Religious historian James H. Cone takes the position that in turning to the Nation of Islam (NOI), Malcolm X embraced an essentially marginal experience within the African-American community.[6] Cone, however, does not fully understand the objectives of the Nation of Islam. He states that "the Nation of Islam was not a political organization in that it did not participate in the political options provided by the white American government."[7] At the same time, Cone appears to recognize that the NOI did mount a program of cultural nationalism addressing the economic, social, political, and spiritual needs of a marginalized and oppressed African-American community and it was this as much as the theology of the NOI that drew Malcolm X to it.[8]
. He went on to become the nation's best known advocate of separatism and, according to Russell Adams, was fully committed to black liberation while arguing that any means necessary should be employed to achieve equality characterized by separatism. [9]
Malcolm X followed the lead of Elijah Muhammad in calling for a cultural revolution which would eliminate the brainwashing to which he felt African-Americans had been subjected by mainstream white society. He was also convinced that no accommodation with white society could be achieved and he admitted that his hobby had become "stirring up Negroes."[10] He created Nation of Islam mosques and temples throughout the United States and saw himself as Elijah Muhammad's messenger until December 1, 1963, nine days after the murder of President John F. Kennedy. Malcolm X was ordered to be silent for 90 days by Muhammad after Malcolm had publicly gloated about the president's death and outraged the American public. It was during this period that Malcolm X turned away from Elijah Muhammad after learning that his leader had been having affairs with his secretaries.
It was at this juncture that Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam ...