Malcolm X is best known for being a minister and an activist. He was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. However, he spent most of this life in Michigan. His father was also an activist and was a part of a group called UNIA.
At 21 years old, Malcolm X went to jail. While he was in jail he learned of Elijah Muhammed and dropped his last name as he converted to Islam. After that, he changed his name and rejected his last name Little which he called his slave name.
After he was released from prison he became a prominent leader and minister. Because of his preaching, membership grew to thousands of people. As this happened Malcolm X started to become famous as a minister in the Nation of Islam and in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X wanted Black people to be able to have equal rights and freedom but he also did not want Black people to be defenseless.
