The True Malcolm X

Truth Seeker and Humanitarian

El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, otherwise known as Malcolm X is still a source of great controversy even 55 years since he appeared on the American political stage as a young minister of a fledging Islamic group. His mediocre rise was the result of his ability to deliver a message that capture the hearts of many, and yet put fear into the hearts of many more.

This young, bold captain would incur both the ire of not only the racially oppressive white mainstream of his time, but as well, that of white liberals who knew better, so they felt, how to fight for the Black cause; as well as the ire of the Black Civil Rights establishment who feared backlash from such strong demands as Malcolm put forward in favor of his people's liberation.

In 1946 Malcolm Little was convicted of burglary. Malcolm was given a 10 years prison sentence. While on locked down, he used the prison library to revive the study habits that'd made him an excellent student a decade early. This would start his path of enlightenment that was fermented through his brother Reginald who would frequently come to visit him while in prison. Reginald had converted to Islam and was a member of a relatively unknown Back Muslim group called the Nation of Islam; led by Elijah Muhammad.

Malcolm was paroled in 1952 after serving 7 years of his ten year sentence and immediately went to work in the Nation. He was given the surname "X" in place of "Little", as NOI members often did so that they could be rid of the "slave" name of their former masters, and until they could be given a new name.

Charismatic, articulate and statuesque, Malcolm X was soon made national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. He quickly established new Mosque in such place as Detroit, Michigan and Harlem, New York. The nation grew swiftly from hundreds to 30,000 under Malcolm's leadership in 10 years.