Full Answer
What is the role of Bimbi in the book Malcolm X?
A prison inmate. Bimbi, the most vocal of Malcolm’s fellow inmates, makes speeches that gain him the respect of guards and prisoners alike. He demonstrates to Malcolm the power of independent thought and persuasive argument, and thus serves as an inspiration to Malcolm when Malcolm converts to Islam.
Who was Bimbi Bembry?
To Malcolm X, he was Bimbi – a man whose influence played a significant role in altering the life path of the famed Muslim minister and human rights activist. As Malcolm X wrote in his autobiography, Bimbi was “the first man I had ever seen command total respect … with his words.” To me, he was blood. My father’s oldest brother, John Elton Bembry.
How did Malcolm X change his life?
First, he regained some respect for education and began to read and study again. Then, at his family's urging, he became interested in the religion which was to vault him to national prominence as its foremost spokesman — the Nation of Islam, or "Black Muslims." The most important influence upon Malcolm at this time was Bimbi, another inmate.
What kind of leader is Malcolm X?
The spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm treats Elijah with immense respect even before he knows him, writing him letters daily while still in prison. Though he seems like a benevolent father figure, Elijah Muhammad becomes a jealous and defensive leader as his health fails and as Malcolm becomes more powerful.
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Who is Malcolm X?
Malcolm X (also known as Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, and El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) The narrator and subject of the autobiography. As a young boy Malcolm is bright and popular but feels excluded by white people. He becomes a ruthless hustler on the streets of Boston and New York but undergoes a change of heart during his time in prison.
Who is Malcolm's wife?
Malcolm’s wife, a quiet and strong woman. The autobiography does not emphasize Betty’ s role, though she acts as Malcolm’s secretary, housekeeper, and confidante. Betty endures his busy traveling and work schedule, gives birth to five of his children, and witnesses his assassination.
What is the difference between Shorty and Malcolm?
Shorty is a foil for Malcolm: while Malcolm converts to an aggressive hustler lifestyle, Shorty leads a comparatively normal life. The differences between the two men is clear in Shorty’s surprise at Malcolm’s foul language and violent tendencies, which he witnesses when Malcolm returns to Boston from New York.
Why does Archie pay Malcolm?
An older Harlem hustler. Archie pays Malcolm for helping him run an informal gambling system in Harlem until they break violently over a misunderstanding. Archie’s photographic memory and aptitude in math exemplify the wasted potential of the black ghetto.
What is Sammy the Pimp?
Sammy the Pimp. A Harlem pimp and drug dealer. As close friends, Malcolm and Sammy work together until tension develops between them over Malcolm’s assault on one of Sammy’s girlfriends. This episode shows that even the closest friendships easily crumble when gambling, drugs, and violence are involved.
What does Malcolm do to Reginald?
Malcolm takes Reginald under his wing from an early age and continues to protect him in Harlem. Malcolm’s later justification of Reginald’s eventual insanity as retribution for sinning shows Malcolm’s commitment to the principles of Islam. Next section Malcolm as Malcolm Little. Test your knowledge.
How does Malcolm treat Elijah?
Malcolm treats Elijah with immense respect even before he knows him, writing him letters daily while still in prison. Though he seems like a benevolent father figure, Elijah Muhammad becomes a jealous and defensive leader as his health fails and as Malcolm becomes more powerful.
Who is Malcolm's brother?
Malcolm's siblings, four of whom have converted to Islam, introduce him to the words of the Nation of Islam's leader, Elijah Muhammad, who is himself in prison for sedition and violation of the draft laws.
Where was Malcolm X born?
May 19: Malcolm X is born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, the fourth of Earl and Louise Little's seven children. Earl, a Baptist minister, is a follower of Marcus Garvey's black nationalism and serves as Omaha chapter president of Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. Louise Little serves as the division secretary.
What did Malcolm establish in 1960?
1960. Malcolm establishes a newspaper Muhammad Speaks to promote the Nation of Islam's message. The Nation becomes increasingly involved in a series of other successful business ventures, opening restaurants and grocery stores.
How did Malcolm retaliate?
Malcolm retaliates by making repeated public reference to Elijah Muhammad's adultery. Malcolm also forms the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), reflecting a growing political agenda, and spends nearly five months in Africa visiting heads of state and lobbying for his U.N. plan.
What did Malcolm say about the Kennedy assassination?
