Malcolm X and the Rise of Black Power: Crash Course Black American History #38

Summary

The video script from Crash Course Black American History narrates the transformative journey of Malcolm X, from a troubled youth to a pivotal civil rights leader. Born to activist parents, Malcolm Little faced family tragedies and turned to crime before his radical transformation in prison under the influence of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and Elijah Muhammad. Advocating for Black self-determination and economic empowerment, Malcolm X challenged mainstream civil rights approaches. His evolving views led to a split with NOI, a pilgrimage to Mecca, and the founding of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU). Tragically assassinated, his legacy inspired future movements, emphasizing self-love, self-defense, and racial pride.

Takeaways

• 📚 Clint Smith introduces the series 'Crash Course Black American History', reflecting on the impact of reading Malcolm X's autobiography.
• 🌟 Malcolm X's transformation from a troubled youth to a prominent civil rights leader is highlighted, emphasizing his journey of self-education and advocacy.
• 🔍 The script challenges the simplified 'Malcolm vs. Martin' narrative, portraying Malcolm X as a complex individual whose views evolved over time.
• 👶 Born Malcolm Little in 1925, his early life was marked by the activism of his parents, who supported Marcus Garvey's principles of Black self-determination.
• 🔥 Experiencing violence and loss due to white supremacists, including the death of his father, Malcolm's early life was fraught with hardship.
• 🏢 Malcolm's life took a criminal turn after his mother's institutionalization, leading to his arrest and time in prison, where he was introduced to the Nation of Islam (NOI).
• 📖 While incarcerated, Malcolm X's dedication to education is underscored, as he read extensively and even copied the dictionary by hand to improve his literacy.
• 🔄 After changing his last name to 'X', symbolizing the rejection of his 'slave name', Malcolm X rose to prominence within the NOI, becoming its national spokesman.
• 📈 The Nation of Islam's membership grew exponentially under Malcolm X's leadership, from 500 to 30,000 members between 1952 and 1963.
• 🛑 Malcolm X's critique of civil rights leaders and the limitations of desegregation is discussed, advocating for Black self-sufficiency and economic empowerment.
• 🌍 His pilgrimage to Mecca led to a profound change in his perspective, as he recognized the potential for unity among people of different races and religions.
• 🏛 After leaving the NOI, Malcolm X founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) to address economic issues and represent Black American politics internationally.
• 🕊 His evolving views on racial unity and self-love are noted, as he promoted the idea that 'black is beautiful' and challenged societal norms that denigrated Black identity.
• 🚨 The script mentions the surveillance and infiltration of the NOI by law enforcement, reflecting the intense scrutiny and threats faced by Malcolm X.
• ⏳ Malcolm X's life was tragically cut short by assassination in 1965, but his legacy continues to inspire and influence movements for Black empowerment and civil rights.

Q & A

Who is Clint Smith, and what is the purpose of Crash Course Black American History?

Clint Smith is the host of Crash Course Black American History, which aims to educate viewers on significant events and figures in Black American history.

What impact did reading the autobiography of Malcolm X have on Clint Smith as a teenager?

Reading the autobiography of Malcolm X left Clint Smith awestruck by Malcolm's transformation from a troubled youth involved in crime to a pivotal civil rights leader.

What were some of the core beliefs of Marcus Garvey that influenced Malcolm X's parents?

Marcus Garvey's core beliefs included Black self-determination and the encouragement for Black Americans to establish their own nation-states in Africa.

What events in Malcolm X's early life contributed to his eventual involvement in crime?

Malcolm X faced significant trauma, including the arson of his family's home, the suspected murder of his father by white supremacists, and his mother's mental health breakdown, leading to his fall into the foster care system and subsequent involvement in crime.

How did Malcolm X become involved with the Nation of Islam (NOI) while in prison?

While in prison, Malcolm X was drawn to the Nation of Islam and its leader Elijah Muhammad's teachings on self-determination, Black enterprise, and the impacts of racism.

What was the significance of Malcolm X changing his last name to 'X'?

Malcolm X changed his last name to 'X' to signify the lost tribal name taken from his ancestors during slavery, rejecting the 'slave name' given by white oppressors.

What were some criticisms Malcolm X had towards the mainstream civil rights movement?

Malcolm X criticized mainstream civil rights leaders for their focus on desegregation and non-violence, arguing instead for Black empowerment, self-defense, and the creation of Black-owned institutions.

