Malcolm X - Ballot or Bullet

During the month of February we are all taking time out to review from whence African Americans started from in this country, where we are and what possibly the future holds in store for us. This period of rememberence would not be complete without highlighting one of the most dynamic spokesman for African/American existence during the 60s. A period of intense struggling on the part of African/Americans to reach a position in American society as an equal entity. Brother Malcolm's exhortations for Black America to captain its own destiny through self-help and being responsible, was scorned and attempted to be belittled by the media, and certain sectors of both Black and White communities. But the message was strong and Malcolm had the ear of most of Black America. Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19 1925 in Omaha, Neb. His father Earl was an outspoken Baptist minister and supporter of Black Nationalist leader, Marcus Garvey. Because of threats against he and his family, Earl Little was forced to move his family twice before settling in Lansing, Michigan. Even there Earl was still an outspoken voice for Black Nationalism. The threats still followed. Eventually the family's home was burned to the ground. Earl's body was to be eventually found mangled, multilated and laying across the city's trolley tracks. The incident was ruled an accident, but the family was convinced it was murder. Did this incident along with his falling under the spell of the teachings of Elijah Mohammad shape Malcolms eventual exhortation for Black Nationalism? Don't know but would bet it was at least a partial instigator. In the beginning Malcolm preached the Black Muslim's doctrine regarding hatred for whites, seperatism, and from a religious standpoint all whites were descendents of the devil. As time went on a split with Elijah Muhammad occurred over the leader's affairs with six women within the organization. A situation that was against the very laws Muhammad insisted that all members must shun. As a matter of fact it was he that insisted that Malcolm and his fiance remain celibate until after their marriage. During the very year that Malcolm was mulling over the sincerity of Elijah's teachings, he made a pilgramige to Mecca, the Holy Place for all of Islam. There he viewed Moslems of all colors and cultures praying and worshiping in the name of brotherhood. Opened his eyes to a lot of things and one of them was the fact that the teachings that whites were to be hated as spawns of the devil was all wrong. Upon his immediate return, he made the final split with Muhammad and started his own following. A following that welcomed all people regardless of race. Here was a man that publicly declared his wrongness and did all in his power to rectify that wrong. It may have costed him his life, for on February 21 1965 Brother Malcolm was gunned down while giving a speech in the Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom. The three gunmen involved were members of Elijah Muhammad's organization. Ironically enough Malcolm's funeral was held at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem. Factual excerpts from the Estate of Malcolm X.