How Did Malcolm X Impact The Civil Rights Movement

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The Civil Rights Movement impacted the lives of every American since the 1960s. Kids are taught of heroes for equality like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. But often times, left out is a man whose rough upbringing and early adulthood shaped him into the identity of Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little, he was a minister of the Nation of Islam and a sort of spark to the flame of black nationalism. Malcolm's early time in prison, his subsequent intelligence, his debating skills, and his willingness to speak his mind helped give the Civil Rights Movement another push in the right direction. Because of this, Malcolm had just as much of an impact on the 60s as any one of the heroes we learn about today. In the 1960s, the United States underwent a radical period of social change. The Civil Rights Movement, though focused in the deep south, was a nationwide movement that worked to end segregation and discrimination against …show more content…
Within the next year, Malcolm was named the assistant minister to Muslim Temple Number One in Detroit. At this time, he also dropped his given “slave-name” of Little, and became Malcolm X (Baughman). Malcolm gave rousing speeches, with themes of unemployment, inadequate housing, and police brutality. He was an excellent and rousing speaker, and was the largest advocate of the Black Power Movement at the time. Malcolm was the antithesis of Reverend King’s peaceful ways, as he advocated for the black man to fight back, and attack when they were attacked (Ling). Malcolm brought enormous controversy to his actions when he denounced King’s nonviolent ways as “the philosophy of a fool” (Cone). He was initially unpopular for his controversial statements, and some still see him as an advocate of hate today. Gunned down by assassins in 1965 at the age of 35, Malcolm left with his message still in the minds of those who listened to his
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