Malcolm X Malcolm X, b. May 19, 1925, d. Feb. 21, 1965, was an influential American advocate of BLACK NATIONALISM, and--as a pioneer in articulating a vigorous self-defense against white violence--a precursor of the black power movement of the late 1960s. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb., he became a rebellious youth after the death (1931) of his father, who the family believed was murdered for advocating the ideas of Marcus GARVEY. Malcolm spent a few years in a foster home but became an excellent student and was voted class president. Nevertheless, at the age of 16, he moved east with relatives and drifted to New York City, where he became involved in Harlem's under