Malcolm X was a man who had a too-short life with many unfair and sad occurrences. Despite that he has sent a powerful message out that is still very relevant to people today. About a month before his death he spoke these words, " I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color." .
According to several biographies Malcolm Little left school embittered after a junior high school year teacher told him being a lawyer was "no realistic goal for a nigger". The brutal murder of his father and blatant racism by insurance and welfare workers contributed to the split up of his family and the breakdown of his mother. This likely helped form his decision to quit school and began his downward slide and turn to crime; at this point in his life he was not what one looks for in a role model, but it is possibly overcoming such great obstacles to become a great leader that inspires so many. The many books and Internet sites created to honor or discuss Malcolm X confirm that many people considered him a great role model even almost forty years after his death. .
As for the beginning of Malcolm X's life he did not have a very positive affect on people's lives. When he was only seventeen he drank and smoked pot and was part of a burglary gang. But after his transformation to the Islamic religion he became a whole new man. He had then inspired many African Americans to join the struggle for Civil Rights and believed that blacks should strive for more than just equality. He had also started the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU). The Organization of Afro-American Unity's goal was to encourage black Americans to vote and take part in politics. For the first time after his change of religion he had begun to work with other black leaders, such as the members of the National Association of Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).