Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The Autobiography of Malcolm X

What I am trying to say is that it just never dawned upon them that I could understand, that I wasn’t a pet, but a human being. They didn’t give me credit for having the same sensitivity, intellect, and understanding that they would have been ready and willing to recognize in a white boy in my position. But it has historically been the case with white people, in their regard for black people, that even though we might be with them, we weren’t considered of them. Even though they appeared to have opened the door, it was still closed. Thus they never did really see me.

This book was. Dense. And a lot. But it did what it was supposed to do. Give an insight on the mind of Malcom X. Honestly, he’s pretty cool, when he’s not talking about women, or jewish people (dear god was that man antisemitic).

I also really loved how the book helped to give insight on the ideals of race and civil rights at the time. Seeing how multiple civil rights movements worked together and also how they disagreed.

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melaniekarin's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

really insightful, eye opening firsthand account that still… sadly… seems so prescient

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michaelion's review

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challenging dark funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

Aside from the early 1900s slang, I would consider this a contemporary autobiography. Everything said in this book 57 years ago could have been said by someone yesterday. You don't have to look real hard to see things really have not changed.

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