t using his “slave name”, Little, and began using the name “X” (Haley). Under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm was made minister and top administrator of the Muslim movement. Malcolm X spoke in the streets to crowds of people pointing out injustices done to blacks and encouraging blacks to join the Muslim movement. By the late 1950’s, Malcolm X was known as the Nation of Islam’s best spokesperson. He went on to found mosques in Boston, Philadelphia, and Harlem. Malcolm was given credit for the expansion of membership, which reached 30,000 nationally in 1963 (Stine).Tension between Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X grew when Malcolm’s interests became more and more political and he became more interested in the civil rights movement. Malcolm eventually grew critical of Elijah Muhammad. After commenting about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm was “silenced” for 90 days. However, in March of 1964, Malcolm X decided to leave the Nation of Islam and form the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU). “He began to articulate a more secular black nationalism, arguing that blacks should control the politics within their own community and, through his speeches, encouraging his followers to use the ballot to effect change” (Stine).Malcolm X journeyed to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 1964 and began to re-think his views toward integration. He wanted to learn about the true Islam. While in Mecca, Malcolm X was impressed by the way that pilgrims of all colors interacted with each other. He decided that whites and blacks were both victims of a racist society. Malcolm X believed that the key to unification of people from all races was Islam. Malcolm’s goal was to persuade blacks all over the world to unite and fight against racism. “I have learned that not all white people are racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, e...
