Religion In The Civil Rights Movement
Malcolm X a man notorious for his speeches and actions during the Civil Rights Movement revealed another technique he used. His religion, a highly played part of his strategy to unite many black Americans under one leadership and one mindset. This was recognized in his efforts to maintain order and instill firmness and strict mentality in the black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. Once attached to the Nation Of Islam (NOI) and after returning from Mecca chose to go a different path in his religion he still is remembered for many accomplishments.
Malcolm X while in prison due to charges of burglary joined the Nation Of Islam. According to research “he moved to Chicago and became a minister under Elijah Muhammad, abandoning his “slave name” (King Encyclopedia p. 2). His last name before that was little and after he converted there were others who felt as though they should make the change as well. Last names such as Shabazz were later being used after conversion. He went on to make other changes. Like his religion with an already respective structure, he saw a need for black Americans to become organized and put forth some form of leadership. Based on information given “he also sought to create an open forum for black leaders to explore
solutions to the “race problem” ((King Encyclopedia p. 2). Using these techniques gained, he was able to organize a movement that created a blockade and a march in the streets. This involved the use of black American men some of whom converted to the Nation of Islam after.
Malcolm X wanted more than the usual violence, he wanted to bring it to an end. He went on a trip to Mecca and when he returned no longer yearned for the ways and methodologies of the Nation Of Islam. Like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X wanted to use non-violence to solve the current issues of his day. Using this new religious path that he took, he instead gave speeches and interviews many of which were recorded. Those who followed him in the Civil Rights Movement now understood what he was trying to accomplish. They too took that alternate route as he did and converted to the non-violent methods.
Works cited
King Encyclopedia. Martin Luther King Jr. And the Global Freedom Struggle. Malcolm X (1925
-1965). 1-3. http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_
malcolm_x_1925_1965.1.html Accessed 4/9/2016.
