question icon

Why Did Malcolm X Change His Name?

Category: Literature
Explanation:

Malcolm X changed his name as a symbolic rejection of the surname "Little," which he viewed as a vestige of his family's history under slavery and oppression. Embracing the letter "X" signified his lost African identity, the unknown name stripped from his ancestors by white slave owners. By adopting the name Malcolm X, he sought to reclaim his cultural heritage, affirm his autonomy, and challenge the racial hierarchy perpetuated by colonialism, aiming to inspire Black individuals to embrace their roots and challenge societal norms.

Was this helpful? star star star star star No votes.
Cite this page

Why Did Malcolm X Change His Name?. (2023, Aug 11). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/qa/literature/why-did-malcolm-x-change-his-name

Answered by StudyMoose
One of our experts proficient in Literature provided the explanation to this question. Feel free to rate the answer and let us know if you liked it.
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment