Art Argumentative:Malcolm X

By Calliope Carion

Early History:• Malcolm X was born on May 19th, 1925.• He was born as Malcolm Little, but changed his surname due to his opinion that it

sounded like a slave’s surname.• His father was killed when he was six years old, by being pushed into a railroad by

three white men who opposed his ideas.• His mother was admitted to an insane asylum and he was placed in foster care

several times.• In high school, he lived with his half sister, Ella.

School Life:• He was expelled from junior high by putting a tack on his teacher’s chair.• He was known as a “class clown”.• In high school, his English teacher asked him what his desired occupation was, and

he answered “lawyer”. His teacher said he should think realistically as blacks at the time weren’t typically lawyers.

• He lived with his half sister, Ella, due to the fact that his mother was insane and his father was deceased.

Jail Time:• When he was twenty one years old, he was sent to jail through armed robbery and

vandalism of a white person’s home.• While in jail, he converted to the Islamic faith.• Malcolm X became close to the Imam Elijah Muhammad.• Despite being released from jail, he continued to make violent protests.

Family Life:• Parents: Earl and Louise Little• Wife: Betty Dean Shabazz née Sanders• Children: Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malaak, Malikah

Life as Muslim and Speech Maker• Malcolm X was a famous speech maker, in numerous and countless cities.• Known for famous and motivating quotes.• He made the pilgrimage to Mecca before he died (which you have to do in the

Qur'an) and realized that Muslims can be any race and skin color.• After this journey, he became a softer, friendlier speaker and told everyone his

different view of whites.

Contributions I:• Malcolm X made several contributions to society—he helped speed up the race for

civil rights and he made several whites aware that some blacks would resort to violence instead of peace.

• Malcolm X also contributed to ambitious dreams—he helped ease up segregation and became a very prominent speaker and went to college, something that was hard for blacks to do back in the day.

Contributions II:• Malcolm X, unlike Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., resorted to violent protests,

which made the public aware of what could happen if the civil rights movement wasn’t passed.

• Malcolm X also attacked the white community, calling them “devils” on many occasions.

Contributions III:• Malcolm X made several changes to civil rights—he gave remarkable speeches and

warned whites that some blacks would resort to violence, like he might have to resort to.

• He also made several cultural changes—he told people, after his pilgrimage to Mecca, that Muslims come in all shapes, sizes, skin tones, and races, and that we should embrace one another.

Contributions IV:• Malcolm X also showed people that anyone in the world can be Muslim, no matter

if they’re black, white, or brown. He showed people that everyone has beliefs.• Malcolm X made came to this conclusion when he journeyed to Mecca, where all

Muslims must visit before they die.

Contributions V:• Malcolm X’s views of African Americans were very strong—he thought blacks were

the same as whites, despite the different skin pigments, and he thought the way they were treated was highly unfair and he wanted to do anything he could to make sure his fellow blacks were treated just as fairly as whites.

• Malcolm X also had strongly positive views on Muslims, saying that they were amazing people and anyone can be Muslim (after his journey to Mecca).

Changes to Society I:• Malcolm X changed the way some whites think of blacks through his protests and

speeches.• Malcolm X didn’t really change the way people thought about Muslims because

there wasn’t any Muslim discrimination back when there was segregation.

Changes to Society II:• Malcolm X also changed the way some people thought of civil rights protestors—

by making them think that some of them could resort to violence if need be.• Malcolm X also showed whites that he wasn’t a lot like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

Jr., who used peaceful protests and friendly speeches by showing his cynic and pessimism to whites.

Changes to Society III:• Malcolm X did become one of the most prominent speakers of the twentieth

century after his demise.• He was known for being speaking his mind quite frequently.

Changes to Society IV:• Malcolm X also changed the way people think of Muslims—anyone can be Muslim,

just as anyone can be whatever occupation.• Malcolm X became a prominent Muslim, achieving the requirement of visiting

Mecca.

Changes to Society V:

• Malcolm X’s death was heartbreaking for those people who agreed with his thoughts and viewpoints.

• His death also angered protestors who admired him.

What If? (I)

• If Malcolm X never existed, what would’ve happened?

• Firstly, all of his motivational speeches would’ve never happened.

What If (II):

• More people would’ve gone to drastic measures to protest, ending up in more deaths.

What If (III):

• If Malcolm X never existed, several more people would’ve died because he never spoke or protested, due to the Ku Klux Klan.

Image Credits:• www.blogs.clarionledger.com• www.biography.com• www.whyaminotsurprised.blogspot.com• www.malcolmx.com• www.fineartamerica.com• www.pbs.org• www.freerepublic.com• www.emtecfilms.com• www.fittingtemple.blogspot.com• www.amistadresource.org• www.jackandjillpolitics.com• www.andreaisace.tumblr.com• www.malcolmxonline.com• www.huffingtonpost.com• www.standford.edu• www.colostate.edu• www.amren.com• www.malcolm-x.org• www.politics.lilithezine.com• www.blackhistoryflag.com• www.newsone.com• www.electronpencil.com• www.dailykos.com• www.octaman.com• www.bringtheruckus.org• www.eldoradonews.com • www.malcolmx.org

Resources

• www.history.com• www.biography.com• www.notablebiographies.com