Malcolm X Biography

ProjectBy: Kate Sheeder

Malcolm X: A Life of

ReinventionWritten By: Manning Marable

Malcolm X’s beliefs and ideals align with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Institutionalized racism is a large part of the American education system and I wanted to see how that influenced Malcolm X’s education and/or childhood.

Why Malcolm X?Current Events

Lack of Knowledge

In school, I only learned about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. Very little is said about Malcolm X and he has always fascinated me. I thought this would be a great time to learn about him.

Malcolm X Childhood Facts

Born: May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska

Father: Reverend Earl Little

Mother: Louise Little Parents were Civil Rights

Activists. Malcolm was the 7th of 9

children Malcolm’s early life took

place in and around Lansing, Michigan

Stage 4: Industry Versus Inferiority: “Children now want to enter the larger world of knowledge and work. Their theme is “I am what I learn.” Miller pg. 153

Malcolm X and EriksonErikson’s “Eight

Ages of Man”The Little Family’s

Values The Littles believed in

Garveyism (aspect of Black nationalism) and drilled their students on the Black nationalism values.

“...on one morning following the National Anthem...informed his teacher that blacks also had their own anthem.” Marable pg. 29

Malcolm X and EriksonErikson would say that Malcolm

became a Civil Rights activist at a young age thanks to his positively reinforced parental influence.Malcolm’s development fits in with

Erikson’s stage theory—especially stage four.

“Successful experiences give children a sense of industry, a feeling of competence and mastery...” Miller pg 153

Malcolm felt competent and fulfilled alongside his activist parents, sparking a passion for activism himself.

Earl Little left the evening of September 8, 1931 to collect money.

Earl’s body was found split in two under a street car.

Initially deemed a street car accident, activists later deemed Earl a “victim of racist violence.” Marable pg 31

Earl Little’s DeathEarl Little

Malcolm’s Reaction

Malcolm struggled not knowing the truth behind his father’s death.

“Malcolm’s most vivid memory of his father’s funeral was his mother’s hysteria.” Marable pg 31

Earl’s death was an adjustment for Malcolm and he realized as a child that his mother could not adjust.

Malcolm “cast his father as a martyr for black liberation.” Marable pg 32

Piaget on Death During Childhood

Piaget’s cognitive development stages of death concepts: Concrete Operation (7 to 11 years):

children recognize that all living things must die and that death is irreversible, however, they consider death to be caused by concrete elements originating from outside the body and do not recognize death as an intrinsic and natural part of the life cycle.

http://www.paulspencer.com.au/articles/Dr%20Paul_Comprehension%20age%20ofdDeath%20and%20dying%20presentations%20master.pdf

Malcolm X and PiagetPiaget would say that Malcolm fell into

the concrete operation stage during his father’s death. Malcolm was 7 years old. He accepted the idea that death is

irreversible. He knew his father was never coming back.

However, he struggled to understand that death is a natural part of a life cycle. Constantly questioned why his father died

and how he died.

Malcolm X as a Teenager

Malcolm’s mother was institutionalized for most of his teenage years.

He was then raised by his older siblings, and through a juvenile home.

At 16, Malcolm moved in with his half sister, Ella, to Boston.

Malcolm X’s move to Boston changed his view on black culture.

“On the weekends, thousands of blacks congregated in Boston’s busy streets. For the first time in his life, Malcolm saw black-white couples walking together easily, without obvious fear.” Marable pg 37

Malcolm X and VygotskyMalcolm X and His

New Home Vygotsky BeliefsSociocultural

Approach: “A child’s participation in various cultural routines nurtures particular ways of thinking.” Miller pg 218

Malcolm X and Vygotsky

Vygotsky would believe that Malcolm X’s move from Michigan to Boston opened his eyes to new cultural norms and values.

Malcolm X saw Boston as a “thrilling world, a lively, urban environment” and it took hold of his imagination and spirit for years to come.