Originally known as Malcolm Little, born in Omaha, Nebraska during a time of widespread racial prejudice, he faced a turbulent upbringing characterized by brutality and oppression. Relocating to Michigan with his family did not ease these challenges, as his father fell victim to white supremacists and his mother was institutionalized. Moving to Boston, he lived with his half-sister Ella and swiftly immersed himself in urban nightlife. His diverse experiences led him through various jobs and activities, from working as a railway porter to engaging in illicit activities such as armed robberies. His lifestyle in Harlem turned precarious, prompting his return to Boston where he delved into burglary, eventually leading to his imprisonment. It was within the confines of prison that he underwent a significant transformation.
Embracing the Nation of Islam, which had already influenced several of his siblings, became the catalyst for his self-improvement. He ceased drug consumption, delved into extensive reading, studied English and Latin, and even became part of the prison debate team. After being released on parole, he settled in Detroit and became deeply immersed in the local temple of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm’s unwavering dedication to the Nation of Islam prompted him to shed his surname, adopting the symbol “X” to represent his lost African heritage. His charm and commitment propelled him swiftly up the organization’s hierarchy, earning him national acclaim as a fervent proponent of Black unity and militancy. However, his growing prominence within the Nation of Islam sparked resentment, culminating in his suspension.
Following a final fallout with the organization, Malcolm X established his group, the Muslim Mosque, Inc. His subsequent travels to the Middle East and Africa exposed him to a form of Islam he deemed more authentic, reigniting his dedication to addressing America’s racial challenges through religion. His life was tragically cut short by assassination in 1965, leaving behind a globally renowned legacy.
Chapter 1
Malcolm Little’s family in Omaha, Nebraska, endured a Ku Klux Klan assault while his mother was pregnant with him. His father, Earl Little, a tall Black Baptist preacher advocating for the return of American Black people to Africa through Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), was targeted by white supremacists. Malcolm, the seventh and lightest-skinned child of Earl, was the only son who spared Earl’s beatings and often accompanied him to UNIA gatherings. Louise Little, Malcolm’s mother, was a fair-skinned Grenadian woman born of her mother’s rape by a white man. Despite passing as white for domestic work, Louise predominantly focused on caring for her family. In 1929, the family relocated to Lansing, Michigan, where their home was vandalized by another faction of white supremacists. This event profoundly impacted Malcolm, highlighting the struggles of Black life in America. He observed the limited job opportunities available to Black individuals in Lansing, mainly consisting of menial roles with widespread poverty and unemployment. Malcolm encountered further injustice when a white peer swindled him out of his earnings, but he understood the importance of asserting oneself – a lesson reinforced by successfully requesting extra biscuits at home. Tragedy struck at six when his father fell victim to white assailants due to Earl’s Black nationalist activism. The insurance company declined to honor Earl’s policy, citing his death as suicide. Faced with destitution during the Great Depression, the Little family survived on dandelions and aid. Malcolm resorted to theft for sustenance, leading welfare officials to blame Louise for their circumstances. She was unfairly branded as mentally unstable for rejecting free pork based on Seventh-Day Adventist dietary rules, resulting in her institutionalization and the children’s dispersal to foster care, except for the eldest two. Malcolm assigned culpability to the state welfare agency for his mother’s downfall and his family’s fragmentation.
Chapter 2
In 1937, Malcolm found refuge with the Swerlins, a Caucasian foster family in Lansing, feeling more like a novelty than an equal member within their household. Despite excelling academically at Mason Junior High, Malcolm sensed a disconnect. His election as class president only heightened his sense of being a “showpiece” rather than a person. Criticisms of Black people in his history textbook and disparaging remarks from his teacher fueled his discontent. When he expressed a desire to pursue law, his English teacher, Mr. Ostrowski, recommended carpentry instead, deepening Malcolm’s resentment towards his school and the Swerlins. This realization underscored that even well-meaning whites failed to view Black individuals as equals. Maturing quickly, Malcolm encountered racial prejudice frequently, confronting derogatory slurs while playing basketball. He worked as a dishwasher, visited his institutionalized mother and siblings in various cities, and witnessed covert interracial relationships in bars, frowned upon in Lansing. White peers encouraged him to date white girls, but Malcolm discerned their underlying motives swiftly. In 1940, seeking solace, Malcolm relocated to Boston, residing with his influential and loyal Black half-sister, Ella, in Roxbury, a thriving Black suburb. Relieved to depart Lansing, he reflected that staying would have funneled him into a menial job or a complacent middle-class legal career. At a mere fifteen years old but appearing much older, he embarked on the quest for new job opportunities.
