Civil Rights Movement 1960s

The Civil Rights Movement in the USA in the 1950s and 1960s Research Task Report Blake Walker Year 11 Modern History Malcolm X Investigate the purport and background of the individual/ sort out Malcolm X was born on the nineteenth May, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, by the strike of Malcolm Little. Malcolm was one of eight children to Louise Norton Little who was an attentive busy housewife. His father, Earl Little who was an abrupt Baptist Minister and was also a strong supporter of Marcus Garvey, leader of the Black patriotism movement.Whilst growing up he was a focused intelligent individual with determination to pursue a career path in Law, which was frowned upon for African Americans to pursue. In Junior High Malcolm graduated at the top of his class proving his perseverance and strong nose out of self and cultivateion, but when one of Malcolms favourite teachers discouraged him by stating that His dream of becoming a lawyer was no realistic goal for a nigger, Malcolm lost all se nse of direction, sending him into a downward spiral eventually resulting in his lack of interest towards education and finally, his departure from school.The death of his father sent him into a elevate downward spiral which began his questioning into the issues relating to racism due to his fathers death, as the victim of a prejudice White Supremacist group known as the Klu Klux Klan. He then began a life in Boston, Massachusetts where he would work various odd jobs for little money, until he turned to a life of crime where he moved to the slums of New York. Malcolm eventually became a leader of various gambling and prostitution rings as well as a distributor of narcotics. In 1946 Malcolm was arrested and charged with burglary charges and was convicted to 10 years imprisonment.Whilst he was in prison, he decided to further his education and as a result, Malcolm came to a priceless point in his life where he became fascinated by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, a valued bountifu l teacher of the Nation of Islam religion. Describe the significance of the individual/group to civil rights issues in the USA Malcolm X was an immensely significant individual to the civil rights movement as Malcolm soon rose to becoming the most prominent national spokesman of the Black Power movement, as he specifically worked to spread he policy-making and religious goals of the Nation of Islam on a wide scale. Malcolm acted as an Inspiration proving that African Americans can rise up from the hardship and deprivation and stand up for what they believe in regardless of how much cruel variation and neglection you may receive. Continuously everywhere the years of the movement, he encouraged young African Americans to support the initiative through powerful speaking and his remarkable debating skills which enabled him to comply in recruiting all over 30,000 young African Americans.They were enticed by the ideology that in order to chance upon freedom, you have to fight for it and that was the only way to achieve this. This heap amongst African Americans (especially younger generations) was extremely popular. It promised to battle racism directly which to most, many thought this view would achieve the goals of the movement over a shorter time hybridize and would be far more effective than the non violent initiatives used by individuals such as Martin Luther King which proved to become less effective over the years.Many believed that this was the only forecast of achieving rights for African Americans and reinforces how Malcolm X played such a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement as he offered hope to the African Americans which were an alternative to the slow, ineffective non violent demonstrations. This provided them with an opportunity to stand up for themselves as individuals and African Americans as a nation, securing a better future for the African American in all areas of life.Outline the individual/groups beliefs and ideas and explain the forces that shape their attitudes towards civil rights at this time Due to Malcolm Xs religious beliefs be a devout follower of the Nation of Islam, the teachings of Honourable Elijah Muhammad become the foundation of the Black Nationalist Philosophy and Malcolms beliefs, which were reaching supremacy over whites by achieving political and economic power as well as improved working conditions for African Americans.Malcolm X also believed in the goal of achieving a separate articulate for African Americans through pursuing self-determination (which is an individuals right to exercise the control they have over their own lives and determine their destiny). Although, the majority of the Moslem scriptures and teachings were non-racist, the Nation of Islam believed in racist teachings depicting that the whites as devils who necessary to be destroyed to empower Black Rule. Due to this perception of Whites, Malcolm did not want a Nation where the white an could interact with the darker man, but he encouraged segregation amongst Americans. In order to contest the brutal uphill battle they were fighting, Malcolm believed African Americans needed to become militant and aggressive action in order to overcome racism, otherwise there was no point fighting because in order to achieve freedom, you have to fight for it. This view was adapted because of the brutality demonstrated against African Americans and it was necessary as a act of self defence, as Malcolm X states I dont go along with any kind of non violence unless everybodys going to be non violent.If they make the Ku Klux Klan non-violent, Ill be non violent. (Retrospective Year 11 Modern History Pg 140 Source 7. 