Dunn’s Civics > Black History > Crafting a Black Identity in the American Empire

Malcolm X

Malcolm X, 1925 – 1965, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, went to prison when he was 20 for breaking and entering. 

He subsequently joined of the Nation of Islam and became one of its leaders, advocating black supremacy and the separation of black and white Americans.

To his admirers, Malcom X was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans.  

To his detractors, he was a violent, racist, antisemitic, black supremacist.

Which do you think he was?  Give reasons for why you feel this way.