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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
This is a remarkable story. Going into the book, I only knew the broad strokes of Malcolm’s life: converting to Islam in prison, becoming a student of life, and then speaking for the Nation of Islam before his murder in the 1960s. This autobiography fills in all the details, and helps the reader understand that journey, and the reason behind his challenging rhetoric during the Civil Rights era.
“I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda.… I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”
What little I learned of Malcolm X in my formal education now feels reductive and insufficient. This book was written so frankly, so clearly, that it’s nearly impossible not to agree with Malcolm X’s worldview. It’s a damn shame that our nation still has much, much farther to go before we reach a point of equity; a lot of vocabulary and ideology I personally have encountered for the first time in the last few years after George Floyd’s murder have their roots decades ago in this autobiography.
What little I learned of Malcolm X in my formal education now feels reductive and insufficient. This book was written so frankly, so clearly, that it’s nearly impossible not to agree with Malcolm X’s worldview. It’s a damn shame that our nation still has much, much farther to go before we reach a point of equity; a lot of vocabulary and ideology I personally have encountered for the first time in the last few years after George Floyd’s murder have their roots decades ago in this autobiography.
What a brilliant man you were Malcolm, and oh, how we miss you.
“And we will answer and say unto them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves….And we will know him then for what he was and is—a Prince—our own black shining Prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.”
“And we will answer and say unto them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves….And we will know him then for what he was and is—a Prince—our own black shining Prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.”
I will be in awe of the life of Malcolm X for the rest of my life.
How can you put a star rating on a person’s life? In some cases it can be easier than others. In the case of Malcolm X I am left unable to consider even putting a number to his life.
Although I tried not too, I kept comparing the experience of reading Malcolm X’s autobiography to MLK’s autobiography. Two men who had the same goal, but two very different methods of achieving it.
A part of me will forever wonder, if Malcom had lived longer, would his preaching have continued to change and grow? Would he have been able to overcome his past of shouting to the world that all whites are the devil, and instead that there is good (in bad) in all peoples, in all skin colors?
Although this book did not go as in depth into Malcolm’s logic and beliefs in regards to race, it showed us his life. A life marked with change and overcoming hurdles no person should face. To be able to learn Malcolm’s life’s journey was an impactful experience. Now that I know the man better, I can perhaps understand his thoughts better. And with that knowledge, I can grapple better with the racism still present in America in the year 2020.
Although I tried not too, I kept comparing the experience of reading Malcolm X’s autobiography to MLK’s autobiography. Two men who had the same goal, but two very different methods of achieving it.
A part of me will forever wonder, if Malcom had lived longer, would his preaching have continued to change and grow? Would he have been able to overcome his past of shouting to the world that all whites are the devil, and instead that there is good (in bad) in all peoples, in all skin colors?
Although this book did not go as in depth into Malcolm’s logic and beliefs in regards to race, it showed us his life. A life marked with change and overcoming hurdles no person should face. To be able to learn Malcolm’s life’s journey was an impactful experience. Now that I know the man better, I can perhaps understand his thoughts better. And with that knowledge, I can grapple better with the racism still present in America in the year 2020.
Going into this book, I knew of Malcom X. I knew he was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Era but I didn't know much about him or his upbringing or how he became who he was. This book was incredibly enlightening. I was blown away by his family story. His father's tragic death, his mother forcibly committed to a psychiatric hospital, it's no wonder Malcom chose the life he did initially. One my biggest takeaways was how much time he spent reading. "I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity. Because you can hardly mention anything I'm not curious about." His time in prison let him find religion and education through reading. Honestly, I was in awe of his story.
The biggest point of reading this book, for me, was to learn more about Malcom X, which I did. What I did not expect was to feel like I was reading a book wrote yesterday. Many of the points and problem he identified are still applicable today. It's a sad relevancy on how America and the world has changed so little since Malcom X's death. Highly recommend the audio version read by Laurence Fishburne; I don't recommended listening to it in 2 sittings as I did as I think it took away some of the magic. 4.25 stars, audio.
