The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told by Alex Haley gives an interesting and brutally honest insight into the life of one of the most infamous political activists in America's history, appealing to a wide range of readers such as those interested in the civil rights movement, readers interested in religion, and those interested in American history. Malcolm recounts the most significant events of his past, from his earliest clear memories up until the final years of his life, and his shift from a house burglar into one of the most devout and well known followers of the Nation of Islam. By the end of his life, Malcolm X was one of the most controversial and noteworthy religious and political activists of his time, and was watched extremely …show more content…
While the autobiography was not solely written by X, the book is composed strictly from the first hand accounts and notes spoken and written by Malcolm X himself, which Haley recorded for the purpose of compiling into the book. The fact that Malcolm was the sole source of information in his autobiography opens the possibility for bias to become an issue, and while Malcolm is obviously biased in favor of his own opinions and beliefs, was surprisingly honest about the shortcomings in his character and mistakes that he had made throughout his life. One subject that X was persistently biased in favor of was his idea that misdeeds committed by poor black people were product of white people’s mistreatment of them. This was evident in multiple situations in which Malcolm had no issue with black people working as drug dealers or prostitutes in order to get by. Malcolm experienced a dramatic shift in his ideals in the middle of his life, which is apparent when the anti-integrationist Malcolm X spoke about how “silly” he felt thinking back on being glad he was lighter skinned as a child, and straightening his hair to appear more white. His islamic views were very present in the retelling of his life, and became evident when talking about his criminal past and extreme drug addiction, although he was inordinately honest about his illicit and dark
The reading on Malcolm X had lots of points that hit everyday society in America for African Americans. Malcolm X was like any other man hustling on the streets to get by, like a lot you see in today society with the drug dealers and such. Starting off Malcolm X was not an intelligent man; he didn’t know how to write without a little slang to his words, he didn’t know how to articulate what he wanted to be said. Malcolm X was convicted of robbery and was sent to Charleston Prison, but was later sent off to the Norfolk Prison Colony School, this is where he gave himself the educated needed to be a well productive citizen. Malcolm X stated, “I saw that the best thing I could do was get hold of a dictionary-to study, to learn some new words (p.211). “I spent two days just riffling uncertainly through the dictionary’s pages.” “Finally, just to start some kind of action, I began copying.” Here Malcolm X is seeing his time being served in prisons to not only be a lessoned learned but to learn something that he knew he would never learn...
The chapter seventeen, of the autobiography of Malcolm X, is about Malcolm X’s experiences during his visit to Mecca to perform hajj He was a Muslim minister, a leader in Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam. In the beginning of this chapter, Malcolm X starts off by telling the readers that all Muslims must attempt the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca at least once, "if humanly able".
The Autobiography of Malcolm X follows the life of an international figure, Malcolm X. During Malcolm’s life he faces the hard facts that no matter how smart and intelligent he is, he will never be held above even the least intelligent white. Blacks are allowed success but only to a certain point. That point declares that Blacks can never infringe on the success of Whites, and when they do so, their ideas, aspirations, and intelligence will be shot down into the racial stereotypes this society has be known to understand.
Malcolm X once wrote, “My life has always been one of changes” (Haley 404). In his autobiography, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, it is very evident that through his life, he went through a series of drastic changes that went from one extreme to another. He went from being at “the bottom of the American white man’s society,” to become one of the most influential advocates of Black pride (150). Throughout the novel the most evident changes are when Malcolm X moves to Boston, goes to prison, and going on Hajj.
X, Malcolm, and Alex Haley. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine, 1999. Print.
