Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, was a prominent African American civil rights leader and Muslim minister who played a significant role in the Black liberation movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm X experienced racial prejudice and violence throughout his early life, which ultimately shaped his views and activism.

Malcolm X became involved in the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist religious organization, in the 1950s. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization and became one of its most influential and outspoken leaders. Malcolm X's powerful oratory skills and uncompromising stance on racial justice and Black empowerment made him a polarizing figure in the civil rights movement.

Malcolm X advocated for Black self-determination, self-defense, and economic independence. He criticized the nonviolent approach of other civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., arguing that African Americans should defend themselves against oppression by any means necessary. Malcolm X's message resonated with many Black Americans who were frustrated with the slow progress of the civil rights movement and the ongoing violence and discrimination they faced.

In the early 1960s, Malcolm X's views began to evolve as he embraced Sunni Islam and distanced himself from the Nation of Islam. He undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, which he later described as a transformative experience that led him to embrace a more inclusive vision of human rights and racial harmony.

Tragically, Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the age of 39, while giving a speech in New York City. His death was a great loss to the civil rights movement, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for racial equality and social justice. Malcolm X's autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley, remains a seminal work that provides insight into his life, beliefs, and the struggles faced by African Americans during the turbulent 1960s.