Malcolm X, Black Power, and Continued Struggles

While Martin Luther King Jr. advocated non-violent protest, other leaders and movements took a more radical approach to achieving racial equality. This lesson covers Malcolm X, the Black Power movement, the key legislation of the mid-1960s, and the continued struggles faced by African Americans after the passing of the Civil Rights Act.

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Malcolm X

Malcolm X (1925–1965) was one of the most influential and controversial figures of the Civil Rights era. He was a minister of the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist religious movement led by Elijah Muhammad.

Key Beliefs

Belief	Detail
Black nationalism	African Americans should build their own separate communities, businesses, and institutions
Self-defence	Unlike King, Malcolm X argued that African Americans had the right to defend themselves "by any means necessary"
Rejection of integration	He initially rejected the idea of integration with white Americans, calling it a delusion
Black pride	He promoted pride in African heritage and identity, rejecting what he called the "slave mentality"

Key Dates in Malcolm X's Life