Chapter 3
Arriving in Boston, Malcolm appeared unsophisticated and out of sync with the city’s flair. Residing with his step-sister Ella, she encouraged him to explore the city before committing to employment. Malcolm quickly grasped the stark disparity between Boston’s pace and lifestyle versus Lansing’s. He discerned a divide between affluent Black residents on Roxbury Hill, like Ella, and those less privileged residing downhill. Malcolm found the former’s attempts to emulate white society and laud their menial vocations distasteful, aligning more with the less affluent individuals. In his employment pursuit, Malcolm frequented a pool hall, befriending Shorty, an ambitious saxophonist hailing from Lansing who facilitated his entry into the city. Shorty mentored Malcolm, offering financial support and aiding in job procurement. At the Roseland State Ballroom, a renowned. Hall for major musical groups, Malcolm assumes the position of the shoe-shiner who has recently found success in a local illegal lottery, run by a small and informal group. The former shoe-shiner instructs Malcolm in his duties, which consist of overseeing the men’s restroom, distributing towels, vending condoms, and shining shoes. Malcolm quickly learns that a substantial portion of his earnings comes from selling alcoholic beverages and cannabis, as well as facilitating interactions between Black pimps and Caucasian customers. Engaging in various activities such as shooting dice, playing cards, betting, imbibing, smoking, and narcotics consumption becomes a routine. He acquires his initial extravagant zoot suit and undergoes his first “conk,” a hairstyle involving chemically straightening and flattening his hair. At social events, Malcolm discards his shyness and develops a passion for dancing. He draws a comparison between the reserved dancing style prevalent in Michigan to the more expressive dancing culture at gatherings in Boston. Eventually, Malcolm bids farewell to his job at the ballroom and visits the Roseland as a guest for the first time.
Chapter 4
Through Ella’s influence, Malcolm secures employment as a clerk at a pharmacy in Roxbury Hill. Despite feeling out of place in the middle-class setting, he strikes up a friendship with Laura, a diligent high school student who frequents the store. Malcolm confides in her about his ambition to become a lawyer, which she encourages. Laura, an accomplished dancer, faces constant opposition from her strict grandmother in pursuing her passion. During one of their dance outings, they participate in and emerge victoriously in a dance competition at the Roseland, even impressing the renowned bandleader Duke Ellington. Malcolm’s dancing expertise captures the attention of Sophia, a Caucasian woman, whom he partners with after escorting Laura home. A relationship blossoms between Malcolm and Sophia, sidelining Laura. Despite competition from other Caucasian suitors, Malcolm sees Sophia as a status symbol. His involvement with the attractive Caucasian woman elevates his status as a figure in the nightlife scene. Disapproving of Sophia, Ella’s disapproval prompts Malcolm to move in with Shorty. Subsequently, Laura’s life takes a downward turn; she part ways with her grandmother, becomes entangled in substance abuse, and turns to prostitution. Reflecting on this, Malcolm perceives himself as the catalyst for Laura’s downfall.
Chapter 5
Employed as a dishwasher on a train line from Boston to Washington, then as a vendor on a line from Boston to New York, Malcolm is enchanted by the vibrancy and opulence of New York, particularly the Savoy Ballroom and Apollo Theater in Harlem. After being dismissed from his job for overly enthusiastic sandwich-selling performances, he eagerly accepts a position as a daytime server at Small’s Paradise, a bar in Harlem. Malcolm wins over both customers and management, picking up skills in various schemes, acquainting himself with Harlem’s criminal underworld, and delving into the neighborhood’s history. He begins investing a significant portion of his tips in the numbers racket, an informal lottery prevalent in Harlem. Malcolm befriends the younger runners in the numbers game as well as the “old heads,” Black mobsters from the 1920s and 1930s. He establishes relationships with several pimps, forming a particularly close bond with Sammy the Pimp, who becomes his most trusted friend and confidant.
