Malcolm Little was a prominent African-American civil rights leader in the 1960s. The spelling of his name, "Malcolm Little," contains two syllables. The first syllable is pronounced as /ˈmæl.kəm/ with stress on the first vowel. The second syllable is pronounced as /ˈlɪt.əl/. The name "Malcolm" means "follower of Saint Columba" in Gaelic. Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925 and later became known as Malcolm X. He played a vital role in the civil rights movement, advocating for Black nationalism, and speaking out against racial oppression.
Malcolm Little, better known as Malcolm X, was a prominent African-American civil rights leader and political activist. Born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, he became a prominent figure in the struggle for racial equality and social justice during the mid-20th century. Malcolm X was a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) until 1964, when he split from the organization and adopted Sunni Islam.
As a dictionary definition, Malcolm Little refers to the birth name of Malcolm X. The name "Little" was derived from his family's last name, but Malcolm chose to discard it and adopt "X" as a symbol of his lost African identity, which he believed had been stolen by slavery. His decision to change his name signifies his rejection of the white-dominated society's imposed identity and his search for his true self and heritage.
Throughout his life, Malcolm X played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of African Americans, speaking out against racial oppression, discrimination, and police brutality. His speeches, writings, and activism emphasized the need for self-determination, pride in African heritage, and unity among Black people.
Malcolm X's powerful oratory skills and unapologetic stance against racial injustice made him a polarizing and influential figure in the civil rights movement. He ultimately became one of the most prominent and respected leaders in the fight for racial equality, and his ideas continue to have a profound impact on social justice movements today.
The name "Malcolm Little" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of a given name and a surname. "Malcolm" is a Scottish name derived from the Gaelic name "Máel Coluim", which translates to "disciple of Saint Columba". "Little" is an English surname that describes someone of small stature. In the case of Malcolm Little, this was the birth name of African-American civil rights activist Malcolm X before he changed his surname to "X" to signify his lost African heritage.