Malcolm X had a difficult childhood, growing up in poverty after his father died and his mother struggled to provide for eight children. He dropped out of school and later committed crimes that led to his imprisonment for ten years. While in prison, Malcolm discovered the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and converted to Islam, which inspired him to turn his life around. After being released from prison, Malcolm became a prominent civil rights activist and spokesman seeking equal rights for African Americans. He founded the newspaper for the Nation of Islam and became one of the most famous and sought-after speakers in the United States during the 1960s.

1. Malcolm X
By Makenna Pierson

2. This month is black history
month. I am studying Malcolm
X. Malcolm X was an
extraordinary person. He
started out in a rough place but
then he built up to be a hero. He
has inspired me and I hope he
inspires you. In this essay I will
be talking about his
childhood,adulthood,and
important life events.

3. Malcolm was one of eight children. His
full name is Malcolm Little. In 1929 their
house burned down and his dad died. His mom
was left with eight kids and no help.
Malcolm wanted to prove to his mom that he
could get a scholarship and she would not
have to worry about college. He was smart as
a child. He loved school, he graduated Jr. High
at the top of his class. He wanted to be a
lawyer. Suddenly he lost interest in school
and dropped out.

4. He moved to New York with his friend after he
dropped out. He committed crimes,robbed
banks, and gambled. He was in jail for 10
years. When he was in prison he heard a
message from Elijah Muhammad. He wanted
to know if it was true so he went to the prison
library to read more about him. When he got
out of jail, he turned his act around and
became a civil rights activist. He wanted the
rights of African American people equal to
Americans. He was a public speaker and people
lined up for hours or even days to listen to him
speak. He got married to Betty Shabazz, and
had six children. He looked up to his older
brother, his mom, and Elijah Muhammad.

5. Some of his achievements are
amazing! In December 1953 he became
a minister at NOI's Boston mosque. In
1957, Malcolm founded the NOI
newspaper. In 1963 New York Times
reported that Malcolm X was the
second most sought after speaker in
the U.S. On June 29,1963 Malcolm lead
one of the nation's largest civil rights
events known as the Unity Rally in
Harlem.

6. I know your probably reading
about a lot of amazing people
because it is black history month,
but Malcolm X went from
dropping out of school and going
to jail to becoming a civil rights
activist and being awarded the
second most sought after
speaker in the U.S. So, if you
think about it, he turned around
and changed his life in a positive
way.