The Negative Impacts Of Malcolm X And The Civil Rights Movement

The African American population’s increasing struggle to earn equal rights in areas such as education, facilities, politics, and employment were extremely prominent during the 1950s and 60s. The use of publicity earned by civil right figures within their given organizations, specifically Martin Luther King Jr. (SCLC), Rosa Parks (NAACP), and Malcolm X with the Nation of Islam (NOI), created palpable tension between whites and blacks. Malcolm X and the NOI brought to the table what others civil right leaders rarely did, the aspect of fear. He utilized the teachings of his organization along with popularity he had earned and turned it into a way to fight the oppression whites forced upon blacks. Unlike peaceful activists in the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm and the NOI didn’t spurn the use of violence to get what they wanted. Both positive and negative aspects came out of his public acceptance of the use of violence, considering peaceful protest and non-violence didn’t always gain the necessary attention of racists and those who condoned segregation. Malcolm X’s problematic childhood led to an involvement with Nation of Islam that intimidated those who didn’t …show more content…
Luckily, while in prison, Malcolm chose a path that would eventually give him the chance to be recognized for his talent with the formulation of words into powerful speeches. For almost a decade, Malcolm was practically a puppet reiterating the words of the Nation of Islam. However, after the realization that he could use of the publicity he earned to say what he wanted to say, Malcolm X dripped in opinion and the determination needed to get the African American population’s points of view across. After being silenced by those he counted on most, Malcolm went on a spiritual trip that changed how he thought about humanity as a whole and specifically how he should handle the Civil Rights Movement from then