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History Illustrated: Malcolm X — Brutalised in America

The gifted, plain-spoken orator rejected a life of crime to become an inspiring role model for social justice.

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History Illustrated: Malcom X — Brutalised in America
By Danylo Hawaleshka
Published On 19 May 2023

History Illustrated is a weekly series of insightful perspectives that puts news events and current affairs into historical context using graphics generated with artificial intelligence.

History Illustrated: Malcom X — Brutalised in America
Malcolm Little, better known as Malcolm X, would have been the first to tell you he was a convicted criminal — he saw no shame in it.
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His was a hard life. He talked about how a white man raped his grandmother; racists burned down his home; his dad, he said, was killed by the KKK; and his mother was institutionalised. At 13, Malcolm was in foster care.
His was a hard life. He talked about how a white man raped his grandmother; racists burned down his home; his dad, he said, was killed by the KKK; and his mother was institutionalised. At 13, Malcolm was in foster care.
In school, he was super-smart but was discriminated against. He would become a hustler, and in 1946, at age 20, was sentenced to 8-10 years in prison for burglary.
In school, he was supersmart but was discriminated against. He would become a hustler, and in 1946, at age 20, was sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison for burglary.
In prison, he embraced the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist group, and would later change his surname to X—because Little, he said, had been imposed by white slave masters.
In prison, he embraced the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist group, and would later change his surname to X — because Little, he said, had been imposed by white slave masters.
After prison, as a Nation of Islam minister, Malcolm X was blunt and forceful as he advocated for Black separatism, self-defence and cultural pride.
After prison, as a Nation of Islam minister, Malcolm X was blunt and forceful as he advocated for Black separatism, self-defence and cultural pride.
In April 1964, Malcolm X visited Mecca to perform Hajj. Seeing Muslims of all colours changed his world view.
In April 1964, Malcolm X visited Mecca to perform Hajj. Seeing Muslims of all colours changed his world view.
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Relations with the Nation of Islam had soured, though, and Malcolm X publicly accused the group’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, of being morally suspect due to his serial adultery. Malcolm X now feared for his life.
Relations with the Nation of Islam had soured, though, and Malcolm X publicly accused the group’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, of being morally suspect due to his serial adultery. Malcolm X now feared for his life.
On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot dead. Two of three convicted men, linked to the Nation of Islam, would later be exonerated. Reports today suggest there were as many as five shooters, with the FBI accused of a conspiracy of silence.
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot dead. Two of three convicted men, linked to the Nation of Islam, would later be exonerated. Reports today suggest there were as many as five shooters, with the FBI accused of a conspiracy of silence.
Malcolm X's approach was polarising early on, but to this day his life and his message still inspire millions in their fight for social justice and equality.
Malcolm X's approach was polarising early on, but to this day his life and his message still inspire millions in their fight for social justice and equality.