The Autobiography of Malcolm X is the story of Malcolm X, an African American male growing up in the United States in the mid-1900's. At this time in America prejudice and segregation were widespread and much a part of everyday life. Malcolm takes the reader through his experiences with American society, which rejects him. This rejection, along with the inferiority cast upon all Black Americans, forces these males to search for acceptance. They are forced to search for purpose in causes greater than single individuals. As the book shows, this is evident in Malcolm throughout his life and in the life of other African American males. The Autobiography shows how during this time in American history
Malcolm X, an African American leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, was a significant individual in the African American fight for justice and equality. In contrast to the mainstream Civil Rights Movement with its nonviolent pursuit of integration, Malcolm X voiced concepts of race pride and Black Nationalism during the 1950s and '60s. Although many argue that Malcolm X did not actually “do” anything for the black community, his nontraditional programs brought a new perspective to the Civil Rights Movement, and this perspective is of relevance today in the black community.
The author’s purpose for writing the book was for the reader to gain knowledge of Malcolm X as an individual and not as a phenomenon. He wanted to deliver truths that spanned his brief lifetime.
Essentially, the group believes in the racial superiority of blacks, a notion supported by a complex genesis fable, which includes an envious and evil white scientist who put a curse on blacks. The faith became a focus for Malcolm’s fury about his family’s treatment at the hands of whites (specifically the Ku Klux Klan), the lack of opportunities he had as a young black man, and the psychological damage of systematic racism (Ferran, 1992). There, in prison, he converted to the Nation of Islam (McGill, 2011). This group is commonly considered to be an extremist radical group of African Americans. In order to educate himself, Malcolm spent extensive time reading books within the prison library and even, memorizing a dictionary. Additionally, he sharpened his legal skills by participating in debate classes. Following tradition, he replaced his last name with an “X,” a custom among Nation of Islam followers who considered their familial names to have originated with white slaveholders (Mamaiya, 1).
Malcolm X was one of the primary religious leaders and reformers of the 1960, where he fought for and ultimately gave his life for racial equality in the United States. His father was a reverend who believed in self-determination and worked for the unity of black people. Throughout Malcolm’s life he was treated horribly by white people, hence shaping his misconceptions of all white people and developing his strong belief in black separatism. It wasn’t until years later where he embraced his black identity and discovered all races could live and work together for a common goal, brotherhood.
- [ ] The focus of this speech will be to look in to the pros and cons of X and as well to have a better overview of his thought process. We will examine some of the many doctrines of Malcolm X- which where his “common enemy” theory, idea of can one go against their own race for the greater good of another race. We will as look in to the party that he played in the Black Panther Party .In the end we look at both sides of his argument in the best way possible.
Malcolm X, one of the most influential leaders in the Black community, transformed American values with his unfiltered statements and his determination for Black liberty and power. However, his controversial solutions concerned many, as he expressed comments that seemed intimidating, twisted, and somewhat vengeful, even though he contained honest intentions within his heart. He held many violent undertones in which made the white-folk very uncomfortable. In addition, his words caused the violent rebellions and delegitimized Martin Luther King’s non-violent resistance as a philosophy for the fool. People had claimed he was a racial segregationist, as he believed in all whites to be “devils.” He was asked questions like did he advocate violent methods to obtain liberty for blacks, as he supported Africans Rifle Clubs, and he inspired many clubs for creating violent Clubs. As Malcolm once said, “There is no such thing as a non-violent revolution.” In contrast, Malcolm denied these allegations of promoting violence, and his point of view shows the reason how and why the blacks had reacted in that manner. Later, however, Malcolm X did follow the “Honorable Elijah Mohammed,” and had always followed and believed in him. He followed the doctrines of how whites was “inherently” evil,” and could not enter Mecca, due to their skin color. Not only had that he criticized all whites for the problem of the blacks. He also called the whites on their guilty nature, so justifying the
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley is the story about a man who greatly impacted American history. Malcolm Little, or Malcolm X as he is more widely known, taught what he believed in regards to segregation, racism, and discrimination. Growing up in a large family with a father Earl Little, a Baptist minister, and his mother Louis Little, who was a homemaker, Malcolm’s life at the time seemed very promising. His father’s involvement in support of the Black National gained him many death threats at the hands of white supremacists. In 1929, they lost their house to fire, and two years later the body of Malcolm’s father was found mutilated. This lead to the emotional breakdown of Malcolm’s mother and in turn she was institutionalized. Malcolm and his siblings were separated and placed in foster homes, and from then, his life began a path of drugs, sex, and crime. It was not until he was imprisoned in 1946, that he decided to make some changes for the better. This essay will assess and discuss those changes whether negative or positive, on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. It will also cover some of the effects of racial prejudice on human behavior, and how society today keeps the ideology of Malcolm X alive.