What led to Malcolm X's departure from the Nation of Islam?

Malcolm X became disillusioned with the Nation of Islam due to its leadership's handling of extramarital affairs and finances, as well as differences in civil rights strategies, culminating in his public comments about John F. Kennedy's assassination and subsequent suspension by Elijah Muhammad.

How did Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca influence his views on race and unity?

Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca led him to witness racial unity among people of all colors, prompting him to reconsider his previous beliefs about white people and advocate for broader racial solidarity.

What legacy did Malcolm X leave behind after his assassination?

Malcolm X's legacy influenced groups like the Black Panther Party and inspired many through his advocacy for Black independence, self-sufficiency, and racial pride. His autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley, continues to inspire readers.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Early Life and Transformation of Malcolm X

This paragraph introduces Clint Smith and the theme of the video, focusing on the life of Malcolm X. It recounts Malcolm's journey from a troubled youth involved in crime to becoming a pivotal figure in civil rights history. The narrative emphasizes his self-education and transformation, contrasting the simplified 'Malcolm vs. Martin' narrative with the reality of his complex evolution. Born to activist parents, Malcolm's early life was marked by the violence of white supremacists, leading to his parents' deaths and his eventual turn to crime. His time in prison introduced him to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, which significantly influenced his life and ideology. The paragraph concludes with his adoption of the 'X' in place of his surname, symbolizing the rejection of his 'slave name' and his commitment to the NOI's principles of self-determination and Black enterprise.

05:01

🌟 Malcolm X's Rise and Philosophy within the Nation of Islam

This section delves into Malcolm X's role within the Nation of Islam (NOI) and his philosophical development. It highlights the NOI's focus on racial uplift, economic justice, and self-sufficiency, contrasting it with the mainstream civil rights movement's emphasis on desegregation and nonviolent resistance. Malcolm X's critiques of civil rights leaders and his advocacy for Black empowerment through self-love and economic independence are underscored. The paragraph also discusses the FBI's surveillance of the NOI and the internal conflicts that led to Malcolm X's departure from the organization. His public comments on the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the subsequent punishment by Elijah Muhammad are noted, as is his disillusionment with the NOI's leadership due to scandals and financial mismanagement. The paragraph concludes with Malcolm X's resignation from the NOI and his pilgrimage to Mecca, which marked a significant shift in his views on race relations.

10:06

🌱 Post-NOI Enlightenment and Legacy of Malcolm X

The final paragraph discusses Malcolm X's transformation following his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he experienced a spiritual awakening that led to a change in his perception of race relations. He abandoned the view of white people as inherent enemies and embraced a more inclusive perspective. Upon his return, he established the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) to address economic issues and represent Black American politics internationally. The OAAU aimed to unite Black Americans across religious lines and advocate for their human rights. Tragically, Malcolm X was assassinated before he could fully realize the OAAU's goals. His posthumously published autobiography and the influence of his life and ideas continue to inspire generations, shaping the philosophies of organizations like the Black Panther Party. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on Malcolm X's growth, his unfinished potential, and his enduring impact on civil rights and self-determination.

Keywords

💡Malcolm X

Malcolm X was a prominent civil rights leader who transformed from a life of crime to becoming a pivotal figure in American history. His journey of self-education and advocacy for Black Americans is central to the video's theme of personal and societal transformation. The script details his evolution from Malcolm Little to a leader in the Nation of Islam and later his break from it, illustrating his dynamic personality and impact on the civil rights movement.

💡Autobiography

An autobiography is a self-written account of a person's life. In the context of the video, Malcolm X's autobiography is highlighted as an inspiration for the narrator and a source of insight into Malcolm's life transformation. It is mentioned that reading his story had a profound effect on the narrator during his teenage years, emphasizing the power of personal narratives in shaping perspectives.

💡Nation of Islam (NOI)

The Nation of Islam is a religious and political organization that Malcolm X joined while in prison. The video explains that NOI's teachings on self-determination and Black enterprise were influential to Malcolm's ideology. The organization's approach to civil rights, which differed from other movements of the time, is a key part of the narrative, showing the diversity of strategies within the fight for racial equality.

💡Self-determination

Self-determination refers to the right of people to freely determine their political status and to pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. In the video, it is a core concept in the teachings of the Nation of Islam and the earlier activism of Marcus Garvey, which Malcolm X's parents supported. The idea is closely tied to the video's theme of empowerment and the pursuit of independence for Black Americans.

