Malcolm X was an African American and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X’s main focus was race pride and black nationalism during the 1950's.  In New York, Malcolm X was assassinated.

Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X, was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His mother, Louise Norton Little, was a stay at home mom caring for eight children. Malcolm’s father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister for their church and also supported a Black Nationalist Leader by the name of Marcus Garvey. Due to Earl protesting against black rights, white supremacists would send death threats to him and his family, which caused the family to relocate. His father’s body was found two years later lying across the town’s trolley tracks. After the death of his father, Malcolm’s mother Louise suffered emotional breakdowns for several months. Louise was sent to a mental institution where she was separated from her children, and they were all sent to various orphanages and foster homes.

Malcolm had an extreme turning point in his life in 1939. Malcolm’s English teacher asked him what he would like to be when gets older. He answered that he wanted to be a lawyer in the future. His teacher answered with an unbelievable response, “One of life’s first needs is for us to be realistic. You need to think of something that you can be. Why don't you plan on carpentry?”  Malcolm was shocked by his teacher's response. After being told this, Malcolm had no interest in pursuing his education and dropped out at the age of fifteen. After dropping out Malcolm moved to Boston with his older sister Ella. This is when his criminal background started. In 1946 , he was sentenced to 10 years for larceny.  While in jail, Malcolm realized that this wasn't the life he wanted to live and started reading more and furthering his education.

After he became a free man, Malcolm traveled to Michigan and followed in his father's footsteps in becoming a minister and also worked with Elijah Muhammad to expand his movement, following black African Americans. Malcolm X served a crucial role, along with Dr Martin Luther King Jr., in the Civil Right Movement. He would talk and walk all over to tell people about black rights and how to fight for freedom and justice. Sadly, Malcolm was assassinated on February 21, 1965 by his rival black Muslims after Malcom helped to create Afro- American Unity.  Previously, Malcolm clashed with Elijah Muhammad , the leader of the Nation of Islam. Muhammad suspended Malcolm from the group as a result of those clashes. A former member by the name of Thomas Hagan, along with others, wanted to seek revenge against Malcolm X for his public criticism of Elijah Muhammad. Hagan made it his plan to seek this revenge. Malcolm was shot and killed in Washington Heights while he was giving an important speech. All around, Malcolm X has done so much for the African-American community throughout the years, even after his death. When he identified situations that were wrong, Malcolm X would stand up for it, no matter how much hate or criticism he encountered.