Chapter 6
Securing a steady job, Malcolm moves to a lodging house managed by female sex workers. He forges friendships with these women, gaining insights into male behavior from their interactions. Sophia, now a married woman, makes regular visits to Malcolm, eventually forming friendships with the sex workers despite her initial apprehensions about Malcolm’s living situation. Malcolm earns the moniker “Detroit Red” due to his notable crimson hair. Subsequently, after referring a clandestine military figure to one of the workers, Malcolm loses his job and is unable to frequent Smalls. Turning to Sammy the Pimp for assistance, Malcolm begins peddling cannabis to jazz musicians in New York. Initially, the business flourishes, but soon local law enforcement starts pursuing him, draining both his time and finances as he tries to evade them. To avoid capture, Malcolm must constantly change his location due to fabricated evidence against him. He develops a reliance on the substances he peddles and ends up borrowing money from Sammy just to afford meals. Sammy suggests that Malcolm utilize an old railway employee identification to distribute cannabis along the East Coast.
Chapter 7
Malcolm travels to Boston to reunite with Shorty, who is striving to establish his musical group. His interactions with Sophia, which are kept discreet due to her marital status and the increasing unease over interracial relationships amidst the impact of World War II on the Caucasian community, take center stage. Summoned by the draft board, Malcolm deftly avoided conscription by dressing flamboyantly and expressing his desire to lead Southern African Americans in uprising against Southern whites to the military psychiatrist. Following an incident where he brandished a weapon during a card game at New York’s Grand Central Station, he is permanently barred from the railway company. Unable to return to his illicit dealings in Harlem due to the police department’s familiarity with him, Malcolm turns to robbery. He embarks on gun smuggling and escalates his cocaine usage to cope with stress and prepare for his criminal endeavors. Upon his brother Reginald’s arrival in Harlem, Malcolm rents an apartment to provide a home for both of them. He introduces Reginald to a scheme involving the sale of supposedly stolen defective merchandise. Tensions rose in Harlem as authorities shut down the Savoy Ballroom, deemed an effort to discourage interracial dancing between Black men and Caucasian women. Following two riots, white tourists vanish, significantly impacting the nightlife scene, and prompting many underworld figures to seek legal employment. A heated clash with Sammy the Pimp, involving threats with a firearm, leads Malcolm to rely more on Reginald, whom he deems sluggish yet pragmatic, while his relationship with Sammy remains strained.
Chapter 8
Juggling an array of atypical occupations in Harlem, Malcolm works as a courier for the numbers game, at a gambling den, and as a guide for Caucasian visitors in search of unconventional encounters. In 1945, he becomes embroiled in suspicion of theft from an Italian-operated craps game, instilling a constant sense of peril in Harlem. Upon leaving his guiding role, Malcolm ventures into smuggling illegal alcohol from Long Island on behalf of a Jewish entrepreneur, a job he relishes until his employer vanishes under mysterious circumstances following a bootlegging scandal. Meanwhile, Malcolm engages in frequent gambling, placing bets with West Indian Archie, known for his exceptional memory that eliminates the need for written documentation of bets. When Archie accuses Malcolm of claiming winnings from a non-existent bet, a pivotal altercation unfolds. Malcolm asserts his position, but according to street protocols, neither can concede. Given a deadline to return the funds, Malcolm becomes inebriated and misses the stipulated time. Upon his return to Harlem, a confrontation with Archie at a bar looms. Archie humiliates Malcolm but refrains from violence, though an imminent showdown seems inevitable. The following day, Malcolm becomes entangled in a brawl with a young hustler, narrowly avoiding a stabbing and a police search. Suddenly on the lam from law enforcement, Italian gangsters, the con artist he battled, and Archie. When Malcolm feels he’s on the verge of being shot, his buddy Shorty arrives to save him and whisks him off to Boston.
