identitatem

It's still Black History Month, so to celebrate I thought I'd learn some American History that I previously did not know, and then share it with the world in general so that you can have the opportunity to learn things, too.

Today, February 21st marks the assassination of human rights activist Malcolm X. 

Many inspirational leaders grow up in hardship and overcome it to live a fulfilling life, often because of a strong influence from their family.  Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, did not.  He was born in 1925 in Nebraska, and suffered much due to racism and hatred.  By his early teens, many of his family members had been harassed by white supremacists.  His father, a black minister who often gave controversial sermons, was brutally killed and his uncle was lynched.  His mother was later placed in a mental hospital and young Malcolm fell into the cracks between foster homes.  He dropped out of school and moved to Boston where he got involved in crime.

At the age of 21, Malcolm X was imprisoned for burglary.  While there, he encountered the ideology of the Nation of Islam, a movement that aimed to improve the quality of life of humanity, specifically African Americans. He was excited by their ideas of black nationalism and racial separatism. It was because of this that he changed his last name to "X", to symbolize his stolen African identity. After six years in prison, Malcolm X was released and became a prominent leader within the Nation of Islam.  He was soon known for his harsh indictment of racial hate crimes and his support of liberation by any means necessary. He was not always on the same page as other civil rights champions, who called for integration and understanding.  Malcolm X advocated racial pride and identity and fierce self-protection.

Malcolm developed as a powerful orator and was admired by much of the African American community.  Eventually his philosophies became very involved and outspoken, such that he was suspended from the Nation of Islam.  This did not inhibit him from being politically active, although it did allow him to investigate other ideologies and reconsider his approaches to ideals.  After breaking with the Nation of Islam, Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he was inspired by the racial harmony amongst orthodox Muslims there.  Upon returning to America, X changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and founded the Afro-American Unity, an organization that promoted black identity and argued that racism rather than the white community was the cruelest enemy of African Americans (and indeed, any person).  This less extreme philosophy gained many followers and Malcolm X continued to be a strong leader and an involved individual.

Unfortunately, standing up for something sometimes only makes it seem further beyond your reach.  Malcolm was targeted by many who disagreed with him.  In February of 1965, his home was firebombed. He managed to escape, but a week later was shot by Nation of Islam members--his own people--at an organization rally.  
Malcolm's life and death were surrounded by controversy.  Many people condemned him for his extreme views and overzealous methods.  Others revered him for his boldness and strength in the face of pain and difficulty.

To me, Malcolm X was a firm believer in the value of identity.  He went through a few identity changes, outwardly changing his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz as a reflection of his inner shifts in identity: from identifying himself as a downtrodden shadow of society, to a bold and relentless fighter for his and his peoples' rights, and finally to a warrior for equality and personal identity.  As he encouraged others to be true to their identity, he discovered his own.