Malcolm X

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, was a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement and a staunch advocate for black empowerment and liberation. Growing up in a society rife with racial discrimination and violence, Malcolm faced significant hardships, including the tragic death of his father under suspicious circumstances and his mother's institutionalization. These early experiences with systemic racism profoundly shaped his worldview. In 1946, Malcolm was sentenced to prison for burglary, where he encountered the teachings of the Nation of Islam (NOI). Upon his release in 1952, he adopted the name Malcolm X to symbolize the loss of his African heritage and quickly rose to prominence as one of the NOI's most influential leaders. Malcolm X's rhetoric and philosophy were characterized by his advocacy for black self-reliance, pride, and unity. He challenged the mainstream civil rights movement's emphasis on integration and nonviolence, advocatin