The author uses pathos and logos in the autobiography of Malcom X to tell us that he fought throughout his life and preceding the events that occurred which made him a strong African American leader in history up till date. Everything being talked about Malcolm’s storyline has to do with race, knowledge, prejudice and transformation. It will be noticed if critically examined that common arguments made all through the book are how blacks were maltreated making them inferior to white folks. It all starts from the intrusion by breaking Malcom’s home window by the hooded Ku Klux in Omaha, Nebraska. His father Earl little was the target, a fearless and strong Georgian Baptist preacher and also a member of universal Negro improvement Association (UNIA) which fights for the return of American blacks to Africa. Louise little, Malcolm’s fair- skinned mother, an educated woman was a homemaker occupied with the family’s eight children.
At a young age, Malcolm saw the ways in which blacks were seen as inferior,
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is an account of Malcolm X’s evolving perspective on racial justice. Malcolm X was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who advocated for black nationalism and separatism. The man who became one of America’s most powerful voices for African Americans was deeply affected by the terrors of racism, which shaped his view of social justice and the condemnation of the white man. The way Malcolm X narrates his experiences changes as his views on race change. At first, he wants readers to feel the destructiveness of racism, so he conveys his experiences through provocative language. When he aims to promote universal peace, he takes on a more optimistic tone. As a
The focus of this speech will be to look into the pros and cons of X and as well to have a better overview of his thought process. We will examine some of the many doctrines of Malcolm X- which were his “common enemy” theory, idea of can one go against their own race for the greater good of another race. We will as look into the party that he played in the Black Panther Party .In the end, we look at both sides of his argument in the best way possible.
To begin, Malcolm X’s speech detailing his his political views on black nationalism, the hypocrisy of the United States, as well as the radical steps needed to be taken by the black community to achieve equal rights, is laden with elevated language in order to create an ethical appeal to the audience. For example, Malcolm X states that “The political philosophy of black nationalism only means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community” (par 2). The use of the elevated language, such as “philosophy” and “nationalism”, sophisticates the speech altogether, which successfully reflects the professional tone used by Malcolm X, as well as the seriousness of the matter; which, in turn, strengthens the overall argument being made. Moreover, through Malcolm X’s sophistication of language, and thus the speech, it
When those of us are asked to think of the legacy of a man, who confronted the issues at hand and pointed the fingers at the root and the existence of the problem, we think of Malcolm X. You begin to think of the powerful speeches and the passionate remarks made about the pressing issues that were at hand and you
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley is the story about a man who greatly impacted American history. Malcolm Little, or Malcolm X as he is more widely known, taught what he believed in regards to segregation, racism, and discrimination. Growing up in a large family with a father Earl Little, a Baptist minister, and his mother Louis Little who was a homemaker, Malcolm’s life at the time seemed very promising. His father’s involvement in support of the Black National gained him many death threats at the hands of white supremacists. In 1929, they lost their house to a fire, and two years later the body of Malcolm’s father was found mutilated. This lead to the emotional breakdown of Malcolm’s mother and in turn she was institutionalized. Malcolm and his siblings were separated and placed in foster homes, and from then, his life began a path of drugs, sex, and crime. It was not until he was imprisoned in 1946, that he decided to make some changes for the better. This essay will assess and discuss those changes whether negative or positive, on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. It will also cover some of the effects of racial prejudice on human behavior, and how society today keeps the ideology of Malcolm X alive.