Final answer:
Malcolm X embraced the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist religious sect, as it provided a solution to the struggles faced by African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malcolm X embraced Islam, specifically the Nation of Islam, because he believed that it offered the solution to the struggles and injustices faced by African Americans. The Nation of Islam, led by Elijah Muhammad, preached black nationalism and taught that African Americans were the original people of the world.
Malcolm X found comfort and empowerment in the teachings of the Nation of Islam and saw it as a means to combat white racism and achieve freedom and justice.
However, after Malcolm X's trip to Mecca and his exposure to orthodox Islam, his views on race and integration began to change. He learned that Islam preached the equality of all races, which influenced him to advocate for interracial cooperation and reject the separatist ideology of the Nation of Islam.