Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965) was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist, who was a popular figure during the Civil Rights Movement. Best known for his controversial advocacy for the rights of blacks, some consider him a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans, while others accuse him of preaching racism and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African-Americans in history.