Malcolm X's character development and social influences

¶ … Malcolm X's life, to describe his character. Malcolm X is still remembered as one of the founding fathers of the Civil Rights movement. His outspoken criticism of the American government and its dealings with Black Americans cost him his life, but created a legacy that is still powerful and significant even today. His character was molded by the experiences of his life, and he grew, changed, and became more flexible as he matured.

SOCIAL ELEMENTS

Perhaps the social element that most affected Malcolm X's character is the social injustice of racism and prejudice that was so extremely prevalent in the mid 20th century. He grew up in a society that looked down on Black Americans, and his own family suffered many hardships because of their race and his father's outspoken support of Black activist Marcus Garvey. His father received death threats, the family was forced to move several times, and their home was burned down in 1929, then his father was murdered in 1931.

Some of the social forces working against him happened even before he was born. The Official Web Site of Malcolm X notes, "When my mother was pregnant with me, she told me later, a party of hooded Klu Klux Klan riders galloped up to our home... Brandishing their shotguns and rifles, they shouted for my father to come out" (Editors). Of course, Malcolm reacted to these situations and they colored his later life. For example, he was discouraged from attempting his dreams by a racist teacher. A writer notes, "[W]hen he informed his favorite English teacher that he hoped to become a lawyer the man responded 'you've got to be realistic about being a nigger.... Why don't you plan on carpentry?' Malcolm's formal education stopped after the eighth grade" (DeLeon 164). If this teacher, and the social mores of the time, had not intervened, Malcolm might have moved along quite a different path in his life, but of course, then he might not have found the spiritual enlightenment he sought during his time spent in prison.

Malcolm's spiritual awakening began after he began serving a 10-year sentence in prison for burglary (he served seven years). While he was in prison, he became interested in the Nation of Islam, and became a strong supporter of their radical ideas about race. They believed that complete and total segregation was the only way to manage the racial problem in America (Baber). Of course, this idea was unpopular with many whites and blacks, but it indicates how malleable Malcolm's character was, because he would undergo several significant changes throughout his life, largely due to his personal growth and alterations of his core beliefs.

This first transformation came after he left prison and became a minister for the Nation of Islam within a year of his release. Another writer states, "While in prison, Malcolm X developed his own speaking style from listening to Paul Robeson [a Black speaker and activist]" (Bush). Growing up Black in a white culture influenced who he was and what he believed, and helped create and forge his character. Malcolm's experience of the social elements of being Black in America led him to question the establishment and seek out new ways of looking at the Black experience and new ways to make it better. This says a lot about his character and his beliefs. He, unlike many, was not content to sit back and watch events as they happened around him. His father's legacy taught him that, because his father was never afraid to speak out against injustice and for Black rights, even though it cost him his life, and it cost Malcolm's life, as well.

POLITICAL ELEMENTS

The political elements that helped forge Malcolm's character are also varied. He grew up decidedly antagonistic about school after a bad experience there, and the political system of the time, just like the social system of the time favored whites in just about every aspect of society. Since he did not have a good education, he turned to burglary and drug dealing to make money, who of the only options open to young Black men without a decent education (this is still the case even today). These are basic political elements of society that affect all Blacks, because traditionally, the poor Black community is underfunded in social and educational areas, and they have more crime, drug problems, and unemployment in inner city Black communities, like Malcolm experienced when he was young. He actually believed that the only way to solve these problems was for Blacks to immigrate back to Africa and to build a new society there, with their own political leaders and government. His character was forged by his religious beliefs, but the political aspects of where he lived and grew up helped form his character, as he saw how Blacks suffered and tried to find some kind of relief for that suffering.

Politically, as he began to speak out with his radical beliefs about whites and blacks, many saw him as a subversive danger to the government. His Web site notes, "As membership in the NOI continued to grow, FBI agents infiltrated the organization (one even acted as Malcolm's bodyguard) and secretly placed bugs, wiretaps, cameras and other surveillance equipment to monitor the group's activities" (Alkalimat). Politically, this had to affect his character, making him even more distrustful of whites and determined to speak out against them and for a separatist Black community.

