It has long been said that people turn to religion in their most desperate and lonely moments. This theory was very evident in the lives of two very different real-world people: Black Elk and Malcolm X. Black Elk, a Lakota Sioux Indian, and Malcolm X, an African American, had many similar experiences despite their differences in geographic location. , methods and religion. Malcolm Malcolm X's father was a Baptist minister; ironically, however, X began to hate all religions. In fact, once 4, 177). However, as he aspired to be a “better” person and sought purpose in life, his views on religion changed. In these dark moments of his life, After writing a letter and receiving a response from Elijah Muhammad, X began to support the idea that Islam was the original religion of African Americans and that history had been “whitewashed” by the white man (208). Overall, X needed an explanation for... middle of the paper... ces. Malcolm X may be seen as someone who used Islam as a tool to jumpstart his career and spread his movement, but Malcolm X also practiced what he preached. Black Elk, on the other hand, found commonalities among his people and rallied his people to fight the wasichus in an unwinnable war. Nonetheless, both men, whose efforts date back to colonial America, were leaders who turned to their faith for guidance in life's most desperate moments. Works Cited Busby, Brittany and Andrea Risjord. "Malcolm X." Introduction to Religion 100. Oxford College of Emory University. Alpha 257, Oxford, Georgia. Keynote.Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine Book, 1973. 170+. Print.Neihardt, John. The Black Elk Speaks. Twenty-first century edition. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1988. 01+. Press.