sys. Of belief- Blends of black nationalism with their own interpretation of Islam. Successor Elija Muhammad and members resist the draft for WW2, recruit members from the ranks of black Prisoners. 2 1.Straub, Deborah. African American Voices. U.X.L, pg Harding, Vincent. We changed the world: African Americans, New York: Oxford University Press, pg.73

Ideas of Nation of Islam Black Supremacy - Black people were the original people White devils - Invented by mad scientist Yacub Rep. as a radical sect, conservative ideas - establishment of black-owned business, teaching discipline, self- defense, cleanliness, strict rules about behavior-alcohol drugs.. etc Receives the surname X as a symbol of the unknown African ancestry 1 1. Harding, pg. 74

Malcolm as a black Muslim Denouncement of Caucasians as a “White Devils” - condemned integration, interracial marriage, and mainstream political and asocial movements 1 Black Nationalism – Black people should constitute a single community, within the United States and have a right to determine their destiny Great influence from his father, Baptist minister and Marcus Garvey 2 1. Straub, pg Harding, pg. 142 “It’s not integration that Negroes in America want, it is human dignity” 3 “The black masses are tired of…these hand-picked Negro ‘leaders’ who sound like professional beggars, as they cry…for white America to accept us” 4 3. Harding, pg Harding, pg. 143

Frictions Within the group Elijah Muhammad’s rule - NOI members not participate in politics However Malcolm’s interest in social problems-racism, politics, economics-creates tension 1 Nov. 22, 1963, JFK assassination - Malcolm describes it as a case of “chickens coming home to roost” - Fed. Gov. irresponsibility on the racism in the south strike him back – Elijah silences Malcolm for 90 days 2 1. Straub, pg Harding, pg Harding, pg. 144 Discovers that Elijah Mohammad fathered children from two former secretaries - betrayal of his belief and devotion toward NOI 3

Hajj and Transformation 1964 resigns form NOI and forms the Muslim Mosque, Inc. - Threats and attempts of assassination of Malcolm follow Same year, Malcolm X makes his first pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia 1 1. Harding pg. 144

Hajj and transformation “The pilgrimage broadened my scope probably more in twelve days than my previous experience during my 29 years on this earth. I saw all races, and all colors—blue-eyed blonds to black skinned Africans—in true brother hood!” 1 1. Goldman, Peter. Black leaders of the twentieth century. Illinois: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, pg Harding, pg.144 Changes his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz 2

Hajj and Transformation Malcolm X publicly acknowledges the humanity of white people His transformation different from common belief- “racial climate in the United States remained poisoned against black people” 1 Still remained as a black nationalist and believer in black self- determination and self-organization 2 Flexible and wider group involved – acceptance of whites and Pan- Africanism-the unity of black people and a wider identification with the entire Third World against the colonialist and capitalist white West 3 1. Goldman, pg Harding, pg Goldman, pg

Influences and possible success Creation of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU)- advocated for independent black institutions, supported black participation in politics, ex. electoral campaigns. Planned to submit a petition to UN- documented human rights violations and acts of genocide against African Americans. But was not accomplished – Because of the assassination of Malcolm X on February 21, Harding, pg.145

Influences and Possible achievements Greater impact on black politics and culture after his death Black activist organization—SNCC, CORE— starts to support Malcolm’s ideas-self defense, racial pride, black-run institutions, African liberation Becomes the Black Power movement Black Panther party Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM) – founded by a group of black Ohio students. Led by Donald Freeman, agrees that self-defense was a necessary component of the black freedom movement 1 1. Harding, pg

The End “I believe in a society in which people can live like human beings on a basis of equality.”