The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

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 Autobiography of Malcolm X, told by Alex Haley, details the incredible journey of one of the most inspiration and life altering leaders the world has ever encountered. The book begins with the illustration of Malcolm’s early life experiences and ends with X predicting that he will die a violent death prior to seeing the publication of his autobiography.

My curiosity has propelled me to read the autobiography of Malcolm X. Malcolm X was one of the most controversial Men in American history. I’m familar with the name Malcolm X however, I’m not familliar with the works and background of Malcolm X. This is why I choose to read the autobiography of Malcolm X written by himself and Alex Haley. Which gives the read an insight on his background, beliefs, and the American society then. I believe that many people including myself have misunderstood Malcolm X. I believe that Malcolm X is misunderstood due to his close affiliations with the Nation of Islam,violence and racism. I have begun to read the autobiography and have found that racism began way before Malcolm X was born and so far is one of

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.

“We're not Americans. We're Africans who happen to be in America. We were kidnapped and brought here against our will from Africa. We didn't land on Plymouth Rock--that rock landed on us.” (Lord, Thornton, and Bodipo-Memba, 1992)

Malcolm states, I can feel him combing, straight back, first the big big comb, then the fine-tooth one. Malcolm can feel the barber combing his head, and his sense of touch tells him how big the comb is, depending on how it feels.It’s evident that the sense of touch does let you know what kind of object is touching you because Malcolm knew what two objects touched him

In his autobiography, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X emphasizes the need of changing racism in America. With many rhetorical choices, Malcolm X is able to exaggerate the urgency of change.

First Malcolm X is best fit for the UNICEF spokesperson job because he is sympathetic. He is sympathetic because he feels for him because of the childhood he has. He had a rough childhood and this is proved through the memoir “ The Autobiography of Malcolm X”. For example the quotes on page 633 state, “ In the street I was the most articulate hustler out there. This proves that he was on the street with little to no money and had to hustle to get food and other things needed for life. Also the text states” I’ve said, will think I went to school beyond the eighth grade”. This proves that he had little or no schooling which means that he was out on the street more trying to earn money then at school. A child shouldn’t have to go through this.

Have you ever wonder, what were the three most important changes that Malcolm had during his life from the beginning to the end? During his life, Malcolm had many attitudes toward his identity as he changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X and finally El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Throughout his experiences as a black human being, he experiences a significant transformation over the course of the autobiography. Malcolm life becomes a quest to resolve the race issues that have always surrounded him from his past to his present. When he was Malcolm Little, he can no longer tolerate being treated as a pet; therefore, Malcolm leaves to the big city to explore his black identity. As Detroit Red, he becomes a hustler in Boston and Harlem, but he eventually gives himself up after recognizing the emptiness mind of this fast lifestyle. In prison, Malcolm mature himself by Elijah Muhammad philosophy and emerges as Malcolm X to get people politically active by extending the Nation of Islam across the United States. Malcolm lastly becomes known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and he starts to focus on developing a global unity between oppressed individuals in America before he passes away from a gunshot. Therefore, the three important changes that transformed Malcolm’s life was the names that he was remembered by and it was Malcolm Little, Malcolm X, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Malcolm X begins his speech with ethos, providing a brief background on who he is and how everyone is different in nature but those differences need to put aside because they are all fighting for the same cause. He gains the audience’s trust by stating who

history especially with his message of ‘nonviolence and violence, integration and separatism, pragmatism and revolution.’ (Raymond). In contrast to the white men who viewed Malcolm X as a ‘tragic victim’, Raymond viewed Malcolm X as one of the most influential people because of his speech in dealing with violence versus nonviolence. According to X, “It's time now for you and me to… realize what the ballot is for; what we're supposed to get when we cast a ballot; and that if we don't cast a ballot, it's going to end up in a situation where we're going to have to cast a bullet.” The ideals and values Malcolm X expressed serve as a foundation for many people to admire especially his nonviolence and violence by the ballot or the bullet. The repetition of ‘the ballot or the bullet’ is key to emphasize the significance of the message Malcolm X wanted to convey, it is either equality through the ballots or it is inequality through the bullets. The impact and the influence of “The Ballot or the Bullet” on today’s society are absolutely notable due to its

African Americans have struggled for equal rights since the dawn of time. The movement to stop that from happening more than 60 years ago. African Americans were slaves until 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. But that did not stop there from being equal rights for African Americans. It wasn’t until one man “had a dream” that we would all be equal. During the same time there was another man trying to do the same thing. But with a different approach. His name was Malcolm Little; Also known as Malcolm X. He was also a Human rights activist. There was an autobiography about his life. Called The Autobiography of Malcolm X. written by Malcolm X himself with Alex Haley.

Malcolm X’s life has been interpreted through various avenues including documentaries, movies, biographies, and his autobiography. Malcolm in public memory falls victim of freeze framing, misconception, and exploitation by groups to promote an agenda. Lee’s interpretation does an adequate job in relaying the life of Malcolm X according to the autobiography collaboratively written by Alex Haley and Malcolm X. Lee uses Malcolm’s autobiography, Malcolm’s wife, and Malcolm’s brothers to inform his interpretation. Lee successfully challenges the mainstream narrative that Malcolm was a violent, black supremacist who had no inclinations of integration into a white society. Expectedly, however, Lee and Haley have agendas.

Malcolm X describes an early time in his life when he lived in the “ghetto” and took part in activities that included gambling and drug dealing. He connects those experiences with nationwide issues at the time: racism, discrimination, and inequality. Growing up, Malcolm had always noticed how people of the white race had a substantial amount of advantages in life. Most things seemed to work in their favor. For those of the darker race, the amount of opportunities they had was not the same; just by their appearance and color, they had immediately been placed at the bottom of society from birth and there was no possible way to rise up.

Malcolm X is the pinnacle example of a man from humble beginnings finding himself, his connection to others, and his voice. His humility made him authentic, meaningful, and resonant with society at large. The Autobiography of Malcolm X has been in continuous publication since its first edition was printed in 1965. Not only a canonized text of Malcolm X’s story, it also contains such an important perspective on the history of inequality. In fact, it has been required reading in public schools for decades. The New York Times called the book, “Extrordinary. A brilliant, painful, important book” (X). Spike Lee, American director who directed the film Malcolm X, Praised the autobiography as, “The most important book I’ll ever read. It changed the way I thought; it changed the way I acted. It has given me the courage that I didn’t know I had inside me.