Haley, M. X. (1992). The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told to Alex Haley. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
The autobiography of Malcolm X captures the personal growth and the journey of Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X. Throughout his life, Malcolm’s experiences shaped him into the human rights activist that we are all familiar with today. In his early age Malcolm believed every white person was malicious, he was a criminal, and he believed that Christianity prevented the progression of African Americans- later on in life, Malcolm became a controversial human rights activist, believed that white people were “well-meaning” people, and was a devout Muslim (pg. 383).
Alex Haley’s, Autobiography of Malcolm X, continues to teach us of the prominent African American leader in the Nation of Islam. He starts off before Malcolm Little was even born, talking of his father and mother and how white members of the KKK drove his family out of their home and into Lansing, Michigan. In Lansing, their family was harassed once again by a white racist group, the Black Legion. Malcolm’s father died when he was six, and his mother was placed in a mental hospital seven years after this incident.
Autobiography of Malcolm X takes place during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, and illustrates the life of an African American man spent majority of his life fighting for equal rights. Throughout the book, Malcolm X expresses his negative perspective toward white supremacy and actively speaks on behalf of his people for equality. One of the most life changing event in his life was when he converted to Islam. Religion played an important role in his awakening because it removed the blindness from his eyes and showed him that white people were the reason African Americans are suffering on a day to day basis. This essay investigates how Malcolm X’s autobiography puts into perspective how race is extremely complex race that no one can truly
We can say that different people have their own hardship in their life. However, for Malcolm X, he came from minority group that being oppressed that for sure his life more miserable than us. The first issue is regarding his teacher. As a teacher, he should encourages his students to be what they want to be in the future without care about their races. In this world, we have same opportunity to become a success person. So, how can his teacher, demotivate Malcolm by saying all those things. His action of course disobey the teaching ettiquette and the most important thing is he devalues the dignity of others human being. By this action, I can say that status that someone had does not guarantee he or she should be respect until they showed the value of humanity in themselves first. The teacher should be blame of or becoming the reason of dropoutof Malcolm. Because of his teacher perception towards him, Malcolm started to leave school and this is the starting point where he involved with all the criminals matters. Sometimes, as a human being we should think first before we speak as we do not know whether it can give positive or negative impact towards the
It’s almost as if we can feel his pain and distress as he struggles through his early life as a gambler, hustler, pimp and thief; even more so when he enters the Nation of Islam, etc. However, the text certainly lacks objectivity concerning the ideas Malcolm expresses about society, racism, white people, etc. Due to his experiences with racism and social injustice, he has every reason to hate society, white people, and even America. He and millions of other people of color were seriously wronged in this way for far too long, therefore Malcolm could not possibly speak objectively on these subjects. Yet, it must not be forgotten that what Malcolm believes concerning the aforementioned issues are extremely important, controversial and influential. His opinions and ideas inspire thousands and thousands of colored people to follow in his
In the initial chapters of the novel, Malcolm depicts his life in an extremely shortsighted way. Experiencing childhood in a relatively small, but racist town (Lansing,Michigan) he was accustomed to a troubled life. Racial tension built up hatred within his town folk, often times fearing for his life and the lives of his loved ones. He was, in fact, academically inclined enough to potentially become a man of
The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a book that illustrate the philosophical concepts of Malcolm that promotes the uprise of anybody that is black. An inside look of the the Autobiography, Describes the path Malcolm X had to endure to create a plan to stop oppression of Black people in America and also other races non-white. He understood that power relies in numbers, so for him, it is not logical to limit his battle for justice to black individuals while there are millions of people that stand to gain from struggling in the battle of racial oppression. He also understood to end racial oppression in the world he must elevate the minds of his race first.
Malcolm X is an important figure in human history because he was a human rights activist and fought for equality among people. He was a proficient public speaker who spoke for minorities, mostly African Americans. By reading Malcolm X’s story, I visualize on how a man suffered from the effects of prejudice and his whole disposition was formed from it. I see how a very angry man stayed angry at the "white devils" f...
This paper is written to give my personal reflection on a book entitled The Autobiography of Malcolm X. It is one of the assignments for EDC3360 Course, Social Work for Community Service. We were asked to read this book because the content of this book has relation with the course we are taken for the current semester.
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.
Malcolm X's multiple points of view, organization, and diction in his powerful and passionate overview of his life give the reader a more diverse reading and learning experience that they can easily understand.
The author is clear with the content and has no fear of telling the truth just as Malcolm X expressed himself. Malcolm 's character is strong and full of expression good and bad, Malcolm uses every inch of his time to become the exact person he wishes to be and strives to have the knowledge of whatever may be unknown. Malcolm had a love for his heritage history and what is also expressed is that African Americans are not always seen as the problem. There are many points in the book where it speaks of a white man being the “devil” which is a strong word used for the people who are generally always saying that African Americans are the problem and the ones to blame. The authors purpose is to educate the readers is many different ways and does it through every chapter in various amounts of writing, which describes the beauty and content incredibly
Throughout each stage of his existence there are a multitude of symbols that are made evident. Haley shows how status played a major role in developing Malcolm’s self-worth. The author explains how a “conk” hairstyle tied him to the white world and showed him his own internalized racism. The writer also demonstrates how eyeglasses, a watch, and suitcases played a major role in his final transformation to the great leader that he made himself into. All of these symbols work together through the captivating tale of his life, and illustrates the many things that helped to shape him as a man. All things considered, Haley reveals just how critical symbols are in not only Malcolm X’s lives, but in everyone’s lives. Ultimately challenging his readers to look at their own lives in an attempt to discover what their personal symbols are. Malcolm X’s life had many challenges and setbacks, nevertheless, he discovered who he wanted to be and rose to the challenge, proving himself an important and influential
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...