Malcolm X

Malcolm X believed, for most of his life, that black people should operate separate and free from white American society. He took a slightly more integrative approach in his last years. Malcolm X, whose Arabic name was El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and who was born Malcolm Little, was born in Omaha, Nebraska in May 19 assassination. Malcolm Little became involved with the Nation of Islam while in prison. This Muslim organization believed blacks were superior to whites and was run by Elijah Muhammad. While still in his twenties, Malcolm dropped his last name and replaced it with "X." He also became a key spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, advocating self defense against the white race. He eventually left the Nation of Islam and dramatically softened his views on whites. The Nation of Islam felt that he betrayed them, and three of the organization's members assassinated Malcolm X in 1965.