Learning about Malcolm X opened my eyes

Lately I have taken the time to learn about Malcolm X, a man who I know so little about other than that he was a civil rights leader, a black nationalist, and was assassinated.

Before, I was very confused about this man and his beliefs and I saw that he was a very divisive figure. Then I listened to some of his interviews about him disparaging the white liberal and my reaction was "WTF! This guy is a racist", a similar conclusion that some others have reached.

But as I've come to understand the man's beliefs more, I'm still confused but I think that what he was fighting for, when you look at the actual meat of it, isn't racist and moreso empowering for a group which was (and still is) marginalized because of white people.

While I can't say that my beliefs have been totally shaken, this has given me a lot more to think about. A common idea floating around as of late is that you can be racist to white people. I do lean towards the side that says you can be. But knowing what I know now, I feel like I should look more into the reasoning and the context behind why someone says something which is allegedly "racist towards white people" and not just judge something someone says based on rhetoric and if it makes me feel good.

It's all confusing to me right now but hopefully the more I learn of this man the more I can stay out of the way (if you get what I mean).

(Edit: White male here. Just so you guys know who's posting this.)