The biggest point of reading this book, for me, was to learn more about Malcom X, which I did. What I did not expect was to feel like I was reading a book wrote yesterday. Many of the points and problem he identified are still applicable today. It's a sad relevancy on how America and the world has changed so little since Malcom X's death. Highly recommend the audio version read by Laurence Fishburne; I don't recommended listening to it in 2 sittings as I did as I think it took away some of the magic. 4.25 stars, audio.
This isn't an easy read, both due to the length and the subject matter, but it was fascinating. I think that Malcolm X's story is vital one to understand the complexities of race in the US, and it frustrates me immensely that it is not told because it doesn't fit neatly into the simplistic narrative that the US feeds its children about race and race relations. Moreover, telling Malcolm X's story would necessitate difficult discussions about how religion is intertwined with culture and politics, and how neither Christians nor Muslims, just by the fact that they're "religious," should not delude themselves into thinking that they are helping to shape society for the better.
Like everyone who spoke after Malcolm X's death said, I didn't agree with everything that Malcolm X said, but there's no doubt in my mind that he was a great man. Malcolm X might not agree with *himself* from one time to the next, not because he was capricious or hypocritical, but because he really did believe that man should awaken his intellect and make his own decisions based on the evidence and knowledge before him. His life, though cut short, was an amazing journey, and one of the things that struck me the most were Malcolm X's ability to transform himself, the people, and the world around him with his doggedness, charisma, and words.
Like everyone who spoke after Malcolm X's death said, I didn't agree with everything that Malcolm X said, but there's no doubt in my mind that he was a great man. Malcolm X might not agree with *himself* from one time to the next, not because he was capricious or hypocritical, but because he really did believe that man should awaken his intellect and make his own decisions based on the evidence and knowledge before him. His life, though cut short, was an amazing journey, and one of the things that struck me the most were Malcolm X's ability to transform himself, the people, and the world around him with his doggedness, charisma, and words.
So glad I read this! All I really knew about Malcolm X before reading it was his name and a vague reputation. Such important history to know!
Malcom X is known as "The Angriest Black Man in America". But as Fatima Bhutto once said, this book helped her in her difficult times. It's a book about anger but also of letting go anger, about fear and what are the dangers of holding onto fear. It is about justice and brotherhood and basically about journey of life through adversity and I couldn't agree any more.
This Autobiography was a deeply personal and eye-opening look into Malcolm's personality and his motivations. He was deeply honest to a fault (And credit should be given to Alex Haley for being objective and sincere in not painting Malcolm in a way that was idolizing), he was a person that was larger than life yet still digestible and easily likeable. No matter what stage he was in his religion, personal education and understanding he was a peoples person who only wanted what would be best for African Americans even if it meant taking on the role of the "villain".
I never understood why Malcolm X was glossed over during the civil rights portion of school until I read this autobiography. He was antagonistic towards his white counterparts during interviews and public speeches and not easily digestible to the white commodification of the American school system (as my dad always says: A hit dog always hollers). My love for this man comes from my Father but intensified because of his very human portrayal - he made mistakes which he owned up too and he never denied anything that he said, even after his views and his understanding changed. he was sincere in his passions and gave whole-heartedly, he was motivated, and he had a known temper. He worked hard to continuously improve and gain knowledge.
I wish I had read this years ago like I planned but better late than never.
I never understood why Malcolm X was glossed over during the civil rights portion of school until I read this autobiography. He was antagonistic towards his white counterparts during interviews and public speeches and not easily digestible to the white commodification of the American school system (as my dad always says: A hit dog always hollers). My love for this man comes from my Father but intensified because of his very human portrayal - he made mistakes which he owned up too and he never denied anything that he said, even after his views and his understanding changed. he was sincere in his passions and gave whole-heartedly, he was motivated, and he had a known temper. He worked hard to continuously improve and gain knowledge.
I wish I had read this years ago like I planned but better late than never.