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Malcolm X

Malcolm X

In the course of human history there will always be change. In order to bring about that change there must be something that is so controversial that it can break people away from the normal routine they have been accustomed to. Few people can raise the amount of attention needed to fuel that controversy. Malcolm X was one of those few that would die trying to achieve that attention. Earl Little was a black Baptist minister and an avid civil rights activist. On May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska Earl and his wife Louise gave birth to Malcolm Little. Malcolm was a victim of prejudice from day one. Before the time Malcolm was four his family had to relocate twice to avoid death threats from the Black Legion (White Supremacists) regarding Earl's civil rights activism. Malcolm's family's attempts to avoid impending violence were unsuccessful. In 1929 their Lansing, Michigan home was burned to the ground, the police ruled the fire an accident. The family was able to battle through until 1931 when Earl's body was found lying across the town's trolley tracks. The police also ruled this an accident, the Little's, however, strongly believed both instances were no accident. Shortly after Louise suffered an emotional breakdown and was hospitalized, the children were split up amongst various foster home and orphanages. Malcolm proved to be a strong child and graduated at the top of his class in middle school. Strangely, Malcolm's future was forever altered when his favorite teacher told him that his dream of becoming a lawyer was "no realistic goal for a nigger." Dismayed, Malcolm dropped out of school and spent time in Boston working various jobs. He traveled to Harlem and began a criminal life where he organized narcotics, prostitution, and gambling rings.

He moved back to Boston and was eventually arrested for burglary in which he earned seven years in prison. Malcolm used his time in prison to further his education. It was during this time that his brother...