It would be nearly impossible for anyone to go to any part of the U.S. of A. and find someone who doesn't know who Martin Luther King Jr. was. He was arguably the most the most famous civil rights activist in America until he was assassinated April 4, 1968. Dr. King was given a holiday which is on the 19 of January.It is sad to say that the same can not be said for the late Malcolm X. Who is Malcolm X you might say? Malcolm Little was born on May 15, 1925 in Omaha Nebraska. His father, Earl Little was an outspoken Babtist preacher and was a strong supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1926 the Little family was threatend by the Ku Klux Klan. The Littles then moved to Lansing Michigan. In 1931 Earl Little was run over by a car and killed. The authorities claimed the death as an accident, however there was much debate in the black community whether it had been murder by the Black Legion, a white supremascist group who had threatend the Littles several times.Soon after Earl's death, Malcolm's mother had a nervous breakdown and was sent to an asylum, and all of the Little children were sent to various foster homes. Malcolm was of the top three students accademically in junior high school, but dropped out after being discouraged by his favorite teacher who said that Malcolm's dream of becoming a lawyer were "no realistic dream for a negro". Malcolm later moved to Boston Massachusetts where he was later arrested for attempted burglary. Malcolm was was sent to prison for ten years. While in prison, Malcolm became a member of the Islam Nation.After his release he adopted the name of Malcolm X and became an assistant minister in a mosque. Malcolm quickly rose through the ranks of the Nation of Islam and became a very influential and dynamic speaker. Malcolm is credited for the rise and conversion of 500 American Islam members in 1952 to over 25,000 members in 1963. During that time, Malcolm was married in 1958 to Betty X. Together they had six daughters.Malcolm got into a bit of public speaking trouble and was banned by the Nation of Islam from preaching for 90 days. Malcolm then left the Nation of Islam and began a Black Nationalizing Organization. This organization was a bit extreme but was a strong and firm voice for the black community. Malcolm's most famous quote was "By any means neccessary." In 1963 Malcolm took a pilgrimage to Mecca. Two years later on February 21 1965, as Malcolm was giving a speech to around 400 people in Manhattan, three men rushed onto the stage and shot Malcolm fifteen times with a shotgun and handguns. Malcolm was shortly pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.On February 23-26, 1965 14,000-30,000 people attended Malcolm's funeral. Many described him as their "Shining Black Prince". Many would later go on to remember and be inspired by Malcolm, while others would look at him as a criminal.I view Malcolm X as a strong and inspirational man. He may not have had the greatest past, but he did the best that he could with what life had given him. I truly think that he sghould be given a holiday as well as Dr. King.
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