erunner of the Black Muslim and Black Power efforts of the modern civil rights movement. Essentially Garvey believed that integration, or justice for the black American, were not attainable goals. He believed that white Americans would never accept people of color on an equal basis; what acceptance was available came at too high a price in loss of culture, pride, and national identity. As a consequence, Garvey supported a mass migration of the black population of the United States in a return to their African roots. In the interim, he supported any efforts that black Americans could make to be more independent and care for themselves, rather that dependent upon the goodwill of white America.
Clearly Malcolm had early exposure to an Afro-centric political position that made his later associations with Elijah Muhammad and the Black Muslims more compatible. Interestingly enough, however, in his autobiography he stated that his father's other association- with Christianity- had little meaning for him (p.5). Early in his life, Malcolm rejected the Christian religion, and all religion, winding up instead on a violent and anti-social path that led him into prison, and eventually into contact with the Black Muslims.
With what we know now about early trauma and exposure to domestic violence and child abuse, Malcolm's path is not surprising. Many children who are exposed to such an intense degree of violence in early life have difficulty creating a more ordered, healthy, and productive environment for themselves. His early life can easily be read in terms of some of the traditional paths that abused children take. He was quite fearful and phobic. He tried to control the people around him. He was increasingly involved in addictive behavior which escalated until it controlled most of his life. Early violence and continued oppression clearly contributed to some of Malcolm's more problematic choices, such as the focus on gambling...