Final answer:
Malcolm X encouraged members of the Nation of Islam to participate in the political process, especially after his transformative pilgrimage to Mecca, leading to his advocacy for the use of ballots to achieve racial equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the leadership of Malcolm X, members of the Nation of Islam (NOI) were encouraged to participate in the political process. This shift was particularly evident after Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca, which led to a radical change in his perspective on race and politics. Prior to this, the NOI, under Elijah Muhammad, advocated for separation from white Americans and was critical of integration efforts within the civil rights movement.
However, after witnessing interracial cooperation during his pilgrimage, Malcolm X came back with a new philosophy, which included the belief that participation in the political process through the use of ballots was crucial for African Americans. He famously declared, "Ballots or bullets," highlighting the urgency of political engagement as a means for achieving rights and equality.