Book SummaryThe Dead Are Arising, by Les Payne and Tamara Payne

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Dead Are Arising

Malcolm X's formative years and initial encounters

The book explores the genealogy, formative years, and the early life experiences of Malcolm X. The Paynes provide an in-depth examination of Malcolm X's parents, emphasizing their commitment to the principles of the Universal Negro Improvement Association led by Marcus Garvey, their convictions about society, and the adversities they faced as a result of racial prejudice. The writers illustrate the widespread danger of animosity toward African Americans, a threat that was present in Malcolm X's place of birth in the South as well as across the Midwest. In this segment of the story, the authors illustrate how Malcolm's unique outlook and his life's purpose were profoundly influenced by the racial biases his family encountered.

The influence of racial discrimination on the family of Malcolm X.

Malcolm X's mother and father encountered numerous obstacles throughout their existence, encompassing aspects of society, politics, finances, and faith. The Paynes recount how the Little family first encountered threats in Omaha. In this segment of the story, the authors emphasize the entrenched and destructive nature of bigotry, as evidenced by the cooperation among the Ku Klux Klan in Omaha, the area's law enforcement, the judicial sector, and prominent community figures.

KKK threats against Malcolm X's pregnant mother in Omaha as an early introduction to racial violence

Before Malcolm was even born, his family had already endured terrifying acts of violence at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan. Wilfred, Malcolm X's elder sibling, recalls the terrifying incident when Klansmen, brandishing firearms and torches, approached the Little family's timber home near Omaha, Nebraska on horseback. Louise firmly informed the restless assembly that Earl was not present within the dwelling, despite their persistent demands for him to come out. Her family and children were subjected to menacing threats from the Klan.

In a forceful act, one person broke the glass of the entrance by striking it with the butt of his gun. Realizing that calling the police would be useless, Louise contacted her husband, who immediately returned to Omaha by train in order to protect his family. Wilfred and his siblings were profoundly impacted by the incident, leading them to speculate that if their father had been present during the Klan's intrusion, he could have faced assault or even the threat of lynching.

The residence of the Little family in Lansing was intentionally ignited due to racial animosity aimed at African Americans seeking homeownership.

Malcolm's family encountered significant difficulties with white neighbors in Lansing, Michigan, as they lived in a neighborhood that was designated exclusively for white residents due to the existence of legally binding agreements that enforced racial segregation. During that era, the judicial framework maintained rules that barred families of African American descent in the northern regions from acquiring homeownership, thereby denying them their rightful chance to possess property.

Residents of the area took legal action by submitting a lawsuit to the Ingham County Circuit Court, seeking to force the Little family to vacate their home. The judicial ruling allowed for property ownership, but residing on the property was prohibited. Flames completely enveloped the house, leading to its destruction after a nocturnal fire erupted. Malcolm's older siblings, who were still youthful, vividly remembered the terrifying ordeal of being startled from sleep by an explosion and quickly fleeing their residence just before it was consumed by fire when he was only four years old. The fire department did not respond to the fire. Malcolm's father faced a prolonged detention while he disputed accusations of deliberately setting fire to his own home, yet eventually, these charges were dropped for want of proof.

The persistent risk of racially motivated aggression was underscored by the constant threats and intimidation from the Ku Klux Klan during Malcolm X's early life.

Payne documents the activities of the Ku Klux Klan in Omaha and Lansing, exploring the potential complicity or support of city officials and political leaders in these areas with the group. Omaha witnessed the formation of its first Klan chapter shortly prior to Malcolm's family settling in the city, a development sparked by the tragic and wrongful lynching of Will Brown, an African American man. The Ku Klux Klan, a group advocating white supremacy and growing in power, boldly paraded down the streets of Omaha and expanded their reach into politics with aspirations to hold governmental offices.

After the Little family's home in Lansing was destroyed, there was widespread conjecture that the Ku Klux Klan or the related Black Legion might have been involved in the event. Malcolm's early years were influenced by the persistent menace of the Ku Klux Klan, compelling his family to urgently relocate from the antagonism in Georgia, an experience that imprinted a deep sense of racial discord that stayed with Malcolm throughout his life.

Malcolm X held the deep-seated belief that white supremacists were responsible for his father's death, which significantly shaped his outlook on life.

The narrative explores the events that led to the death of Malcolm's father when Malcolm was merely six years old. Earl Little's death was officially ruled an accident involving a streetcar, yet there were later conjectures that his demise could have been a deliberate act carried out by the KKK or the Black Legion. Malcolm X stood alone among his siblings in his steadfast belief in this narrative. Malcolm was convinced that his father's death was the result of deliberate actions by white supremacists, even though there was no solid evidence to substantiate the accusation of murder and the autopsy indicated he died from an incident involving a tram.

Malcolm frequently...

The Dead Are Arising Summary Malcolm X transitioned from a life of crime to becoming a devout follower of Islam.

Feeling alienated from white society and given that his family was scattered and not in a position to achieve financial stability, Malcolm turned to petty crimes and trickery for his livelihood. The author documents a pivotal change that Malcolm X experienced during his time in prison. In 1948, when he was twenty-two years old, he became a follower of the Nation of Islam, convinced that it was a religion that resonated deeply with African Americans. Malcolm attributed this crucial change as the foundation for his rise to prominence as a Muslim minister, writer, and speaker in the 1950s.

Malcolm X participated in various unlawful activities at the street level.

Malcolm's descent into unlawful behavior as a young man in Lansing stemmed not from a desire to inflict damage or for self-enrichment, but from his rejection of the menial jobs commonly assigned to African Americans during that era. After moving to Boston and later to Harlem, he persisted in his involvement with unlawful endeavors. Malcolm consistently demonstrated an unwavering resolve to surmount the obstacles he encountered, embracing a worldview that advocated for the utilization of every accessible tool and...

The Dead Are Arising Summary Malcolm X's rise through the ranks of the Nation of Islam significantly influenced its leadership and overall trajectory.

The Paynes' narrative documents the substantial growth of the Nation of Islam beginning in the 1950s. Upon the disappearance of Fard Muhammad, it was Elijah Muhammad who established the organization's headquarters in Chicago. While Malcolm was imprisoned, his older brother Wilfred joined the Nation of Islam, which was based in Detroit. Upon his release in 1952, Malcolm swiftly rose to a significant role, serving as a clergyman and the leading voice for the Harlem congregation. The Paynes document Malcolm's remarkable talent for drawing adherents, especially in the U.S. Northeast, and they also note the widening philosophical rift with his mentor.

The establishment of the Nation of Islam.

The Paynes chronicle the emergence of the spiritual movement, beginning with Timothy Drew, who adopted the name Noble Drew Ali, establishing the Moorish Science Temple in Newark, New Jersey, in 1913. The writers document the influence of a movement that echoed across African American communities throughout the country on Drew's group. The founding of the Moorish Temple by Drew saw its expansion into several cities in the Midwest, including Detroit, after he moved to Chicago.

The narrative...