Malcolm X

Malcolm X http://malcolmx.com/biography/       A hero is “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. Malcolm X is one of the most monumental people the most to take effect on the civil rights movement. What sets X apart from Rosa Parks or MLK. as well as many other icons  was that he was so determined to make a change that he was not only willing to take the peaceful. X grew up in Omaha Nebraska with his mother and father along with 10 siblings. X’s father, Earl Little was a preacher who was murdered by the KKK when Malcolm was just 6 years old. Malcolm didn't realize at the time but this was what first event in his life that lead him to want to make a change in the world. After 8th grade Malcolm dropped out of school and began his criminal lifestyle, this part of Malcolm's life came to an abrupt stop when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison due to robbery. When he was released from prison he was determined to not only make a change in his life but the world around him as well. X has gone throughout multiple obstacles in his like such as the murder of his father and multiple other minor situations that would occur, however the last straw was his prison experience. While in jail for the 10 years he was constantly learning more and more about the Islamic religion but mostly Elijah Muhammad, who became an icon in Malcolm's eyes after learning more and more about him.  This was just the peak of X’s movement. Malcolm X not only used his voice to speak to African Americans but he was courageous enough to preach to all races at that. This made his message more powerful simply because more where now listening, X vowed to get his message across “by any means necessary”.

           Malcolm X pushed the envelope in many ways when it came to his speaking, X spoke freely as well as to all races  no matter what it might cost him, and being and African American living in that heavily segregated time was extremely courageous. X preaching to other races made what he was doing much more dangerous than what it already was. In the 1960’s being born an African American man, your life is already at risk because of the KKK and people who don't like African Americans as a whole, X being so passionate about this showed how much he craved equality. When X’s career began taking off it was inevitable that the people who enjoyed the segregation of blacks wouldn't like Malcolm X. It was soon obvious that Malcolm was not safe being in public and anywhere without multiple bodyguards by his side. Every time Malcolm X  spoke in front of large crowd he was constantly putting himself at risk, simply because he was easily willing to risk himself just for even the slightest bit of change. Malcolm's interest in the Islamic religion soon surfaced again, X began studying the teachings of NOI leader Elijah Muhammad. Later, In the 1950's Malcolm soon met the Elijah Muhammed while in Chicago. ¨Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.¨X was not violent just because he chose to be, as stated in the quote above X was only violent as he had to be which made his message intense more. X was often compared to Martin Luther King Jr. but those who really listened to Malcolm X preach knew that X and MLK essentially wanted the same things for society. What set X apart was the simple fact that he was willing to do absolutely whatever it takes for equality, using non-violence or violence. MLK took the peaceful approach. Every civil rights leader publicly speaking is already putting themselves at risk. X being courageous enough to preach to every as well as the black Muslim religion as well a being basically open to violence was not only an act of bravery but showed his courageousness.                                        

               During the 1950’s the civil rights community was huge, there for standing out as much as Malcolm X did was a definite task. What made X stand out at this time, the reason why we still talk about him today is because he took to such and intelligent approach behind every action he took as well as every word he uttered. X always had something to say to everyone listening, rather than just preaching to whites or blacks he would speaking to everyone and this was key because the goal was to get everyone listening.

X soon before his death http://malcolmx.com/biography/             Malcolm X not only spoke but preached to all audience , everyone listening to him no matter what age, religion race or even gender could always relate to something he said. Malcolm took every possible approach that he could to get people to not only hear the words he said but really understand and listen. Most believe that when X  took the violent approach it was wrong and peace was key, I believe that Malcolm made the right choice because he didn't want to come off as a pushover yet he didn't want to become a bully to get his way either. What X craved was a voice, when that was earned he used it to the fullest in the most effective way possible. Word by word X was changing the world as he and other challenges African American. This was when people really began to know the name Malcolm X, along with that becomes many consequences for people who still harbored hatred in their heart. Malcolm X was and still his name lives on as a hero, our world today has been shaped not only by him but other civil rights leaders, but X would not stop until he saw effect.

Malcolm X tuned not only his life around from being an imprisoned 8th grade drop out to being an international hero, but we all can thank him for the equality that we are so lucky to live in today. Malcolm X not only used his voice to speak to African Americans but he was courageous enough to preach to all races at that. This made his message more powerful because more where listening, X vowed to get his message across “by any means necessary”. Malcolm X exercised his intelligence and creativity throughout his life, even while in prison while most are sitting and rotting he was making a new plan for his life that benefits others more than it benefits him. What X did in his life is more than most can say, to say the least. Malcolm X has inspired me to essentially get back up when I'm down, but most importantly to not always put myself first and look at the bigger picture. Malcolm's life wasn't too horrible, he didn't face too much segregation throughout his life. It was others that he felt the need to help. As I grow I hope to carry some of the characteristics that X said to better myself such as he did. Malcolm is without a doubt not only a hero but a role model. Malcolm X died a great hero as a result of someone who still carried hate in their heart on February 1st 1965. Malcolm's legacy still lives on, even though his life was brutally taken.