Malcolm X

He joined a movement called the Black Muslims in 1952, an organisation which was formed in 1930 and called for the separation of Blacks from mainstream society.

Malcolm Little changed his name to Malcolm X and became the leader of the movement in 1963.

Contrary to Martin Luther King who advocated non-violence, Malcolm X advocated violence for Black people to obtain what they wanted. According to Malcolm X, non-violence could not permit Blacks to obtain what they wanted – only violent methods could. That's the reason why they opted for revolutionary violence and self-defence.

In 1964 he left the Black Muslims to establish the Organisation of Afro-American Unity, declaring that he was in the favour of peace between the races.

He was murdered (most probably by Black Muslims) in Harlem, New York, after a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he saw religious black and white Muslims together in harmony and adopted a less confrontational approach.

Spike Lee directed a film, Malcolm X (1992) with Denzel Washington in the main role.