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Born: May 19, 1925
 * __ Malcolm X __** [[image:http://worderpress.caraway1965.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/malcolm-x-2.jpg width="338" height="367"]]

Died: February 21, 1965

Malcolm was an African-American Civil Rights. His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and avid supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Malcolm was rasied in a childhood of voilence.

Unlike many other African American leaders of this time, who supported nonviolent methods, Malcolm X believed in using more aggressive measures in the fight for civil rights. Malcolm X soon became the most visible national spokesman for the Black Muslims. As the voice of the organization Malcolm was a speech-writer, a philosopher, and an inspiring speaker who was often quoted by the media. Malcolm criticized those African Americans who used nonviolent methods in order to achieve integration. Malcolm X called for self-defense in the face of white violence. He preached that the high crime rate in black communities was basically a result of African Americans following the lifestyle of Western, white society.

During this period Malcolm X urged black people not to participate in elections. These elections meant supporting the immoral political system of the United States. Racial tensions were reaching a boiling point, and white Americans grew fearful of Malcolm X and his message of black supremacy. Intelligent and articulate, Malcolm was appointed a minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Malcolm utilized newspaper columns, radio and television to communicate the Nation of Islam's message across the United States. Near the end of his life Malcolm X had changed his views on civil rights, He now emphasized unity and change through black pride and respect for oneself rather than through hate and revenge. He was now seen more optomistic than before.

At a speaking engagement in the Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965 three gunmen rushed Malcolm onstage and shot him 15 times at close range. Fifteen hundred people attended Malcolm's funeral in Harlem at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ on February 27, 1965. Since his death Malcolm X's influence on the political and social thinking of African Americans has been enormous, and the literature about him has only grown. Friends: Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Rosa Parks, Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), and Black Muslims.

Enemies: Caucasians

Bibliography:

Toonari. "Malcolm X." //Malcolm X//. Web. 22 Dec. 2009. . Advameg, Inc. "Malcolm X." //Malcolm X//. Advameg Inc, 2009. Web. 22 Dec. 2009. .