Chapter 9
Upon reaching Boston, Malcolm’s alteration surprises Shorty and Ella. His fresh crude and assertive attitude stems from his encounters as a con artist. Malcolm spends some time unwinding, with his main activities being dozing, smoking cannabis, and enjoying music. He resumes using cocaine and enthusiastically talks about his future plans with Shorty and Sophia. His bond with Sophia persists, depending on her for monetary aid and amazed by her capacity to endure mistreatment. Sophia’s spouse frequently travels for work, granting Malcolm ample time to be with her. In the meantime, Shorty starts a romance with Sophia’s younger sibling. To make a living, Malcolm devises a new illicit plan. Leveraging his reputation for being cold-hearted and unpredictable, he forms a thieving crew: himself, Shorty, and a local Italian-Black individual, Rudy. They utilize Sophia and her sister to discreetly survey white neighborhoods. The ladies would tour homes pretending to be sales agents or survey takers and then relay detailed descriptions back to the men. Malcolm and Shorty carry out the actual burglaries, while Rudy manages the getaway vehicle. During one incident, influenced by cocaine, Malcolm spots Sophia and her sister in a Black bar with a white man, a companion of Sophia’s husband. Without deliberation, Malcolm approaches them, sullying Sophia’s charade. This triggers both the acquaintance and later Sophia’s husband to chase after him. Eventually, Malcolm is apprehended by the authorities in a pawn shop, where he yields without a struggle. In court, his conviction for thievery is more influenced by his association with a white woman than the actual crime. The authorities interrogate him about his relationships with the women rather than the supposed burglary. Subsequently, the judge sentences him to a decade in a state penitentiary.
Chapter 10
While serving time in Massachusetts state penitentiary, Malcolm encounters a phase of intellectual and spiritual awakening. Battling drug addiction and temper issues, he acquires the moniker “Satan” and is segregated from other detainees. He then meets Bimbi, a fellow Black inmate who commands respect from both inmates and prison personnel. Bimbi’s influence motivates Malcolm to ditch his former mindset and pursue education. He starts reading extensively from the prison library, enhances his English, and learns to channel his anger into logical arguments. In 1948, he was transferred to Norfolk Prison Colony, a less turbulent facility conducive to studying and debating. There, he delves into a variety of subjects in the extensive library, comprising history, religion, literature, biology, and linguistics. Malcolm’s first encounter with the Nation of Islam is through his family. At the insistence of his brother Reginald, Malcolm gives up pork, which he later views as his initial step towards Islam. Reginald introduces him to Elijah Muhammad, the spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam, whose core philosophy revolves around vilifying all white men. As Malcolm contemplates converting, he reflects on his past encounters with white individuals. He reminisces about his family torn apart by social workers, a teacher discouraging his aspiration to become an attorney and his interactions with white clients during various employments. The white law enforcement officials involved in his incarceration also come to mind. He concludes that each of these individuals has ill-treated him in some manner. These reflections catalyze a profound transformation within Malcolm, making him believe that his past wrongdoings have paved the way for him to embrace Islam. Lastly, Malcolm wholeheartedly embraces the preachings of the Nation of Islam. According to Elijah Muhammad, Black people were the original inhabitants living in harmony under Allah in Mecca until a twisted scientist named Mr. Yacub engineered a malevolent race of white people. These white individuals embarked on a 6,000-year-long crusade of oppressing nonwhites. Elijah Muhammad further instructs that Black individuals were taken from Africa, enslaved, and ultimately indoctrinated. They were coerced to forsake their own identities and adopt the names, customs, myths, and deities of their white oppressors. Presently, white society is purportedly heading towards self-annihilation. Malcolm, fully immersed in these teachings, writes to Elijah Muhammad daily and commences praying regularly.