However, the politics that affected him most and created the character that led him throughout the latter part of his life was his political distancing of himself with the Nation of Islam. He discovered that the founder Elijah Mohammed was having extramarital affairs, even though the basic tenets of Islam forbade this kind of conduct. He traveled to Mecca to find the roots of his religion, and eventually denounced the Nation of Islam, enraging the group. Some still say that he Nation of Islam was responsible for his assassination, and many members of his own family believe that to be the case, and still hold the Nation of Islam and its current leadership responsible (Blake 114). This disillusioned him with the Nation, but actually helped make his faith grow even stronger, which led to even more character development and dedication to his religious and social beliefs. Another biographer notes, "From this trip, Malcolm abandoned all his racist and segregational views about the American society, and adopted the more Orthodox Islamic approach of racial coexistence and equality" (Baber). This indicates that his character was flexible and that with understanding and good input, he could change his ideas and then persuade others to change theirs, as well. It also indicates that he was a moral and decent man, and could tell the difference between right and wrong, and could alter his framework of ideas when presented with new information.

His character lent itself to articulate persuasion, and when he first joined the Nation of Islam, he was responsible for increasing membership by the thousands. His speeches were emotional and very alarming to white people, indicating that he knew how to manipulate words and meanings to create the most reaction and attention. In one speech he said, "The Negro revolution is controlled by foxy white liberals, by the Government itself. But the Black Revolution is controlled only by God" (Editors). He shows that he understood the danger of government and politics when it came to Blacks in America, but that he had a true faith and faith that others could learn from his wisdom and teachings. This indicates he was a very strong man, who knew himself and his motivations, and he understood he had the ability to motivate others. His character was forged by the political events of the day and the lack of support by the government in obtaining and maintaining Civil Rights. He was a Black man with a cause, and he was not afraid to stand up to the government or anyone else in his path, whether it was "politically correct" or not.

LEGAGY

It would seem that a man as charismatic and determined would leave behind a legacy of children willing to follow his lead, but that is not really the case. Malcolm X fathered six daughters before his death. His wife raised them Muslim, but also raised them in a middle-class New York state neighborhood with very middle-class values. One daughter attempted to kill Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the movement, who she considers responsible for her father's death. Another works for the City of Yonkers, New York, and another is a motivational speaker and leader of a cultural organization hoping to bridge differences between cultural groups (Blake 114-116). While many serve on boards and as chairpeople of national organizations, none of them has spoken out as vocally or as emotionally as Malcolm X did during his lifetime, and so, his character does not seem to have been handed down to his children nearly as strongly as it existed inside him.

However, Malcolm X's legacy goes far further than his family. His character developed as he matured, and he became a vital aspect of the fight for Civil Rights in America. However, as he matured, he became much more accepting of whites, and all cultures, and developed a new organization in America, Muslim Mosque Incorporated, where he hopes whites and Blacks could worship together in a common belief. This indicates that as he grew older, his character developed charity and hope, and that he became a man of true faith and wisdom. He was a true believer in the traditional Muslim faith, and he hoped to bring that to others, indicating he was a nurturing and caring soul who wanted the best for everyone.

In conclusion, Malcolm X's character is complex and made up of experiences, social elements, and the politics of a time when Black Americans had few options and opportunities in life. He was a devoted man, who believed passionately in the freedom and equality of black Americans, even at the cost of his family and friends. He paid for his beliefs with his life, but he is still one of the most influential Black American leaders in history. His character, as with most people, developed as he grew older. When he died, he was a devout Muslim, a family man, and a Blacks rights leader. He proved that he was open to change, could change his own ideals when necessary, and that he was a good man with a belief in his fellow man and a deep need to share his beliefs with others. The social, cultural, and political aspects of society helped forge his character and his beliefs, and they led him down the path to face his ultimate destiny. His legacy lives on in the ongoing fight for equality and respect that Black Americans still strive to find in America today.