💡Black Enterprise

Black Enterprise in the script refers to the economic philosophy of encouraging Black Americans to establish and support their own businesses. It is part of the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the NOI, which Malcolm X adopted. The concept is integral to the video's exploration of economic independence as a means for racial uplift and civil rights advancement.

💡Racism

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice. The video discusses how racism, particularly against Black Americans, was a driving force behind the need for organizations like the NOI and the civil rights movement in general. It is a central issue that Malcolm X fought against throughout his life.

💡Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was a struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans in the United States. The video uses this term to describe the broader context within which Malcolm X and other leaders operated. It contrasts different approaches to achieving racial equality, such as Malcolm X's advocacy for Black empowerment versus the nonviolent approach of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

💡Black Nationalism

Black Nationalism is a political ideology that advocates for the self-determination and self-governance of Black people, often through the establishment of a separate nation or through community-based initiatives. In the video, Malcolm X's early beliefs in Black nationalism are highlighted, showing his initial focus on Black empowerment within a racially segregated society.

💡Integration

Integration refers to the process of bringing different racial groups together to live and work in society as equals. The video contrasts Malcolm X's early views on nationalism with the integrationist goals of other civil rights leaders. Malcolm X initially opposed integration, arguing that it did not address deeper issues of economic and social inequality.

💡Self-love

Self-love in the context of the video is the concept of embracing one's own racial identity and rejecting societal messages that devalue it. Malcolm X's advocacy for 'black is beautiful' is a central theme, emphasizing the importance of racial pride and self-acceptance as a form of resistance against racism and a means to empower Black communities.

💡Assassination

Assassination is the act of deliberately killing a prominent person, often for political reasons. The video concludes with the tragic assassination of Malcolm X, which is presented as a reflection of the intense opposition and threats he faced due to his influential role in the civil rights movement. His death is a poignant reminder of the risks associated with advocating for change.

Highlights

Clint Smith introduces Crash Course Black American History and his personal connection to Malcolm X's autobiography.

Malcolm X transformed from a life of crime to a significant civil rights leader.

Malcolm X's parents were supporters of Marcus Garvey, influencing his later philosophical enlightenment.

Earl Little's activism led to violence from white supremacists, deeply impacting Malcolm's early life.

Malcolm's father was killed, and his mother was institutionalized, leading him into the foster care system.

In 1946, Malcolm was imprisoned and joined the Nation of Islam, adopting the name Malcolm X.

Malcolm educated himself in prison, reading extensively and copying the dictionary by hand.

After prison, Malcolm became a prominent leader in the Nation of Islam, significantly increasing its membership.

Malcolm X critiqued other civil rights leaders and emphasized Black self-determination and self-defense.

Malcolm's philosophy included the idea that 'black is beautiful,' challenging societal norms.

In 1964, Malcolm split from the Nation of Islam and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, which changed his views on race.

Malcolm X established the Organization of Afro-American Unity to address Black economic and political issues.

Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, cutting short his evolving impact on civil rights.

His autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley, became a significant and influential work posthumously.

Malcolm X's legacy influenced subsequent movements, including the Black Panther Party.

Transcripts

Hi I’m Clint Smith, and this is Crash Course Black American History.

I still remember the first time that I read the autobiography of Malcolm X, back when I was a teenager.

I was awestruck by the story of a man who went from being young, lost, and involved

in a life of crime to someone who transformed himself into one of the most important

civil rights leaders in American history.

It was inspiring, to read the story of a man who refused to be defined by the circumstances of his past,

and who used self-education to help himself better understand the issues

facing Black Americans, so that he could better advocate on their behalf.

And sometimes, Malcolm X can be presented as a foil to Dr. King.

“Malcolm vs Martin.”

“Violence vs. Non-violence.”

“Nationalism vs Integration.”

But, as always, the story is much more complicated than that.

Malcolm X was a complex, dynamic person who was constantly evolving.

And today we’re going to learn some more about the process of that evolution.

Let’s start the show.

INTRO

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in 1925,

in Omaha, Nebraska.

His parents, Earl and Louise Little, had been supporters of the activist Marcus Garvey.

Garvey’s followers believed in Black self-determination and encouraged Black Americans to form their

own nation-states in Africa.

The political backgrounds of Malcolm’s parents were core to the philosophical enlightenment

he would experience later in his twenties.

Earl Little’s activism brought much-unwanted violence from white supremacists.

