| Malcolm X is a self-educated ( negro ) Muslim who got | | | | reason, he believed that the Negro race should |
| fame by bringing basically two philosophies to the | | | | embrace their African-ness and build the race up from |
| forefront of the 1950s and 1960s civil war | | | | within itself; a theory not dissimilar from those of |
| Malcolm developed and tried to promote a philosophy | | | | Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey. |
| of independence and freedom for the Negro race | | | | After a split from the so-called Black Muslim groups, |
| through racial and national separation. Along with this | | | | headed by Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm embarked on |
| philosophy came a seemingly deep-set hatred for the | | | | his pilgrimage to Mecca--the Hajj. On his Hajj, Malcolm, |
| white race with him often referring to them as a race | | | | or El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, saw a different side of the |
| of white devils. | | | | Islamic religion. What he saw was Islam in its purest |
| His philosophy was met with much controversy. The | | | | form. He witnessed Muslims of every race and color |
| theory of racial and national separation was in direct | | | | co-existing as brothers and sisters, with no hate-filled |
| contrast with the theories of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther | | | | agendas or separatist notions. This Hajj pilgrimage had |
| King Jr. Dr. King's philosophy included non-violent | | | | a profound effect on his thinking and philosophies. Upon |
| protest and a vision of a raceless society. Although | | | | return to the states, Malcolm took on a position |
| Malcolm's religion was an inherently peaceful one, he | | | | regarding the civil rights movement and the struggle of |
| believed that if the Negroes were attacked in any | | | | Blacks that was more closely related to the teachings |
| way, it would be fine to use force in retaliation. | | | | and preaching of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Because of this view, many regarded Malcolm and the | | | | and other pro-integration activists. |
| rest of the Black Muslims as militant. | | | | At the heart of the civil rights movement, Malcolm X's |
| According to Malcolm, the idea of integration was a | | | | voice seemed to be almost directly oppositional to the |
| futile one. He believed that the American | | | | philosophies presented by the majority of prominent |
| socioeconomic system was unable to give Blacks | | | | leaders. Although Brother Malcolm was preaching |
| what they were really looking for--"mass class | | | | different, more 'mainstream' ideas in the short time |
| mobility". Also, if integration were to happen, the best | | | | before his death, he will forever be remembered for |
| the Black race would be able to expect was an entry | | | | his fiery will to change the fate of the Black race "By |
| into the lowest levels of the working class.1 For this | | | | Any Means Necessary". |