Malcolm X Essay, Research Paper

Depending on who listen to you can here many different versions of who Malcolm X was. Some call him a visionary who changed many people’s views while others may call him a racist and violent hate-monger. Malcolm X is indeed no ordinary revolutionary figure. He was the anti-thesis of Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. non-violent ideologies yet strived to achieve the same goals as them. He wanted equality for his people and an end to the oppression that african-americans faced. “He was the ideological leader for black radicalism including black religion (spirituality and morality), black nationalism (institution building and collective action), Panafricanism (identity and internationalism), and socialism (freedom/justice/ equality and anti-imperialism) (www.brothermalcom.com).” His accomplishments are best understood when analyzing the different periods in his life.

Malcolm X went through many phases in his life.

In the 19th century the main debate that shaped our radical tradition was the EMANCIPATION debate, how to end slavery and institutionalize freedom. In the 20th century the debate has been about SELF-DETERMINATION, freedom from urban capitalist structures, especially in terms of culture, economic life, and political power.(www.brothermalcolm.com) The political philosophy of Black nationalism means that the Black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community… The economic philosophy of Black nationalism is pure and simple. It only means that we should control the economy of our community… The social philosophy of Black nationalism only means that we have to get together and remove the evils, the vices, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other evils that are destroying the moral fiber of our community.(www.brothermalcolm.com)