Kennedy has been assassinated, Malcolm speaks at a Nation of Islam rally in New York and, in response to a question, describes the foul play that the United States has committed around the world and states that Kennedy's slaying is "a case of chickens coming home to roost." Three days later, Elijah Muhammad, who had ordered Malcolm not to comment on the assassination, responds by silencing him for 90 days, during which time Malcolm is forbidden to teach or talk to the press.
Why did Malcolm fly to Phoenix?
April: Malcolm flies to Phoenix with Elijah Muhammad's son Wallace to confront the Nation of Islam's leader. The three men agree that Muhammad's behavior will be defended by likening it to that of several Old Testament prophets. But when Malcolm describes the idea to several other Nation of Islam ministers, he is accused of inflaming the situation. The next month Malcolm writes a letter of apology to Muhammad, but relations between them continue to cool.
How many temples did Malcolm X support?
Thanks in large part to Malcolm's charisma and tireless recruiting, within the next five years membership in the Nation of Islam swells to 40,000 and supports 49 temples. 1955. Malcolm X attends the first Conference of the Non-aligned Nations in Bandung, Indonesia. 1956.
Who was Malcolm's brother?
Malcolm was paroled to the custody of his brother Wilfred, who lived in Detroit.
What did Malcolm X do to become famous?
Malcolm met Elijah Muhammad personally on a pilgrimage to Chicago and had an opportunity to talk with him at some length. Shortly thereafter, he dropped his "slave name," Little, and took the new name by which he was to become famous — Malcolm X. The "X" denotes an unknown quantity, an original African name. He became personally active in recruitment and, as a reward for his zeal, was eventually appointed minister of the Detroit temple.
What happened to Malcolm in the book?
West Indian Archie found Malcolm at Shorty's that evening and threatened him with a gun. He believed Malcolm had cheated him on the numbers transaction and demanded his three hundred dollars back by noon the next day. Malcolm was in a bad situation: he could not return the money to Archie without damaging his reputation. And, since word had spread that he had cheated Archie, Archie could not afford to lose his sense of honor. To the hustler, reputation is everything. Later, Malcolm encountered Archie in a bar and was threatened again. The next day, he slept until past Archie's deadline, but Archie did not find him. However, he got in a fight with another hustler, who also threatened to kill him. Now he had gangsters investigating the robbery after him, he had Archie after him, and he had made another enemy. His situation looked hopeless. But he was rescued at the last moment: Sammy called Shorty in Boston and Shorty came for Malcolm. They picked up Malcolm's possessions and set out immediately for Boston.
Why did Malcolm and Shorty go to trial?
They had committed the unpardonable sin of being involved with white women, and their sentences reflected how society felt about this. The average sentence for burglary was two years; they were sentenced to ten. Once again, the inequality of the American system toward black people had been witnessed by Malcolm.
What did Reginald tell Malcolm?
Reginald came to visit him later and began telling Malcolm about the doctrines of the Nation of Islam. Now, too, the rest of the family began writing Malcolm about their religion. As he read Elijah Muhammad's teachings on history, Malcolm became more receptive toward the religion.
How old was Malcolm when he was in prison?
Malcolm was twenty-one years old when he entered prison; he was to serve a total of seven years. Early in this period, he earned the nickname "Satan" for his wild, obscene attacks on God and religion. But during his time in prison, he underwent the most important transformation of his life.
What chapter does Malcolm go to prison?
Chapter Eight covers the two days immediately following the end of Chapter Seven . During this time, Malcolm's life was in constant danger; he was trapped, through no fault of his own, in a web of circumstances. But just when he thought he had no choice but to be killed — or to kill someone else and be sent to prison — Sammy and Shorty came to his rescue.
Where does Malcolm meet Bimbi?
Malcolm meets Bimbi in prison. He was a burglar who had been imprisoned for what seemed like a really long time. People were so scared of him that he didn't even have to use physical force to get his point across. Again, not exactly the type of guy you'd look to for wisdom.
Who pushes Malcolm onto the right path?
As unlikely to be mentors as they might seem, Bimbi and West Indian Archie push Malcolm onto the right path using whatever means necessary. They're almost like a tag team, because West Indian Archie gets Malcolm into prison and Bimbi takes care of the rest once he's behind bars.
What subjects did Bimbi study?
History, Sociology, Philosophy, Bimbi probably could have been a professor on any of these subjects if it wasn't for the color of his skin.
Did Bimbi force Archie into the library?
Just like West Indian Archie forced to come out of Harlem, Bimbi forced him into the library. And the rest, as they say, is history.