...ica. Anna Hartwell states, “Christianity occupies a central place in Malcolm’s account of white supremacy, in both its global and domestic incarnations” (Hartwell). She also states, “Against this Christian tainted legacy, Malcolm X counterpoises Islam as “the true religion of the black man”. Islamic universalism proffered for him an alternative to U.S. citizenship, which had constantly failed to live up to its promises for African Americans” (Hartwell). Malcolm X had an understandable dislike of the system of white supremacy because it is a system that thrives from people being on the bottom who have higher percentages of taxes taken out paychecks even though they make far less than everyone else. The thing about white supremacy is that it affects in a negative way poor people of all colors, but black people suffer the most for obvious reasons. This was the message
Malcolm X was an African American minister and civil rights leader. Unlike many activists of his time, he took a different approach on the movement. In his lifetime, from 1925 to 1965, he was known as an advocate for the rights of blacks, and has been named one of the greatest and most influential men in history.
Historians have focused mainly on the political aspects of Malcolm X; however, his religious ideals were a major contributor to his actions throughout his life (DeCaro 2). At a young age, Malcolm began to experience a more adult phase of religiousness (DeCaro 49). Malcolm X was a follower of Negro prophets. These prophets believed there would be retribution against the white race (Epps 15). This would help to explain his actions and his strong beliefs in Black separation. Everything started while in prison...
Haley, M. X. (1992). The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told to Alex Haley. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
The autobiography of Malcolm X written by Alex Haley tells a wonderful story of a boy who grew up to be a legendary hero. Malcolm Xs character continuously develops throughout the entire novel, allowing the reader to be engaged in his story. The beginning of the text begins with the story of the past, when his mother was pregnant, and instantly the author brings in violence that include the Ku Klux Klan and the description of fear is already being portrayed. Chapter one is titled "nightmare "in this chapter not only does the reader already acknowledge struggle but there is also a background of his father. Over the course of chapter you see Malcolm Xs character develop mostly because his entire perspective constantly changes due to being around
Malcolm X has truly captured the hearts of many. From his empowering personality to his amazing life story, he is a figure history can never forget. His autobiography is a full and honest account of his life, his struggle against racism, mistakes, regrets, choices good and bad, as well as discove...
Of the people whose names are mentioned in history, some men like Thomas Edison are praised for their genius minds, while others such as Adolf Hitler are criticized for leaving a depressing legacy behind. While it is relative easy to notice the type of legacies these two men left, legacies of other men are often vague and they seem to be imbedded in gray shadows. This is how many people view the life of Malcolm X. Malcolm X during his lifetime had influenced many African Americans to step up for their rights against the injustices by the American government. One on hand, he has been criticized for his hard stances that resemble extremism, while on the other hand he has been praised him for his effort in raising the status for African Americans. The extremes in viewing his life from the modern day perspective have often come from reading his climatic speech The Ballot or the Bullet that he gave in many cities across America in 1964. When he was with the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X favored Blacks to be separated from the Whites, and during this time he strongly opposed White Supremacy. This also seems quite prevalent in his speech The Ballot or the Bullet. However, one events during the last year of his life reveal that he wanted the Blacks and the Whites to coexist as peaceful Americans.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley is about a man who changed the history of America. Malcolm (Little) X preached what he believed about racism, discrimination, and segregation. He went through many changes in his fight for equality. The three transformations that really changed the way Malcolm thought and preached where his transformation in prison, his transformation into the Islamic religion (following Elijah Muhammad), and the biggest transformation of all, his pilgrimage to Mecca. In all of Malcolm actions, teachings and transformations we learn different points of view and we get a good look at different aspects of events. The life of Malcolm (Little) X as told in his autobiography should be read by all.
Martin Luther King jr. and Malcolm X are still highly controversial African-American leaders. Martin, a Christian integrationist, and Malcolm, a Muslim nationalist have been a powerful force against racial injustice. Each man sacrificed his life for the freedom of his people; however, Martin and Malcolm had taken very different approaches in achieving equality and identity for African-Americans in the land of their birth.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is about the hard life of an African American man who was very powerful. This book helps people to see the things that Malcolm X contributed to the black community, the Civil Rights Movement, and to the United States. The book begins with Malcolm’s birth in 1925 and ends with his death in 1965. The overall theme is that people who are being oppressed should come together and fight for their freedom, equality, and their basic human right. Malcolm X was determined to be a voice and he dedicated most of his life to the struggle to free oppressed black people in America.