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Chapter Thirteen  

Minister Malcolm X

With gaining more respect for Mr. Muhammad, Malcolm began visiting him in Chicago. Soon after his visit, Malcolm was sent to Boston to visit Brother Lloyd X and teach others about the Nation of Islam. While in Boston, Malcolm met up with Shorty who was focused on music and his band rather than listening to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. In March 1954, Malcolm moved to Philadelphia to be a minister at Temple 12. His traveling continued when he moved to Temple 7 in New York City. There he encountered West Indian Archie, only to learn about Sammy’s death. By June of 1954, Malcolm’s teachings only encouraged more African Americans to become members of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm continued to travel back and forth from Philadelphia, to Springfield, to Massachusetts to start new temples and finally in 1955, Malcolm opened Temple 15 in Atlanta, Georgia. Malcolm received a Chevrolet from Mr. Muhammad as a gift in 1956. Mr. Muhammad knew that Malcolm would use this gift only to travel more and spread the word of the Nation of Islam to every person who would listen. In 1956, Malcolm noticed Sister Betty X, the first woman he took noticed of in years. She caught his eye and Malcolm asked her to marry him in 1958. Malcolm fulfilled his life in marrying a smart, beautiful woman who was a follower of the Nation of Islam on January 14, 1958 in Lansing.