Malcolm X

Malcolm X is shown on his trip back to the motherlandhttps://malcolmx.com/biography/"Afro-Americans should not be victims any longer," he declared.  "Bloodshed is a two-way street ... , dying is a two-way street ... , killing is a two-way street." (St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture 4). This was stated by Malcolm X as he discussed the racially powered emotions of the time period.  May 19, 1925 a hero was born. Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska into a family of 8. His father, a baptist preacher, named Earl Little was the organizer for the Universal Negro Improvement.  Malcolm's life was difficult due to his father's opposing beliefs about white people which caused constant berating from white power groups. Malcolm´s childhood home was burned and destroyed with him inside by the Black Legion (a white supremacy group), and his family was ran out of town multiple times. On September 28, 1931, Malcolm's father was killed.  He was rammed by a bus, his skull was crushed and his body was nearly split in half. The insurance company claimed that his father had committed suicide and refused to give the family the money from their insurance policy. Welfare workers began to constantly visit their house and pressure all members of the family to turn on each other and break up their family.   Before long it began to work and Malcolm's mother was labeled “Mentally disabled”. Malcolm was separated from his mother and his siblings. As Malcolm became older, he began to turn to a life of crime and was convicted on many different felonies. Upon being sentenced to ten years in prison, Malcolm turned to God for advice. After 7 years in prison, Malcolm was granted parole and joined the Nation of Islam.  He was a firm believer that whites were the cause of the world’s problems. He believed that there was no hope for African-Americans in America and that all African-Americans should return to the homeland of Africa. Malcolm inspired many others to follow him and rise up against the tyranny of white in America. He continued to inspire people for many years, until he was murdered by members of his own Nation of Islam.  His influential words are among the greatest ever and truly name him a hero. A hero has to see a problem in the world and work to change it and a hero must also help others rise up to a new level. Malcolm X saw the problem of racism and hatred in America and worked to free African-Americans from it's cold, hard shackles. Malcolm X worked to provoked others into leaving the land in which they were not wanted and return to the Motherland. Malcolm X inspired many into challenging the problem of racism in America and encouraged them to do something about it.

Malcolm X leading a rally for Black Rightshttps://www.biography.com/people/malcolm-x-9396195A hero must find a problem in the world and work to make the change that is required to solve it.   Malcolm X is a perfect example of this. Malcolm saw the problem of racism and worked to fix it. He offered solutions and helped others remove themselves from the society where they would face the problem of racism.  For example, “Malcolm X used fiery rhetoric to launch an uncompromising and fearless assault on America's racial hypocrisy at home and abroad. When confronted by a violent white oppressor, he argued, the oppressed must use ‘any means necessary’ to achieve their liberation. ‘Afro-Americans should not be victims any longer,’.”(St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture 4). Malcolm X saw the problem of the racial bigotry in society and knew something had to be done.  Malcolm was a charismatic speaker who gripped the attention of entire communities. He used his words to change the mindsets of both the racially oppressed and the oppressors and took part in slowly wearing down the racism and hatred in the heart of our society. “Malcolm X was a influential civil rights leader that believed that there was no purpose of African-Americans staying in the United States of America. He believed they should return to the homeland of Africa and believed all white people were evil and corrupted.” (Encyclopedia of World Biography 5). This proves how Malcolm X saw the problem of racism in America and was wise enough to realize that staying there was not the answer.  He knew that returning to there true origin is the only thing that would truly remove the chains of racism from all African-Americans in America.  Malcolm X was a hero because he was able to see the problem of racism in America and worked to offer solutions.

Malcolm X holding a newspaper stating " Our freedom can't wait"https://www.fosterclub.com/blog/foster-famous/malcolm-xSomeone that is a hero must help others rise up and become heroes themselves, which was one of Malcolm X’s key ideas.  Malcolm X was a courageous advocate for the African-American community. He inspired many and helped others rise up and change the  society that didn't want them. An example of this is “Malcolm X was African-American Muslim leader and black nationalist activist whose militant advocacy of black pride, separatism, and armed self-defense foreshadowed the Black Power movement of the late 1960s” (Encyclopedia of World Biography 5). This is an example of how Malcolm was able to motivate a whole movement and group that rose up to make positive changes in the world.  He was able to influence others to realize their true potential and help them become heroes or members of the Black Panther movement, whose positive impacts were key to improvements of society.  As with many heroes, his impact was far reaching. “The legacy of Malcolm X has continued to live on into the twenty-first century, and his reach has become global. During his lifetime, he worked to create links between the people of Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. According to scholar Peniel Joseph, those efforts continue to set off ‘political, religious, and cultural reverberations.’” (St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture 4 ). Malcolm X inspired many with his influential words and caused others to rise up and realize the oppression they had been going through themselves. This has had major effects in the world and effectively caused people to take a look at themselves and change themselves for the better such as the people in Africa, Middle East, and America. Malcolm X is a hero for his ability to help others rise up and become better.

To be a hero one must see a problem in the world, work to solve it, and help others rise up to better themselves. Malcolm X did all these things, he saw the problem of racism in America and worked to solve it. In doing this, he also encouraged many to become better and not fool themselves into believing they are lesser than someone else.  Malcolm X inspired many with his powerful words and imagery, and was able to change the way many saw themselves. His influential ideas sparked the rise of the Black Panther party and made his ideals known by many for years to come. He was a powerful leader, known for his persuasive language and dominating concept, and was able to inspire a country that could have fell to shambles without him.  Even in death his words continue to spark change in a society, where change is almost impossible. Coming from nothing, Malcolm X managed to change the world. In conclusion, Malcolm X is an inspirational hero because of his ability to see a problem in the world, work to solve it, and help others rise up to greatness.