Although his life was short, he went through many transformations. My paper examines the transformations of Malcolm X. .
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The Many Malcolm's.
Malcolm X led an interesting life. Although his life was short, he went through many transformations. He evolved from a streetwise teenager, to a Muslim minister, and finally, a militant leader of thousands of people in the Nation of Islam. Certain events and people in his life effected those transformations. His life displays how he became one of the most respected, feared, and motivating men in American history. .
Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska to Louise and Earl Little. The youngest of seven children he was favored by both parents. The only child who was allowed to go to work with his father was Malcolm. His father frequently treated Malcolm specially because of his light skin and red hair. Even though Earl was a dark black man, his wife Louise could pass for a white woman. She was born in the British West Indies and passed on a large amount of her Caucasian traits to Malcolm. .
Earl was a Baptist minister and an avid supporter of Marcus Garvey. He was also a member of the Universal Negro Empowerment Association. Since Earl was for black empowerment, the Little family was often in trouble with the Klu Klux Klan. After many attacks, Earl moved his family to Lansing, Michigan. While in Michigan, Earl annoyed the Black Legion - - an organization like the KKK except they wore black robes - - with his black empowerment speeches. As a result, in 1929 their home was burned to the ground. In 1931, Earl Little's body was found dead by a streetcar railway track. Although both incidents were ruled as accidents, it is believed that members of the Black Legion were responsible. (Curtis 13-14) Louise Little never recovered from her husband's death. In 1937, she was sent to the State Mental Institute at Kalamazoo. As a result, her children were separated and sent to various foster homes and orphanages.