The history of the Black American begins not in America, but in the Black Mans native continent; Africa. Some four hundred years ago the first Black Man was kidnapped from his home and forced onto a ship taking him to the unknown wilderness of North America. The first Black and the many that followed were to serve one purpose; the white mans slave. Here in North America the Black Man was to pick the white mans cotton, and tend to his every need. Slavery continued up until January 1st, 1863 with the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. The end of slavery was not the end of oppression, for another one hundred years the Black Man was forbidden to drink from the same fountain or even be educated in the same building as his white count

day as any other Muslim would. These rules were followed to a tee, any member who didn't follow these rules could expect a suspension.

The early part of the 20th century saw a rise in Black lead organizations, religious and secular that were able to reach out the to average Black citizen and provide some much needed strength to his severely damaged psyche. Years of slavery and abuse at the hands of his white slave masters had even the Black man believing he was inferior. A young Malcolm X grew up believing that because "I was called nigger so much I figured it was my name." One teacher even went as far to dash young Malcolms ambitions to be a lawyer, for "a lawyer - that's no realistic goal for a nigger ... think about something you can be ... why not ... carpentry?"(Perry 42)

Malcolm Little was born to Earl and Louise Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. Earl was a member of the U.N.I.A and was even elected president of the Omaha branch. When Malcolm was six his father died. Malcolm grew up believing that Earl had been killed by whites in retaliation for the spreading of Marcus Garveys' word. On January 9, 1939 Louise Little was adjudged insane and committed to an asylum. Malcolm soon went from foster home to foster home, although he did like some of these places he was never able to fully fit in. Malcolm was put the home of Lois Swerlein for whom he had a motherly fondness of, and they too enjoyed having Malcolm as a part of their home, but they too saw no problem in referring to Malcolm as a "nigger."(Banks 39) Malcolm tried to ignore such things, he claimed they bothered him "only vaguely."(Banks 39) on another occasion Malcolm admitted the names did bother him enough to "make him wish he were white."(Banks 39) At the age of fifteen Malcol!

During 1932 Temple Number One of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam was founded by Wallace Fard in Detroit. Within two years he had gained eight thousand followers along with an elementary school, training classes for women and a private security force, the Fruit of Islam. In June 1934 Fard dissapeared and Elijah Muhammad assumed control of the Nation of Islam. Each member was to follow a strict set of rules aimed at bettering himself and his fellow Black man. "Members were forbidden to spend any money on alcohol, drugs, gambling or any other vices. Each member was expected to contribute ten percent of their income to the movement ... a great portion of their remaining income should be put toward helping other African Americans."(Perry 51) Along with those rules traditional Southern cuisine was frowned upon and seen as unhealthy, especially pork. Muslims were expected to be neatly dressed and well spoken at all times. At the age of seven each member is expected to pray five times a !

s pent up rage. His regimen of self-improvement was in keeping with the Nations credo of discipline: mental, spiritual, and moral. After his release from prison Malcolm became a prominent member in the Nation and elevated it to a national platform. Malcolm continued to preach and draw in newcomers in large numbers, his fiery speeches ignited the pride in many Black hearts. Malcolm experienced difficulties with Elijah Muhammad and on March 8, 1964 he formally announced he was leaving the Nation. Malcolm was assassinated on February 21, 1965. All three of his murderers were identified as members of the Nation. This combined with Elijahs supposed adultery was another scandal that badly damaged the Nations image.

g with the U.N.I.A was the Noble Drew Ali leading the Moorish Temple. Where as the U.N.I.A was a non-religious movement aimed at restoring the Black Man to Africa

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Approximate Word count = 2447
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)