18 lines 1-2). These beliefs and ideology held by Malcolm X, were derived from the Nation of Islam which varied from other Muslim beliefs and were adapted by Elijah Muhammad to combat the disagreement and improve the conditions and rights of the African American individual and due to Malcolms ste rn stringent followings of the religion, Malcolm followed them and endeavoured to spread the beliefs of the religion to whoever was willing to listen.Malcolms beliefs towards segregation were shaped by his fathers beliefs which where instilled in Malcolm from a young age. Soon after Malcolm separated from the Nation of Islam, his beliefs changed when he visited Mecca, a urban center considered by Muslims to be the holiest city of Islam. His views which he stood by so passionately, he found soon became outdated and idealistic, which enabled him to see that regardless of skin complexion, people of all colour could have several(predicate) opinions and not all whites were against African Americans and their movement.Malcolm began to work with white people who wanted to join his cause of ending discrimination and gaining more rights by helping his impudently found organization, Muslim Mosque Inc, thats purpose aimed to achieve goals for the Black community. Identify and account for di ffering historical perspectives and interpretations of the individual/group concerned As do with majority of all prominent historical figures, there are differing historical perspectives and interpretations of Malcolm X and the cause he righteously represented.The differing perspectives of Malcolm X are regarding his methods of demonstrating the goals of the movement which to some communicated various messages, often ignoring the intended message. For many, Malcolm X was seen as a great leader of the Civil Rights Movement with a vision, a remarkable Inspiration that uplifted a nation. To others, Malcolm was a careless renegade who used vicious tactics and some speculate by arguing both. Though it has been exactly 47 years since he drew his last breath at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, Malcolm Xs life and legacy continues to affect many in the Harlem and Columbia Communities. His namesake street, Malcolm X Boulevard, lies at the centre of stores, and homes of West Harlem and he sti ll serves as a cultural anchor and political and moral inspiration with enduring power and direct relevance in modern America and throughout the world (http//www. columbiaspectator. com/2012/02/24/malcolm-x).This perception given by Emily Neil, a Senior Staff Writer at the Columbia Spectator is a prime example of the positive perceptions held in regards to his courageous decisions standing up for his people which in result have shaped our society today. On the other hand, some argue that Malcolm X was a radical individual whose beliefs were outrageous and sinister due to his militant methods and beliefs regarding supremacy over whites. These perceptions have been outweighed by the result of Malcolm Xs contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.Malcolm Xs general perception in history has led to him being been remembered as one of the greatest and most influential individuals of the Civil Rights Movement and African Americans in history. Bibliography Author Unknown. Year Unknown, Titl e autobiography Internet Place of Publication Estate Of Malcolm X, Accessed 16th March 2012, Publisher http//www. malcolmx. com functional From http//www. malcolmx. com/about/bio. html Author Unknown. Year 2001, Title Malcolm X Internet Place of Publication muniment Recourse Centre Gale Group, Accessed 16th March 2012, Publisher www. fricawithin. com Available From www. africawithin. com/bios/malcolm_x. htm Author J. D. Scrimgeour. Year 1997, Title About Malcolm X Internet Place of Publication The Oxford Companion to African American Literature, Accessed 16th March 2012, Publisher www. africawithin. com Available From http//www. english. illinois. edu/maps/poets/s_z/smith/malcolmx. htm Author A, Enisuoh. Year 1993, Title The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X Internet Place of Publication Online Publications, Accessed 19th March 2012, Publisher http//www. ocialistalternative. org/ Available From http//www. socialistalternative. org/literature/malcolmx/ Author E, Neil. Year 2012, Title Ma lcolm X Internet Place of Publication The Columbia Spectator, Accessed 21st March 2012, Publisher http//www. columbiaspectator. com Available From http//www. columbiaspectator. com/2012/02/24/malcolm-x Authors M, Anderson, A, Low and I,Keese. Year 2008. Title Retrospective Year 11 Modern History. Pubisher John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. Place of Publication Queensland. Page Numbers 138 140.