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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
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
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
this is one of the best books I’ve ever read
malcolm was a visionary and was speaking truths no one was ready to hear
described the language of white supremacy and Christian nationalism long before it was in the zeitgeist
ofc my white upper middle class Christian mother doesn’t approve of the teachings of a poor black Muslim man who served time for drug crimes
like ofc we revere martin
you read his life story, you can’t help but think “of course he hates white people” - dad killed by KKK, mom pressured by welfare agents and eventually labeled crazy, all 11 kids separated by malcolm age 12, hustling by 16, and incarcerated by 18
life events + discourse around systemic oppression and anti-racism vs assimilation
the drama with the Nation of Islam was crazy and I learned so much about their beliefs and organization, the creation narrative of the white devils being bred out of the black race by Mr. Yacub is crazy lol
also WILDLY sexist, he did not trust or respect women outside his family members
his question of if Christianity can fully atone for its treatment of black folks will sit with me for a long time
fav quote: “Why, when all of my ancestors are snake-bitten, and I’m snake-bitten, and I warn my children to avoid snakes, what does that snake sound like accusing me of hate-teaching?”
malcolm was a visionary and was speaking truths no one was ready to hear
described the language of white supremacy and Christian nationalism long before it was in the zeitgeist
ofc my white upper middle class Christian mother doesn’t approve of the teachings of a poor black Muslim man who served time for drug crimes
like ofc we revere martin
you read his life story, you can’t help but think “of course he hates white people” - dad killed by KKK, mom pressured by welfare agents and eventually labeled crazy, all 11 kids separated by malcolm age 12, hustling by 16, and incarcerated by 18
life events + discourse around systemic oppression and anti-racism vs assimilation
the drama with the Nation of Islam was crazy and I learned so much about their beliefs and organization, the creation narrative of the white devils being bred out of the black race by Mr. Yacub is crazy lol
also WILDLY sexist, he did not trust or respect women outside his family members
his question of if Christianity can fully atone for its treatment of black folks will sit with me for a long time
fav quote: “Why, when all of my ancestors are snake-bitten, and I’m snake-bitten, and I warn my children to avoid snakes, what does that snake sound like accusing me of hate-teaching?”
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Decided to not do ratings anymore, but this is one of if not the best work of non-fiction I’ve ever read.
I think this is an important read for people, especially white people, to understand how and why Malcolm X was needed to draw attention to the struggles of People of Color, and especially Black Americans. Some of the things he talks about experiencing are distressing at best, and despicable at worst. It makes my stomach turn to know about these blatant, frequent - and often casual - instances of racism (back then and now), and how so many Black Americans had been taught to that point to just deal with it (for a variety of reasons that are explained in the book). It’s no surprise then, when Malcolm X embraces the concept of the “white devil,” and awakens to all the horrible things white people have done throughout history to elevate themselves and keep other races down. History often paints him as a radical, and while some of the teachings from his time in the Nation of Islam were radical, this autobiography paints a clear picture of how a normal person living in difficult circumstances rose to be an activist, and advocate, and an incredible orator. It also tells the story of a person who is capable of change and growth as he continues to experience life in new ways.
There are still some elements to this book (particularly about women and Jewish people) that are dated and problematic. It reflects its time in many uncomfortable ways. However, my biggest takeaway is that I leave feeling robbed of the opportunity to see what Malcolm X would have done with more time in his life. His life was an important part of American history that we need to remember and his quest for equity is one we need to continue to honor.
There are still some elements to this book (particularly about women and Jewish people) that are dated and problematic. It reflects its time in many uncomfortable ways. However, my biggest takeaway is that I leave feeling robbed of the opportunity to see what Malcolm X would have done with more time in his life. His life was an important part of American history that we need to remember and his quest for equity is one we need to continue to honor.