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Diarys 1960

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1960’s Diary Entries

Ashley M. Martinez

HIS/135

Kim Schuchmann

Diary Entry 1
Witness to the assassination of Malcolm X

Unfortunately, I have witnessed one of the most influential people of my time life taken too soon. Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X became a powerful leader, especially among younger blacks, as a result of his intelligence, his oratorical skills, and his harsh, uncompromising opposition to all forms of racism and oppression (Brinkley, 2012, p. 817). Prior to his achievements Malcolm X was once a drug addict and a pimp who served time in prison. He soon joined the Nation of Islam, which was once an obscure black nationalist group. Malcolm X was one of the most notable civil rights activist. Among his many contributions to the civil rights movement, were instilling that African Americans and White Americans were no different and gave African Americans the courage to protect themselves and what they believed “by any means necessary” (The Learning Network, 2012). The Nation of Islam had a great impact on Malcolm X, he quickly climbed the latter in this organization and began preaching the word Black Muslims. Later on, he began to disagree with the leader of the Nation of Islam over the direction of the organization. In 1964, Malcolm X parted ways with the Nation of Islam and converted to traditional Islam. The organization he once cared and spoke for was what caused his tragic death. At 39 years old, on February 21 1965, “Malcolm X was shot to death inside the Audubon Ballroom in New York by assassins identified as members of the Nation of Islam” (The associated Press, 2014). His death affected many of his believers and the people who stood by him. It was a sad day to see such a man that dedicated his life to the freedom of African Americans see his life taken. In 1965, “before his death Malcolm X was working on a book with writer Alex Haley which attracted wide attention and spread his reputation mainly through the nation” (Brinkley, 2012, p. 817). Although he is gone, his legacy still continues and is a symbol social protest and black power. I am fortunate enough to have lived to see such a movement and to see the start of progression within several civil rights movements.

References
Brinkley, A. (2012). American history: Connecting with the past (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

The Associate Press. (2014). Today in History Malcolm X shot to death in New York. Retrived from: http://www.gastongazette.com/news/local/today-in-history-malcolm-x-shot-to-death-in-new-york-1.280965

The Learning Center. (2012). Malcolm X is assassinated by Black Muslims. Retrieved from: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/feb-21-1965-malcolm-x-is-assassinated-by-black-muslims/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

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