Chapter 11
Malcolm diligently hones his writing skills by meticulously transcribing the entire thesaurus by hand, commencing with “aardvark.” His lexicon expands, sparking a reading binge that sees him engrossed in studying throughout the night in his cell. He acknowledges that this reading revives his long-suppressed appetite to be “cognitively alert.” He constructs a belief system rooted in Africa, drawing from credible sources indicating that the earliest humans and ancient towering civilizations were African, including the pharaohs and the famed Western raconteur, Aesop. The cruelties of slavery and the daring 1800s uprisings of Nat Turner and John Brown deeply affect him. He acquaints himself with India and China’s resistance against the British, recognizing that colonial subjugation and the subsequent resistance were not exclusive to Africa. Participating in the prison debate program offers him the chance to refine his oratory skills. He adeptly weaves the theme of race into his debates, whether on military service or Shakespeare. This debating experience equips him with persuasive capabilities that he later uses to attract adherents to the Nation of Islam. He takes pride in compelling a white clergyman to admit that Jesus was not white, resolving to either dedicate the remainder of his life to enlightening the white man about himself or perish in the attempt. When Reginald, his brother, is expelled from the Nation of Islam due to an affair with a secretary, Malcolm chooses faith over family. Following a silent directive from Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm severs ties with Reginald, feeling a stronger bond with his faith than family for the first time. When Reginald succumbs to madness, Malcolm interprets it as Allah’s retribution for his transgressions. He persists in his mission to convert fellow inmates to Islam.
Chapter 12
Upon his release from prison in August 1952, Malcolm resided with his brother Wilfred. He acquires a timepiece, suitcase, and spectacles. Malcolm admires the disciplined lifestyle of Wilfred’s Islamic household in Detroit. At his inaugural gathering in a Nation of Islam temple, he is enlivened by the unity and simplicity. Elijah Muhammad, in Chicago, publicly likens Malcolm to the biblical figure Job, noting Malcolm’s faith will undergo trials as he assimilates back into the world beyond prison. Malcolm expresses his aspiration to draw more individuals into the Muslim community, with Elijah advising him to concentrate on the youth. While facing initial hurdles in engaging the youth in Detroit, Malcolm’s persistence pays off and the temple’s membership triples in a couple of months. During this time, Malcolm adopts the surname “X” to symbolize the erased African legacy of his enslaved forebears. His public speaking abilities enhance as he addresses congregations at the temple, and he is profoundly moved when Elijah designates him as assistant minister at the Detroit sanctuary. Malcolm becomes acquainted with Elijah’s life story. Born in 1897 in Georgia, Elijah was a small but brave person who often settled conflicts among his siblings and had candid discussions with his white employers. Elijah embraced Islam in 1931 after encountering Wallace D. Fard, a self-proclaimed visionary, in Detroit. After Fard’s vanishing in 1934, Elijah assumed control of the Nation of Islam. Due to threats from jealous adversaries, he had to relocate his family many times over seven years. He was imprisoned purportedly for evading the draft, even though he was too old to serve in the military. It wasn’t until the 1940s that he reinstated his position as the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Chapter 13
Elijah Muhammad desires more preachers for his expanding community, prompting Malcolm X to leave his job at Ford Motor Company to commence intensive training. During this phase, Malcolm hones his oratory skills. Once ready, Elijah Muhammad dispatches Malcolm to Boston to help establish a sanctuary there. Malcolm attempts to convert his old companion Shorty, deeply entrenched in a lifestyle conflicting with the teachings of the Nation of Islam, but he is unsuccessful. His half-sister Ella is amazed by Malcolm’s transformation, and while she does not embrace the faith, she admires his change. After founding the Boston Sanctuary, Malcolm is sent to Philadelphia by Elijah Muhammad. By the summer of 1954, Malcolm is tasked with establishing a small sanctuary in New York. He reconnects with his former acquaintances, discovering that Sammy the Pimp had passed away and West Indian Archie was on his deathbed. Despite initial disinterest in his teachings, Malcolm persists, leading to the expansion of the sanctuary. Malcolm and his adherents target Black nationalist gatherings and churches advocating for a return to Africa, successfully winning over many Christian believers. In 1956, a woman named Betty became a member of the New York Sanctuary. Malcolm, who has remained celibate and dedicated to his work for ten years, takes an interest in Betty. After introducing her to Elijah Muhammad, he promptly proposes to her during a call from Detroit. They settled in Queens, New York after their nuptials and have five children, with the youngest born posthumously. In 1958, Ella, Malcolm’s half-sister, joined the Nation of Islam. The group garners public attention when law enforcement assaults one of its members. The Nation’s youth assembly, “Fruit of Islam,” leads a protest demanding justice for the victim. The Nation subsequently wins a $70,000 lawsuit against the city. Due to Malcolm’s hectic agenda, the Nation provides him with a vehicle to facilitate his travels. Despite taking a vow of poverty, Malcolm has access to the Nation’s substantial resources but possesses minimal personal belongings. By 1965, significant sanctuaries are established in Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
