Malcolm XWorksheets

Malcolm X Facts

Malcolm X is a prominent African-American civil rights activist and Muslim minister who introduced black nationalism and racial pride during the 1950s and 60s. ★ Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. He

was fourth of the eight children of Louise and Earl Little. His father was an avid supporter and member of the Universal Negro Improvement Movement. He supported Marcus Garvey, a known black nationalist leader. Malcolm X’s family experienced number of harassments from the Ku Klux Klan and other factions such as the Black Legion due to Earl’s civil rights activism.

★ When young Malcolm was four, his family moved to Milwaukee after a hooded party of Ku Klux Klan riders raided their home in Omaha. In 1929, racist mob set their house on fire leading them to move again to East Lansing.

Malcolm X Facts★ In 1931, Malcolm’s father was found dead in the street across the

municipal streetcar tracks. Six years later, his mother was admitted to a mental institution due to trauma and depression where she stayed for 26 years.

★ By 1938, Malcolm X was sent to the juvenile detention home in mason, Michigan. He stayed with a white couple who treated him well. Later on, he attended the Mason High School where he excelled both academically and socially.

★ At the age of 15, Malcolm dropped out of school after his encounter with his English teacher. Malcolm thought of himself of being a lawyer but the teacher told him to be realistic and consider carpentry instead.

★ He moved to Boston with his sister Ella. Malcolm worked at the Roseland Ballroom. Later on, he became acquainted with drug seller in the underground streets of Boston.

★ Malcolm X was arrested in 1946 for larceny. He was sentenced with 10 years imprisonment. Most of his time in prison was spent in reading books while his siblings joined the Nation of Islam.

★ In 1952, he converted to the Nation of Islam with the idea that black Americans should have their own state separate from white Americans for them to gain freedom, justice, and equality.

★ After his release from prison, Malcolm travelled to Detroit, Michigan. He met Elijah Muhammad, a leader of the Nation of Islam and supported him to expand the movements nationwide.

★ Malcolm served as the minister of Temple No.7 in Harlem and Temple No.11 in Boston, together with the new temples in Hartford and Philadelphia.

★ By 1960, the national newspaper, Muhammad Speaks was established.

Malcolm X Facts

★ Malcolm’s militant proposal earned him numbers of followers and critics. The Nation of Islam grew to 40,000 members from 400 in 1952.

★ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a contemporary of Malcolm during the early 1960s. Though King’s Civil Right Movement was an alternative of Malcolm’s radical philosophy.

★ In 1964, Malcolm left the Nation of Islam after the feeling of betrayal and misunderstanding. He found Elijah Muhammad’s extramarital affairs as against his own teachings while Elijah did not like his comments regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

★ He embarked in a trip to North Africa and the Middle East where he had his Hajj. Malcolm X converted to traditional Islam during his pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and was named as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

★ Upon his return to the United States, he became more optimistic for peaceful resolution regarding racial problems in America.

★ On February 14, 1965, Malcolm’s wife, Betty and their four daughters escaped from the firebomb that was thrown in their house in East Elmhurst, New York. Repeated death plots forbid the family from travelling.

“You don’t have a peaceful revolution. You don’t have a turn-the-cheek revolution. There’s no such thing as a non-violent revolution.”

- Malcolm X

Malcolm X Facts

★ On February 21, 1965, he was assassinated by the members of the Nations of Islam in New York City while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity. It was an event that altered the path of the Civil Rights Movements.

★ At 39 years old, Malcolm X faced his death with 15 close range gunshots. He was pronounced as dead on arrival at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

★ On February 27, 1965, fifteen hundred people attended his funeral at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ. His remains was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

★ In March 1966, Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler, and Thomas 15X Johnson were convicted of first degree murder of Malcolm X.

★ In 1992, film maker Spike Lee directed the film, Malcolm X featuring Denzel Washington. It received Oscar nominations.

“Power is defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression, because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.”

- Malcolm XMalcolm X while holding the Muhammad Speaks

newspaper

Malcolm XWrite a short biographical narrative about Malcolm X together with his advocacy for freedom, justice, and equality among the African-American people.

Name:

Early Life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Political Involvement:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Legacy:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Civil Rights ActivistsMalcolm X was only one of the many civil rights activists in the United States. Can you tell the story of the others pictured below?

Name:

Rosa Parks

Ruby Bridges

World ReligionsAside from being an African-American leader, Malcolm X is a well-known minister of the Islamic faith. He argued that religion is one of the foundations of gaining freedom. Can you look for the world religions being practiced today? Do not forget to write a short description for each.

Name:

I B U D D H I S M

S H I N T O G J S

L Y D F A W T U I

A B Z Q W G J D K

M F H H D V N A H

W E L K N B K I I

Q W A D F R L S S

H I N D U I S M M

1. ________________ -- _____________________________2. ________________ -- _____________________________3. ________________ -- _____________________________4. ________________ -- _____________________________5. ________________ -- _____________________________6. ________________ -- _____________________________

Malcolm and MartinMalcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were contemporaries. They had a vision of bringing the rightful American dream among the African-American people. Compare and contrast their views about civil rights movements.

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It is an Arabic word that means “peace, security, and surrender.”

Islam and FaithMalcolm X became a member and minister of the Nation of Islam. He was later on converted to Sunni Muslim after his Hajj in Mecca. Can you complete the fast facts about Islam?

Name:

A person who practices Islam is known as ________.

Islam is the second largest religion practiced around the world next to ____________.

It is known as “the place of the drinking cup.”

Islam together with ________ and ________, originated in the Middle East.

It means “recitation” in Arabic.

Color Black or WhiteRead the statements carefully, color the “X” with black if the statement is correct. Otherwise, change the underlined word.

Name:

1. Malcolm X was once a supporter and

believer of Martin Luther King Jr.

2. In 1960, he established the newspaper

Allah Speaks.

3. Malcolm’s father, Earl Little was an avid

supporter of the black nationalist leader

Nelson Mandela.

4. He was shot by members of the Nation

of Islam while delivering a speech in

Michigan.

5. After his Hajj in Mecca, he converted to

traditional Islam replacing his name

with El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

X SaysRead Malcolm’s quotable quotes, highlight the important concepts, and annotate what he meant.

Name:

POLITICS

Famous African-AmericansSince the era of slavery, American history have been filled with racial controversy. Today, a lot of African-Americans gained respect in various aspects of the American society. Can you take a photo of some of them?

Name:

ECONOMICS

ENTERTAINMENT

SOCIAL WORK

Dialogue AnalysisAnalysis the cartoon below by highlighting the dialogue boxes. Be guided by the questions provided.

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1. What do you see?2. What are the concepts presented?3. How did it show the issue on race?4. Describe how the American society accept or reject

other races.

Freedom BoardMalcolm X fought for freedom, justice, and equality of African-Americans during the 1950s and 60s. Using the freedom board below write your thoughts on how people of the world should practice tolerance amidst diversity. You can cite existing programs and advocacies around the world.

Name: