英语名人堂：马尔克姆·X

马尔克姆·X(英语：Malcolm X，原名马尔克姆·利托(Malcolm Little)[1]，又名艾尔-哈吉·马立克·艾尔-夏巴兹(阿拉伯语：الحاجّ مالك الشباز‎)[2]，1925年5月19日-1965年2月21日)，生于美国内布拉斯加州。他是伊斯兰教教士、美国黑人民权运动领导人物之一。批评人士认为他煽动散布暴力、仇恨、黑人优越主义、种族主义、反犹太主义;肯定人士则视他为非裔美国人权利提倡者，以及对于美国白人对黑人罪行的有力批判者。

Malcolm X, a.k.a. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was a black American activist who had a lasting impact on race relations in America. His speeches and political work helped bring to the world’s attention the evil of racism in the USA. He led an extraordinary life that would take him from poverty, crime and prison to being a much respected community leader.

He was born Malcolm Little in 1925 but rejected his surname later in life because it represented his slavery past. He adopted ‘X’ to signify his unknown ancestry. Malcolm was top of his class at junior high school and wanted to be a lawyer. A teacher told him he was the wrong colour to study law and he dropped out of high school.

He moved to New York in 1943 and slowly became involved in drug dealing, gambling, robbery and other crimes. In 1946, he was sent to prison for ten years. He became an avid reader and educated himself in many topics. He also converted to Islam and met leaders of the Nation of Islam and the Black Muslims. He left prison in 1952.

In 1954, Malcolm X became leader of a Nation of Islam temple in New York. He became well known for his political views and regularly appeared on TV and in newspapers. He became famous around the world. In 1964, Malcolm X made his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he realized all races were the same. Malcolm X was assassinated while making a speech in 1965.