Legends and history are inseparable. "If the true history of the world were ever told - and it never will be - it would be told through myths and legends" (Fleet ix). Malcolm X (1925-1965) was an historical figure who played a mythic role in the African-American consciousness even while he lived. At his death, an antagonistic Time magazine would write grudgingly, "Malcolm X had a hard-core following of no more than 100 - but he was more or less admired by thousands...deep in their hearts" ("Races"). This was a man whose career was born in violence and crime - and whose murder was to presage riots and civil violence that would begin in the Black ghetto neighborhood of Watts, Los Angeles only a few months later, then sweep through the United States for years to follow in cities as far apart as Newark and Detroit. For over a decade of public prominence, Malcolm X made inflammatory and provocative speeches, denouncing white society in terms of "devils" ("Famous" 1). Yet, as the legend goes, by his death he had "modified his views" ("Famous" 1); in this version of "history," the riots of the 1960s would not have been approved by Malcolm X. In contemporary parlance, the image of Malcolm X has been revived in films, commercial merchandising and pop culture. The myth, the message, the history and the man are complicated. Few who invoke the name of Malcolm X pay attention to his complex message.
Malcolm X was born "Malcolm Little" in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. He was one-quarter white, from his mother's side, and for years flaunted his red hair and light-skinned complexion in proud demonstration: "I was for years insane enough to feel that it was some kind of status symbol" ("Races" 2). At the same time, Malcolm was profoundly influenced by his father's advocacy of Marcus Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement. His father was a Baptist preacher, which would account for early influences leading to the adult Malcolm X's mastery...