Malcom X Black Panthers

Objectives Explain why Malcolm X believed black Americans needed a nation of their own—separate from the United States—to improve themselves. Articulate the reasons why Malcolm X thought integration was a false hope for blacks in America. Explain why Malcolm X disagreed with both the goal and the method of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s nonviolent protest strategy.

Background Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and avid supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey Malcolm was a smart, focused student. He graduated from junior high at the top of his class. However, when a favorite teacher told Malcolm his dream of becoming a lawyer was "no realistic goal for a n*****," Malcolm lost interest in school. 1942, Malcolm was coordinating various narcotics, prostitution and gambling rings. In 1946, Malcolm was sentenced to 10 years in prison

In Prison He used the time to further his education Malcolm began to study the teachings of NOI leader Elijah Muhammad Muhammad taught that white society actively worked to keep African-Americans from empowering themselves and achieving political, economic and social success. Among other goals, the NOI fought for a state of their own, separate from one inhabited by white people. By the time he was paroled in 1952, Malcolm was a devoted follower with the new surname "X."

A Born Leader Intelligent and articulate Appointed as a minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam Elijah Muhammad also charged him with establishing new mosques in cities such as Detroit, Michigan and Harlem, New York Utilized newspaper columns, as well as radio and television to communicate the NOI's message across the United States. Was largely credited with increasing membership in the NOI from 500 in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963.

A Test of Faith Relationships within the NOI "[Kennedy] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon,“ Elijah Muhammad "silenced" Malcolm for 90 days In March 1964 Malcolm terminated his relationship with the NOI Malcolm decided to found his own religious organization, the Muslim Mosque, Inc. Renouncing the separatist beliefs of the Nation He claimed that the solution to racial problems in the United States lay in orthodox Islam.

Growing Hostility The growing hostility between Malcolm and the Nation led to death threats and open violence against him. On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm was assassinated while delivering a lecture at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem; three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of the murder His martyrdom, ideas, and speeches contributed to the development of black nationalist ideology and the Black Power movement Helped to popularize the values of autonomy and independence among African Americans in the 1960s and '70s

Black Panthers In October of 1966, in Oakland California, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Practiced militant self-defense of minority communities against the U.S. government Fought to establish revolutionary socialism through mass organizing and community based programs. The party was one of the first organizations in U.S. history to militantly struggle for ethnic minority and working class emancipation A party whose agenda was the revolutionary establishment of real economic, social, and political equality across gender and color lines

Black Panther Theory The practices of the late Malcolm X were deeply rooted in the theoretical foundations Followed Malcolm's belief of international working class unity across the spectrum of color and gender Thus united with various minority and white revolutionary groups.