Malcolm X Research Paper

Malcolm X went through extraordinary changes and beliefs throughout his life. Starting with the Nation of Islam, he began with supporting black separatism and he believed in the superiority of the black race. Malcolm’s perspective shifted after his pilgrimage to Mecca, from April 13 through May 21st, in 1964, and from there, he embraced a more all-in approach focused on harmony and equality. He started to distance his beliefs from the Nation of Islam’s “supremacy of the black race” mindset and became disapproving of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. As he grew older, Malcolm began to adapt to the global perspective, speaking out against the power of just the ruling by one “emperor” and in this case “black lordship” and Malcolm

Elijah believed and taught in the idea that African Americans should separate themselves from the white society and build their own identity and foundation. Malcolm X found Elijah through his family members in 1948, while he was in prison, he received a letter from his older brother telling how he and his family had converted to The Nation Of Islam and he explained how it was a program “designed to help black people”. After reading the letter, Malcolm X dug up information on the Nation Of Islam and began his walk from there. Elijah's teachings really stuck with Malcolm, it shaped his beliefs and influenced his perspective. Because of Elijah Muhammad's powerful message dedicated to black empowerment and self-determination, Malcolm emerged as a highly influential figure in the civil rights movement. Later in life, Elijah and Malcolm had differences and personal conflicts. All-in-all, it’s clear that the start of their relationship and Elijah’s influential worldview teachings were key in shaping Malcolm X's role in the fight for racial equality

Born in 1877, from God knows where, he appeared in Detroit in 1930, around the time that Elijah Muhammad started the Nation Of Islam. Wallace Fard established the Allah Temple of Islam. Fard claimed to be the incarnation of God and taught a message of black empowerment and self-reliance, the same as Elijah Muhammad. He promoted the importance of high life expectancy, less poverty and encouraged his followers to build their businesses and foundation. Fard's emphasis on self-respect, self-discipline, and self-reliance related to Malcolm X's own beliefs and experiences. Fard's teachings also had a huge influence on Malcolm X, leading him to eventually turn away from white society and support the rights and empowerment of African