14.+Malcom+X

**__Essential Question__:** What were the effects of Malcolm X and his teachings on the civil rights movement, and the rise of black power?



By Brendan Greene

Born Malcolm Little on May 19,1925 in Omaha Nebraska, Malcolm X was immiediatly to racial turmoil and racial inequality. Born to a devout Christian mother and a civil rights pastor Malcolm had the values of religion, equality, and black pride installed in him from an early age. These values coupled with the murdering of his father directly lead Malcolm X to become a civil rights leader in the 1960's. As a young man Malcolm Little was involved in many crimes and was in and out of jail for much of his twenties. While in jail Malcolm became a convert to Islam, once out of jail Malcolm changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X, and became a preacher of Islam. These values would lead Malcolm to become one of the most influential black men in the 20th century.