Chapter 14
In 1957, Malcolm established Muhammad Speaks, a publication for the Nation of Islam, following his visit to a Black-controlled periodical in Los Angeles. The organization garnered considerable public interest in 1959 after the release of a book titled The Black Muslims in America and a television program focused on the Nation. Malcolm felt the media sensationalized their stories for effect. Consequently, he often spent hours refuting, elucidating, and accusing his interviewers of bias. He also began frequently representing Elijah Muhammad in public debates. In late 1959, Malcolm journeyed to countries like Egypt, Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria, and Ghana where the ideas of the Nation of Islam attracted attention. Exposed to a new set of ideologies, he became more critical of Black civil rights leaders, whom he branded as “integration-mad Negroes” and “Uncle Toms.” Initially, Elijah Muhammad dissuaded Malcolm from critiquing other Black leaders but permitted him to voice his opinions publicly when attacks on the Nation escalated. By 1960, the Nation of Islam began organizing large rallies featuring Elijah Muhammad. Although initially restricted to Blacks, they eventually allowed white media personnel and other curious individuals to attend. The Nation’s growth and militancy drew the attention of the FBI and the police, resulting in heightened surveillance of the organization’s leaders, including Malcolm X. The organization’s popularity among incarcerated individuals was one reason for this scrutiny, as they resonated with the stern stance on white society and the rigorous discipline the Nation enforced. The group also succeeded in aiding the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Chapter 15
Following medical advice, the Nation of Islam acquires a residence in Arizona for an ailing Elijah Muhammad, where he spends most of his time. His relocation and declining health, combined with a surge in the Nation’s administrative duties, prompt Malcolm to exercise more autonomy. By 1963, both Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam are inundated with media coverage. Malcolm, now the country’s second most popular college lecturer, enjoys the intellectual debates sparked by his university addresses. However, Elijah Muhammad disapproves of his involvement in the university lecture circuit, while others accuse Malcolm of trying to seize control of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm observes his name gradually fading from Muhammad Speaks, the newspaper he initiated. To diminish Elijah Muhammad’s jealousy, he declines offers of publicity from major publications like Life and Newsweek.
Chapter 16
The intricacy of Malcolm’s association with the Nation of Islam heightens when Elijah Muhammad, the leader, faces paternity legal claims from two secretaries. Initially feigning ignorance about the allegations, Malcolm subtly alters his religious teachings to evade moral queries. Ultimately, he confronts Elijah Muhammad, who rationalizes his deeds by likening himself to biblical figures whose remarkable accomplishments outweighed their minor faults. Malcolm anticipates a public admission from Elijah Muhammad, which never materializes. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy further intensifies the rift between Malcolm and the Nation of Islam. Disregarding Elijah Muhammad’s directive to refrain from discussing the incident, Malcolm labels it as “the chickens coming home to roost,” suggesting some form of justification for the assassination. In response, Elijah Muhammad silences Malcolm for ninety days. Malcolm soon realizes this is a pretext to exile him, a scenario he believes had been planned in advance. He likens the betrayal to a sudden termination of a beautiful twelve-year union. Amidst rumors of a death threat, Malcolm discovers from an assistant that the Nation has sanctioned his execution. Requiring a space to digest the betrayal and his separation from the Nation of Islam, Malcolm accepts an invitation from boxing champion Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) to reside in Florida as Clay trains for about. Witnessing Clay, a fellow Muslim, triumph over a formidable foe through wit and training bolsters Malcolm’s faith. Clay discloses his Muslim identity after winning the match. With his bond to the Nation of Islam severed Malcolm contemplates how to continue addressing the political and economic needs of Black individuals. He devised to leverage his prominence to establish an entity called “Muslim Mosque, Inc.” in Harlem. This envisioned organization would be more welcoming and proactive. Compared to the Nation of Islam when it comes to advocating for Black independence. Before commencing the endeavor, Malcolm chooses to embark on a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city, Mecca. With the loss of his main source of income from the Nation, Malcolm turns to Ella for financial backing, which she graciously offers.