The family regularly received death threats, which required them to relocate twice

before Malcolm turned four.

Still, they couldn’t outrun the terror that followed them, and in 1929 they lost their

home in Lansing, Michigan to arson.

Then, in 1931 Earl Little was run over and killed by a streetcar, and while it was

never proven in court, Malcolm always believed that he had been killed at the hands of white supremacists.

And if that wasn’t enough, in 1939 Malcolm’s mother was committed to a mental institution

after suffering from a mental health breakdown.

At thirteen years old, Malcolm fell into the foster care system and had to adopt new methods

of survival.

He dropped out of school at fifteen years old and turned to a life of crime where he

engaged in theft, gambling, and selling drugs.

Let’s go to the Thought Bubble.

In 1946, Malcolm Little was arrested and sentenced to eight to ten years in state prison in Massachusetts

on burglary charges.

While incarcerated, he was drawn to a newly organized group of Black Muslims called the

Nation of Islam (NOI) and the teachings of NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad.

Among Muhammad’s teachings were the principal ideas of self-determination and Black enterprise.

He also insisted that racism worked specifically to keep Black Americans from achieving political,

economic, and social success.

The NOI also fought for a state of their own, separate from white people, similar to the

earlier teachings of Marcus Garvey that young Malcolm’s parents subscribed to.

Following the custom of members of the NOI, Malcolm changed his last name to X.

Muhammad’s teachings suggested that given surnames were “slave names” bestowed upon

them by “the white man.”

The “X” signified Malcolm’s lost tribal name.

And while in prison, Malcolm wrote in his autobiography, that he endeavored to use education

to change his life.

He said he read every book in the prison library; he said he copied the entire dictionary...by hand;

and he said that he was always reading late into the night.

He later wrote, “right outside my door was a corridor light that cast a glow into my room.

The glow was enough to read by, once my eyes adjusted to it.

So when “lights out” came, I would sit on the floor

where I could continue reading in that glow.”

By the time he was paroled in 1952 after serving 7 years,

Malcolm was a devoted follower of Elijah Muhammad.

Thanks, Thought Bubble

After he was released, he assumed a leadership role in the NOI and it didn’t take long

for Malcolm to become the organization’s national spokesman.

His charisma, drive, and eloquence attracted an astounding number of converts.

The NOI only had 500 members by the time he joined in 1952; by 1963 membership had increased

to 30,000.

Now, the Nation of Islam took a pretty different approach to civil rights activism

than other organizers at the time.

Racial uplift was core to the organization’s philosophy and they had several criticisms

of Christian activists who adopted desegregation and nonviolent civil disobedience as their

doctrine in the movement for Black liberation.

The Nation of Islam wanted to address the sweeping problems of unemployment, underemployment,

and economic injustice that Black Americans faced.

There was also the oppressive presence of white political power and police brutality,

even in areas where Black people were the majority.

The Nation felt that if after ten years of boycotts, demonstrations, sit-ins, and Freedom Rides,

Black people had still not achieved freedom, it was time for a new approach.

And there were a growing number of Black folks across the country who felt the same way.

Malcolm had his own critiques.

He believed that Black people needed land, power, and freedom, not desegregation.

He took issue with civil rights leaders he perceived as being sellouts who white liberals

had selected to keep Black Americans from demanding actual equality.

Desegregation, he believed, may have integrated schools

but it did not move Black people closer to actual liberation.

It certainly did not address police brutality, unemployment, poverty, or housing shortages

greatly impacting Black communities.

An avid nationalist, Malcolm X was certain Black empowerment could take place

if Black people pooled their resources to build their own facilities to meet the community’s needs.

If they could develop their own hospitals, schools, factories, and clean up

their own neighborhoods, they would not need to integrate white spaces or establishments.

But most importantly, he believed that this type of empowerment could only happen

if Black people learned to love themselves, defend themselves, and establish their own economic system.

In his rhetoric, Malcolm X insisted over and over again that “black is beautiful”

and this resonated with many Black people who lived in and had grown up in a society

that told them over and over again, directly and indirectly, that they were ugly.

That their hair was too kinky, that their noses were too wide, that their lips were too big.

The list goes on and on.

This self-love approach extended past an appreciation for one’s physical attributes, though.

Malcolm X began to publicly challenge Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of

nonviolent direct action as they both gained more influence in the early 1960s.

