Malcolm X in the Civil Rights Movement Research Paper (Coursework Sample)

Malcolm X
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Malcolm X
Malcolm X is a good example of what it entails to uphold civil responsibility. His role in the civil rights movement, though controversial, is normally contrasted to that of Martin Luther King Junior, and was significant in helping to highlight the plight of the African Americans in the American society (Ambar, 2014). Malcom’s work and his political philosophy helped to show the contrast between provisions of the US constitution, which apparently advocated for freedom to all and the second rate citizenry of the Blacks (Benson & Cosgrove, 2005). The role that he played has turned him into a civil rights historical figure and arguably helped build momentum for the inclusionary changes that the Americans government would subsequently implement (Armstrong & Schmidt, 2010).
Malcolm was a follower of the Nation of Islam that was headed by Elijah Muhammad. This group emerged out of Detroit in the 1930s and considered itself as the Black man’s true religion as it advocated for their self-pride and self-sufficiency (Jenkins & Tryman, 2002). It was one of the groups’ followers who transformed Malcolm while he was still in prison; he helped Malcom to appreciate his dignity and respect as a Black man (Ambar, 2014). Upon his release from prison in 1952, Malcolm became the spokesman and organizer for the Nation of Islam. Through Malcom’s organizational skills, the organization increased its membership from a handful of temples in Detroit into becoming a national organization (Benson & Cosgrove, 2005; Thernstrom & Thernstrom, 2010). Malcolm started a newspaper called Muhammad Speaks; he also implemented a policy that demanded that all men in the organization sell a particular quota of the paper on the street as strategy to recruit and raise funds (Armstrong & Schmidt, 2010).
As the national representative of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm helped spread the influence of the group beyond its half a million membership (Armstrong & Schmidt, 2010). The organization was noted for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, alcoholics and criminals. Malcolm castigated the White man for impoverishing and oppressing the Blacks (Jenkins & Tryman, 2002; Ambar, 2014). In many ways, Malcolm came to be regarded as the countervailing force against Martin Luther King’s philosophy (Thernstrom & Thernstrom, 2010) and more especially in the North where most African Americans began to doubt the civil rights movement, their goal of integration, and their advocacy for nonviolence as compared to how little their lives had changed (Jenkins & Tryman, 2002). The legacy of Malcolm’s advocacy is attributed to the ending of the American apartheid through the enactment of the 1964 Civil Right Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act (Thernstrom& Thernstrom, 2010). Many historians argue that Malcolm’s militant Black Nationalism forced the American legislators to positively respond to the civil rights demands (Ambar, 2014).
Malcolm sacrificed his image in the civil rights struggle to be called the villain as compared to other activists such as Martin Luther King Junior. It was a calculated move to help illuminate the alternative that the Whites had if they did not listen to Dr. King (Thernstrom & Thernstrom, 2010). Armstrong and Schmidt (2010) argue that Malcolm’s controversial contribution made the goals of Dr. King more attainable. He publicly criticized Dr. King but in one occasion at Selma, he accosted King’s wife and told her he had gone down there to help rather than oppose King and that the help would be effective through attacking rather than praising King. Malcolm X had argued that if the Whites realized what the alternative was, they would more willingly listen to King. This was an illustration of his self-sacrifice and humility that he made, well knowing that through presenting the ugly and naked truth about racism in America, he was not just putting at risk his life and that of his family, but he was also endangering his own reputation. He was a willing martyr for the civil rights cause.
Malcolm X demonstrated traits such as perseverance given that he never gave up on the Civil Right Movement in spite of the risks involved and the criticism that he got for his views about racism in America (Benson & Cosgrove, 2005). Malcolm was also a brilliant organizer; he was able to rally fellow African Americans to protest against the American society that had relegated them to the periphery (Armstrong & Schmidt, 2010). He was, therefore, impatient with the status quo in America and his separationist tendencies were based on the idea that White and Blacks could no longer exist; he argued that it was, consequently, imperative that African Americas be separated to form their own independent county (Ambar, 2014). He was always dedicated to pursue justice and was always on the path to self-improvement, doing his best to ensure that he lived up to the ideals of Islam. He made mistakes and had many imperfections. However, his willingness to admit his own shortcomings, particularly if it led him towards the truth, was a strong indicator of his humility (Jenkins & Tryman, 2002).
There are various conversions that Malcom underwent in his life, which happened quickly and all involved travelling away from home to distance places (Ambar, 2014). The first one took place when he left home for Boston where he quickly absorbed his friend’s lifestyle, embracing their lavish street-style zoot suits, the smoking of marijuana, love of jazz music, involvement in petty criminal and gambling (Benson & Cosgrove, 2005). When he was put behind bars, Malcom quickly emulated reflective and intelligent inmates such as Bibi. This encounter helped him to reinvent himself as a devoted Muslim and a worldly individual. Many years later after his expulsion from the Nation of Islam, he made his pilgrimage to Mecca and this visit made him to broaden his perception of the rac...