Chapter 17
Malcolm explains that every Muslim must undertake a hajj, a sacred expedition, to Mecca in Saudi Arabia if circumstances permit. Malcolm’s sister, Ella, who has also departed from the Nation of Islam, generously supports his journey. During his application for the hajj visa, Malcolm realizes the need for approval of his Muslim identity by Mahmoud Youssef Shawarbi, a Muslim UN advisor. Departing from the U.S., Malcolm explores Cairo before boarding a flight to Jedda, Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, authorities confiscated his passport, stating that a high court must validate his Muslim faith. He is directed to a crowded airport hostel, where he witnesses the diverse languages, colors, and customs of fellow Muslims around him. Seeking aid, Malcolm contacts Omar Azzam, a close associate of Shawarbi. Azzam arranges for his father’s suite at the Jedda Palace Hotel to be at Malcolm’s disposal. Witnessing the warm welcome, exquisite meals, and engaging discussions with Jedda’s elite, Malcolm is greatly impressed. He even receives a vehicle from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal to facilitate his hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm is deeply moved by his time in Mecca, especially by the absence of racial segregation in the Islamic realm. After completing his hajj, Malcolm writes letters to his loved ones back home, sharing his newfound perspectives on racial challenges in the U.S. Encountering non-racist white individuals, Malcolm attributes America’s racial tensions to centuries of white aggression towards Black people. He sees Islam as a potential solution to America’s racial divide. Malcolm signs off his letters as “El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz,” embracing this new name, although he continues to be widely known as Malcolm X.
Chapter 18
Malcolm X uncovers the indoctrination of African Americans, discouraging them from recognizing their place within the global nonwhite community. He discovers that international nonwhite leaders and intellectuals are concerned about the plight of Black Americans. His travels take him to Lebanon, where he is warmly received, and to Ghana, where he is presented with traditional garments by a high commissioner. He also visited Liberia, Senegal, and Morocco before returning to the United States. Upon his arrival in New York, journalists immediately surround him, drawing parallels between him and the nationwide race riots. Malcolm feels dismayed as the media fails to acknowledge his evolved viewpoint.
Chapter 19
Malcolm spearheads gatherings in Harlem for a new organization called the Organization for Afro-American Unity. He emphasizes that this group is inclusive of individuals from all beliefs, but excludes white individuals. He believes that white people should work on enhancing their communities separately and that unity among Black individuals must be achieved before aligning with whites to combat racism. Malcolm spends another eighteen weeks in Africa and the Middle East, engaging with numerous global leaders. He acknowledges feeling constrained by his fame in his fresh pursuits. He anticipates a violent end, expressing doubts about surviving long enough to witness the publication of his autobiography.
Epilogue
In 1959, Alex Haley became acquainted with the Nation of Islam in San Francisco and met Malcolm X in New York the following year. After publishing two articles on Malcolm X and another on Elijah Muhammad, a publisher proposes to Haley to write a biography. Haley succeeds in convincing Malcolm and Elijah to participate in the project, due to the rapport established during the earlier articles. Despite initial hesitation, Malcolm X gradually builds trust in Haley through a series of interviews. Malcolm is initially wary, believing that all journalists, even those of African descent, cater to the interests of white America. Haley almost abandons the project due to Malcolm’s reluctance to stray from the Nation of Islam rhetoric. However, noticing that Malcolm often scribbles on scrap paper with a red pen, Haley begins placing notecards during interviews to collect Malcolm’s musings, which offer valuable insights into his thoughts. As the interviews progress in New York City, Malcolm begins to open up. Haley begins the autobiography just before Malcolm’s fallout with Elijah Muhammad. The epilogue narrates the final two years of Malcolm’s life through Haley’s perspective, highlighting the escalating tension and violence leading to Malcolm’s final days, and detailing the threats before his assassination. Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, during a lecture at Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom by three individuals affiliated with the Muslims, who were later convicted. However, Malcolm’s last statements hint at the involvement of entities more powerful than the Nation of Islam in his assassination. Thousands from diverse backgrounds attend Malcolm’s funeral, including a sheik from Mecca, who conducts the rites and suggests that Malcolm has attained paradise in his closing words.
