Malcolm X (1925-1965) was one of the most influential black American leaders of the 1950's and 1960's. He transformed himself from a petty criminal into an important defender of the rights of blacks. Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebr. His father was a follower of Marcus Garvey, a black leader who worked to establish close political and economic ties to Africa. In 1931, Malcolm's father was found dead after being run over by …
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…rights activists who favored militant (aggressive) nonviolent protests. But by this time, some Black Muslims had condemned Malcolm X as a hypocrite and traitor because of his criticisms of the group's leader, Elijah Muhammad. On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was fatally shot while giving a speech in New York City. Three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of the crime. Malcolm's views reached many people after his death through his Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965).