Idol worship in Netflix’s who killed Malcolm X
While the majority of viewers of Who killed Malcolm X were trying to solve the murder, I noticed something strange. Towards the end of Malcolm X’s and Elijah Muhammad’s dysfunctional father-son relationship, an opportunity presented itself. Let’s explore the thin line between a mentor and an idol.Â
Malcolm never had a positive father figure until he was almost 30. He lost his father as a child, ran the streets, and spent time in jail. When introduced to Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm surrenders his ego and life for the N.O.I. There are many videos of Malcolm giving credit and praise to Elijah Muhammad for saving his life and teaching him everything he knew.
Elijah Muhhamad is credited for saving millions of lives of black people. Muhhamad was projected as an urban Moses leading people to the nation of Islam, except he wasn’t Moses. Convincing his followers and Malcolm X during this time would’ve probably been impossible.
However, it’s imperative to understand the desperate conditions of black people mentally, spiritually, economically, and physically at this time. The timing for a black leader couldn’t have been more perfect. Elijah Muhammad’s blueprint was able to help people with every single condition mentioned above.
Unfortunately, when groups begin to worship the messenger more than the message, idol worship has already started. For example, imagine in the old testament if the Jews began to worship and praise Moses more than Jehova? Would Moses have stopped them and redirected their attention to God?
Call it history repeating itself or whatever you want. The spiritual desperation of the black community was looking for a savior. Even F.B.I. Director J.Edgar Hoover acknowledges this with his fear of the rise of a black messiah. Hoover wasn’t talking about Jesus or Muhammed resurrecting coming back to the inner city.
Furthermore, Elijah was electronically tapped more than Martin Luther King by the F.B.I. Supports this claim. Possibly Malcolm was too busy thanking Elijah for turning his life around. He should’ve given Allah more credit. The expectation was too high for Elijah that any slight done to Malcolm would’ve been felt to the extreme. And this is precisely what happened.
Malcolm and his family are threatened with eviction from his house by the N.O.I. Despite giving 12 years of his life and bringing more followers to the nation than anyone else ever had up to that point. The eviction was the last straw for Malcolm, who retaliated with personal information to taint Elijah’s image.
There are very few historical textbook examples of idols becoming rivals as good as Malcolm and Elijah’s relationship. The final blow, however, would come from the heavyweight champion of the world.
Who killed Malcolm X not only illustrated The mentor/father figure line is blurry for Malcolm but did Elijah Idolize Muhammad Ali?. Idol worship isn’t just public adoration and naivety. Both Elijah and Malcolm saw Ali as an opportunity to gain more followers.
For instance, the charisma, and boldness of Ali would give the N.O.I. Access to the living rooms of America. Far more outreach than the street corners of the inner city.Â
How is it possible the most militant religious movement in black American history could fall victim to idol worship? The N.O.I. is predicated on a “do for self” mentality. No begging and asking for handouts from the white man. After all the N.O.I. grew excessively with just Elijah and Malcolm on good terms.
As a matter of fact, Elijah was a multimillionaire and his businesses were still growing. Just as Malcolm found the nation on his own, Elijah should have let Ali do the same. The nation would have grown with or without Ali.
Eventually, Ali would side with Elijah, which forced X to realized his days were over as an N.O.I. Member. Which is precisely why you have to kill your idols.
But It’s possible for other icons to worships idols as well. Rarely can they co-exist in a long term relationship? At some point, one must cancel the other. Â
Elijah was better socially aware of how to connect with people than Malcolm was. Less bold, more down to earth, more accomplished and mature. Malcolm was loud, outspoken, and always spoke his truth even at inappropriate times.
No matter which angle you look at the murder of Malcolm X, idol worship is not far. Hoover feared Elijah was the next black messiah equals idol worship. Thousands of followers of the N.O.I. Praising the Messenger(Elijah) more than the message and Allah equals idol worship.
Furthermore, Malcolm’s mentor/idol perception of Elijah, Idol worship. It’s essential to humanize those who help us and to remind those we help that were never perfect.Â
In conclusion, what or Who killed Malcolm X?.His Idol worship of Elijah Muhammed? Possibly. By the time Malcolm X began to focus more on Allah, it was too late. Or Other idol worshippers perhaps killed Malcolm, as Mosque #25 from Newark New Jersey suggests.Â
Who was behind the killing of Malcolm X? Let us know in the comments below.