Alex Haley, the author of Roots?

Like the end of the movie implied, he has been erased from the history books. I've only caught small mentions of him throughout my years of school. I respect him, because although he changed his opinions, he was willing to die for what he believed in. One of my really great friends used to be in The Nation of Islam but I'm afraid to approach the subject because he left it and I don't want to put our friendship in jeopardy.