More and more Black citizens began to defect from the non-violent movement and join the ranks

of the NOI after the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham in 1963.

Exhausted from seeing women, children, and peaceful demonstrators abused, tortured, and

even murdered, Black Americans began to defend their right to protest and protect their bodies

in the line of fire.

As NOI membership continued to grow, the FBI and other law enforcement organizations continued

their long history of keeping tabs on Black activists and began infiltrating the organization.

They hired Black people to pose as members of The Nation and planted bugs, wiretaps,

cameras, and other surveillance equipment all around the organization.

And they got really close to the leaders.

One of them even served as Malcolm’s bodyguard.

But as Malcolm’s influence grew, criticisms didn’t just come from outside

the Nation of Islam, it came from inside as well.

And this all came to a head in 1964.

Malcolm made public comments about John F. Kennedy’s assassination stating that

the murder was a consequence of “chickens coming home to roost.”

Elijah Muhammad hadn’t wanted any members speaking on the assassination, and Muhammad

punished Malcolm X by stripping away his ability to do any public speaking for 90 days.

But many saw this as an excuse to shut Malcolm up.

See Malcolm had become the face of the Nation of Islam.

Journalists wrote huge profiles on him.

Interviewed him on the news.

Put his face on the cover of magazines.

And NOI leadership thought that Malcolm had become *too* big,

bigger than Elijah Muhammad,

bigger than the NOI.

And they couldn’t accept that.

Another part of this is that Malcolm was steadily developing his own civil rights framework

that was increasingly at odds with that of the Nation of Islam.

Plus he had become disillusioned with its leadership.

He had heard rumors of Muhammad’s extramarital affairs with young girls in the Nation

and there was also evidence of mishandling of finances by higher-ups.

So in March 1964, Malcolm parted ways with the Nation of Islam

and resigned from his post as minister.

Finally free from the limitations that had been imposed on him, that April Malcolm went

on his pilgrimage to Mecca, and there he went through a phase of enlightenment.

There he changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

And had some important revelations on his trip.

For example, he no longer thought of white people as the inherent enemy.

He wrote in a letter from Mecca, "There were tens of thousands of pilgrims,

from all over the world.

They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans.

But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood

that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white

and non-white...You may be shocked by these words coming from me.

But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange

much of my thought-patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions.”

He did however become concerned that differences over religion

were preventing a united front against racism.

Shortly after returning home, he established the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU),

a name inspired by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) created by the newly independent African states,

all of this following a wave of decolonization, as African countries became independent of

the European powers that had occupied them for so long.

Open to folks of all religious backgrounds (but not necessarily all racial backgrounds),

the OAAU was intended to address Black economic issues

and represent Black American politics on an international level.

He wanted to ensure that Black Americans' plight was regarded as a human rights issue.

Unfortunately, Malcolm X and his organization didn’t have enough time

to truly set that plan in motion.

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated

while giving a speech to a crowd of four to five hundred people at the Audubon Ballroom

in New York City.

A total of 7 shots struck him, killing him immediately.

In many ways, this was no surprise, at least not to Malcolm.

His lawyer at the time of his death, Percy Sutton, stated that Malcolm

“feared for his life” and he carried a gun to protect himself.

He knew that members of the NOI were deeply upset with him, and was acutely aware that his life was in danger.

After his death, the autobiography he had been co-writing with the writer Alex Haley

was published,

and quickly Malcolm X became a cult-like figure.

It is a book that continues to resonate with many people who read it today,

including me.

His legacy influenced new organizations like the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

These organizations continued much of Malcolm’s philosophy, carrying the torch for Black independence,

self-defense, self-sufficiency, and racial pride through what were often even more militant approaches.

His rise from being a young man involved in crime to becoming one of the most important

civil rights leaders in American history, continues to serve as an inspiration

for millions of people who want to change their lives and circumstances

through a process of discipline, self-transformation, and education.

Malcolm X wasn’t a perfect man, in the same way that none of us are perfect people.

But he demonstrated a capacity for growth and evolution whose ultimate manifestations

we never got a chance to fully see.

Who knows where he would have ended up and what he would have accomplished if he had only

had a little more time.

Thanks for watching.

I’ll see you next time.

Crash Course is made with the help of all these nice people

and our animation team is Thought Cafe.

Crash Course is made possible by all of our viewers and supporters.

And we want to thank those who purchased the 2021 Crash Course Learner Coin,

and thank also to our Patrons on Patreon.