英语名人堂：马尔克姆·X

马尔克姆·X（英语：Malcolm X，原名马尔克姆·利托（Malcolm Little）[1]，又名艾尔-哈吉·马立克·艾尔-夏巴兹（阿拉伯语：الحاجّ مالك الشباز‎）[2]，1925年5月19日－1965年2月21日），生于美国内布拉斯加州。他是伊斯兰教教士、美国黑人民权运动领导人物之一。批评人士认为他煽动散布暴力、仇恨、黑人优越主义、种族主义、反犹太主义；肯定人士则视他为非裔美国人权利提倡者，以及对于美国白人对黑人罪行的有力批判者。

Malcolm X, a.k.a. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was a black American activist¹ who had a lasting² impact on race relations in America. His speeches and political work helped bring to the world’s attention the evil of racism³ in the USA. He led an extraordinary life that would take him from poverty, crime and prison to being a much respected community leader.

 

He was born Malcolm Little in 1925 but rejected his surname later in life because it represented his slavery past. He adopted ‘X’ to signify his unknown ancestry⁴. Malcolm was top of his class at junior high school and wanted to be a lawyer. A teacher told him he was the wrong colour to study law and he dropped out of high school.

 

He moved to New York in 1943 and slowly became involved in drug dealing⁵, gambling⁶, robbery and other crimes. In 1946, he was sent to prison for ten years. He became an avid⁷ reader and educated himself in many topics. He also converted to Islam and met leaders of the Nation of Islam and the Black Muslims. He left prison in 1952.

 

In 1954, Malcolm X became leader of a Nation of Islam temple in New York. He became well known for his political views and regularly appeared on TV and in newspapers. He became famous around the world. In 1964, Malcolm X made his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he realized all races were the same. Malcolm X was assassinated⁸ while making a speech in 1965.

1 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

2 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

3 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

4 ancestry   

n.祖先，家世

参考例句：

• Their ancestry settled the land in 1856.他们的祖辈1856年在这块土地上定居下来。
• He is an American of French ancestry.他是法国血统的美国人。

5 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

6 gambling   

n.赌博；投机

参考例句：

• They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。
• The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。

7 avid   

adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的

参考例句：

• He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
• She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。

8 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句