The Autobiography Of Malcolm X: The Path To Freedom

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It is August 1831 in Southampton, Virginia. Nat Turner has gathered a host of slaves to plan what is now known as the highest number of fatalities caused by any slave uprising in the American South. Killing roughly 65 people, Turner and his congregation believed this revolt would be part of their pathway to freedom. June Jordan stated so effortlessly in her poem “I can tell you that from now on my resistance my simple and daily and nightly self-determination may very well cost you your life.” With that quote, we remember those like Turner who risked their lives for the fight for freedom. No injustice in our history of living has been overcome without resistance. Even in our everyday lives, we resist pain, grief, among other things. For African Americans, we …show more content…

With slavery in the past, leaders like Malcolm X had a new change to bring about. Racism still existed although black people were considered free and resistance was vital. Malcolm X used his life many times as parallels to these ideas in “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” In the opening chapter of the book, he uses the example of him begging his mother for biscuits, while his brother remained quite. Although his brother was considered a nice boy, Malcolm got what he want by “crying out in protest” (8). He writes, “So early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise” (8). Protesting is what these people did. There were boycotts such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, among many other riots that helped changed the repulsive actions of our country. The Watts Riots in 1965 became a pivotal moment for the Civil Rights movement as it became one of the first violent protest that changed how people viewed change and their freedom. Freedom during this time period meant not only picket lines and strikes, but casualties of war that could cost any perpetrator of racism their

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