How Malcolm Little grew up to be Malcolm X

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Daughter of Malcolm X Ilyasah Shabazz joined Joy Reid on MSNBC’s the Melissa Harris-Perry Show to discuss her new children’s book about her father’s life.

The new book, Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew to Become Malcolm X, explores Malcolm X’s childhood and his personal influences.

“I thought it was important to understand the values that went into a young a young boy to become a Malcolm X, one of the greatest political strategists,” said Shabazz.

The civil rights leader’s daughter said she wanted to share the important role both her father’s parents played in his upbringing. Malcolm X’s parents followed the teaching of Marcus Garvey and instilled his beliefs in their children.

“I think now it’s just wonderful that we could put this children’s book out, that we could humanize him, that we can see the values and accept this enormous figure,” Shabazz said. “He gave so much of himself. He was only in his twenties when the world learned of him. He was 39 when he was killed and look at all of what he did.”

Watch the full interview below:

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.