Autobiography of Malcolm X Book Review
Book Review – The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a written collaboration between Malcolm X and author Alex Haley. It is the story of Malcolm X’s life from his perspective, describing life events and realizations from childhood, through multiple phases of reinvention and enlightenment, and concluding with the chapter 1965, which was the same year as his death. This final chapter establishes Malcolm X’s general outlook on his life, where he discusses his understanding of race relations in the US, his role in the Civil rights movement, and the social impact he wishes to have. He also anticipates his untimely death, and reflects on how his perceived demagogue role in society should eventually shed light on, expose, and then destroy the racism that is so deeply intertwined in the fabric of American society. Throughout the book, the authors establish a framework of the society and circumstances that Malcolm X developed within. It attempts to paint a picture of Malcolm X as a product of his surroundings, and follows his life’s timeline while narrating his changing understanding of the world around him as it developed. The book argues for an empathetic understanding of the black condition in America, and advocates for a critical look at the power structures that exist that serve to oppress Black Americans.
The Autobiography chronicles the events that shaped Malcolm throughout his life. Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. He was the son of political activists that were devoted advocates of Marcus Garvey and his ideas of black racial purity, Black Nationalism, and the Back-To-Africa movement. Retaliation from the white community against his parents’ political activism eventually led to his father’s likely murder and his mother’s institutionalization due to mental illness. He and his siblings were placed in foster care and in the 8th grade, Little left school, relocating to Boston to live with his sister, Ella
The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a written collaboration between Malcolm X and author Alex Haley. It is the story of Malcolm X’s life from his perspective, describing life events and realizations from childhood, through multiple phases of reinvention and enlightenment, and concluding with the chapter 1965, which was the same year as his death. This final chapter establishes Malcolm X’s general outlook on his life, where he discusses his understanding of race relations in the US, his role in the Civil rights movement, and the social impact he wishes to have. He also anticipates his untimely death, and reflects on how his perceived demagogue role in society should eventually shed light on, expose, and then destroy the racism that is so deeply intertwined in the fabric of American society. Throughout the book, the authors establish a framework of the society and circumstances that Malcolm X developed within. It attempts to paint a picture of Malcolm X as a product of his surroundings, and follows his life’s timeline while narrating his changing understanding of the world around him as it developed. The book argues for an empathetic understanding of the black condition in America, and advocates for a critical look at the power structures that exist that serve to oppress Black Americans.
The Autobiography chronicles the events that shaped Malcolm throughout his life. Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. He was the son of political activists that were devoted advocates of Marcus Garvey and his ideas of black racial purity, Black Nationalism, and the Back-To-Africa movement. Retaliation from the white community against his parents’ political activism eventually led to his father’s likely murder and his mother’s institutionalization due to mental illness. He and his siblings were placed in foster care and in the 8th grade, Little left school, relocating to Boston to live with his sister, Ella
Cited: Dennis, A. (2008). Spike lee. (p. 14). New York, NY: Chelsea House. Stone, A. (1982). Autobiographical occasions and original acts. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press. Wood, J. (1992). Malcolm x: In our own image. New York, NY: St Martins Press. X, M., & Haley, A. (1965). The autobiography of malcolm x. Guernsey: Penguin Books Ltd.