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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Really interesting read. You don’t have to agree with everything Malcolm X said, but personally I feel it’s important to hear his view of things. Loved the book, I’m fascinated by Malcolm X himself- I feel like my school shied away from him, and they shouldn’t have. Led kids think for themselves, make them at least aware of this book, and frame Malcolm properly in history. Anyways, couldn’t recommend this book enough!
Earnestly told, and an interesting perspective. A story worth hearing, and interesting to consider points I agree with told in a very different voice. Perhaps the most interesting thing to consider is how his viewing everything primarily through racial lenses both gave him unique insight and also made him consistently overstate his points.
informative
inspiring
reflective
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
This book should be mandatory for everybody in the United States to read, especially if they are white. This will probably be one of the most profound books I ever read in my lifetime.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Good story, spot on about some predictions, dead wrong about others. Rly weird to read in the current political climate. Lots of moments where historical context becomes a sort of dramatic irony. Didn’t know he was THAT sexist
Grain of salt because I think I was looking for an analysis of Malcom X’s work, not his own interpretation of his accomplishments and an evangelical ode to Islam. I found the political statements in the book very powerful and am going to seek out an analysis of his beliefs.
The first half of the book was super interesting and dove into a unique and personal perspective of the early 20th century. I loved the descriptions of dancing, the fashion, his family. The conversations about what it means to be supported by a white community (for example, fostered by a white family) as a black man were very interesting. I agree with a lot of his ideology as he lays it out in the second half of the book, though not as it is entwined with Islam.
I don’t invite a conversation on Goodreads about this, because I fear it may get nasty, but … as a Jewish woman, there were a few moments where I almost stopped reading. The number of times he says “people are going to call me antisemitic for this, but I’m just telling the truth when I say Jews are XYZ [insert offensive stereotype]” leads me to believe that, in fact, he knew what he was saying was antisemitic and said it anyway. He also seems to really disparage women and think we are all weak beings who must have children and cook. Betty Shabbazz has done muuuch more than that in her life.
Ultimately, I was not looking for a religious hagiography, but that’s what I got. It was never advertised as a reliable narration or an analysis of the Long Freedom Struggle or militant politics, so I think it is partially the fault of my erroneous expectations.
———
"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." - Malcolm X
The first half of the book was super interesting and dove into a unique and personal perspective of the early 20th century. I loved the descriptions of dancing, the fashion, his family. The conversations about what it means to be supported by a white community (for example, fostered by a white family) as a black man were very interesting. I agree with a lot of his ideology as he lays it out in the second half of the book, though not as it is entwined with Islam.
I don’t invite a conversation on Goodreads about this, because I fear it may get nasty, but … as a Jewish woman, there were a few moments where I almost stopped reading. The number of times he says “people are going to call me antisemitic for this, but I’m just telling the truth when I say Jews are XYZ [insert offensive stereotype]” leads me to believe that, in fact, he knew what he was saying was antisemitic and said it anyway. He also seems to really disparage women and think we are all weak beings who must have children and cook. Betty Shabbazz has done muuuch more than that in her life.
Ultimately, I was not looking for a religious hagiography, but that’s what I got. It was never advertised as a reliable narration or an analysis of the Long Freedom Struggle or militant politics, so I think it is partially the fault of my erroneous expectations.
———
"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." - Malcolm X