Assess the short term significance of Malcolm X in advancing civil rights for African Americans between the years 1952-1965
Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam in 1952, it is in this organization where Malcolm X quickly rose to be seen as a leading civil rights activist for African Americans between the years 1952 – 1965. It has been argued Malcolm X used this position to advance civil rights for African Americans through his ability to communicate new unconventional ideas and be the independent voice of African Americans. As well as his unique leadership style which united African Americans together; Sources 1 and 2 support this view as they show how Malcolm X was determined to speak his views as well as uniting the black community. On the
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Source 1 supports this stating ‘We don't go for segregation. We go for separation. Separation is when you have your own. You control your own everything’ . This shows how Malcolm X inspired black people to refuse to look inferior to the white man because he would not accept the word segregation only separation and wanted black people to do the same so the black community knew they were not lesser, but that they were equal and should have rights on their own community just like the white community. This could be argued to advance civil rights because it helped change the mind set of African Americans it got them to think about the position they are in and what they should do about it. This is corroborated by Source 5 which suggest that for African Americans to truly become independent they must become autonomous ‘it was based on land, the basis of independence’ . This indicates Malcolm X had no intention on integrating with the white community he believed ‘a separate country for black people in America should be created’ This would have reverberated with the black people who heavily desired their