Malcolm X: Firebrand U.S. civil rights leader remembered Malcolm X, the controversial Muslim minister and human rights activist shot dead 50 years ago, was seen by his admirers as a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks, but by his detractors as a preacher of racism and violence --------------------------------------------------------------- 1925, May 19: Malcolm X born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, fourth of seven children. Baptist minister father Earl and mother Louise are followers of Marcus Garvey 1928: Home in mostly white area of Lansing, Michigan burns to ground. No fire truck is dispatched 1931: Earl Little killed in streetcar accident – Malcolm later claims Ku Klux Klan responsible 1938: Louise Little declared mentally ill and institutionalised 1939: Malcolm sent to juvenile home. Does well at school, earning straight As 1941: Moves in with half-sister Ella Collins in Boston, where he works number of menial jobs 1943: Responds to army draft by saying he wants to fight for Japan and kill whites. Found mentally unfit for military service 1946: Convicted of grand larceny, breaking and entering, and firearms possession. Jailed for 8-10 years 1948: Siblings introduce him to writings of Nation of Islam (NOI) leader, Elijah Muhammad (above), also in prison. They begin to correspond 1952: Paroled from prison, Malcolm moves to Detroit and joins NOI. Rejects surname “Little” as slave name, and becomes known as Malcolm X. Begins recruitment drive to raise NOI membership 1953: Triples membership of Detroit’s Temple No. 1 in one year. Appointed assistant minister, and later first minister of Boston’s Temple No. 11 1954: Appointed chief minister of Harlem’s Temple No. 7 in New York City. Over next five years he boosts NOI membership to 40,000 (supporting 49 temples) 1956: Marries Betty Sanders, who becomes Betty X 1957, Apr: Malcolm sues New York City for police brutality after savage beating of Temple member and wins largest settlement in city’s history, propelling him to national attention. FBI consider him “key figure” meriting significant surveillance Jul: TV documentary profiles NOI and “rise of black racism”, alarming white community and nascent civil rights movement 1960: Malcolm establishes newspaper Muhammad Speaks 1961: Elijah Muhammad appoints Malcolm national representative of NOI. Malcolm increasingly asked to lecture at colleges and participate in media debates 1962, Apr: Malcolm urges action after police kill unarmed secretary of Los Angeles Temple, but Elijah Muhammad resists calls for aggression 1962: Malcolm appalled to learn Elijah Muhammad has had three children with at least three of his young secretaries – their relationship cools 1963: Malcolm says assassination of President John F. Kennedy is “case of chickens coming home to roost,” citing foul play by U.S. around world. Elijah Muhammad forbids Malcolm from teaching or talking to press for 90 days 1964, Jan: Malcolm removed as NOI national representative and minister of Harlem Temple No. 7 Mar: Malcolm suspended by NOI. Announces plan to form separate organisation, Muslim Mosque Inc., but predicts black Muslim leaders will murder him Mar 26: Meets Rev. Martin Luther King while visiting Washington D.C. Apr: Delivers famous Ballot or the Bullet speech. Makes pilgrimage to Mecca where he receives new Islamic name, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Summer: War of words continues with NOI. Malcolm forms Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) to fight for human rights of African-Americans Winter: Malcolm’s mother released from Michigan mental hospital 1965, Jan: Malcolm meets with two NOI secretaries filing paternity suits against Elijah Muhammad Feb 14: Malcolm’s home in Queens firebombed. He says it is “upon the orders of Elijah Muhammad” Feb 21: Malcolm X shot dead by three Nation of Islam members while speaking at OAAU rally in Harlem Feb 27: 1,500 people attend funeral at Ferncliff Cemetery, New York --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sources: PBS, The Estate of Malcolm X Pictures: Associated Press **Activist and founder of Universal Negro Improvement Association 631 words