Malcolm X's Autobiography

Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is the autobiography of Malcolm’s impeccable life as someone who affected the history of America and the black population within America. Through this book you can see the life of many black men during this time. This story is written as a narrative clearly stating the viewpoint of Malcolm X’s life. This story although filled with facts of the time period which Malcolm lived his life it must be remembered that it is from the perspective of a man who was highly discriminated. He even says so himself that the hypocritical northern Americans are who shaped him to be the man he was. Often time’s people look at the situation in which Malcolm X was in and do not understand how the white man could act so cruelly, however, in this time it was simply natural behavior. Malcolm X was raised in Lansing. His father was a supporter of Garveyism until he was brutally murdered leading to his mother being declared as insane. He and his siblings were separated to different homes where he was treated as a pet or a mascot. He then went to move with his sister Ella in what would have been considered a nice place for colored people to live. However, he did not feel like he quite fit in so he went to the
outskirts of the city which appears like his first big step into the world of liquor, drugs, music, and much more. He got a couple of jobs on the railroad which eventually landed him into Harlem. When he found himself in Harlem he felt as though this was a place he could feel satisfied in. He bounced around from a few different jobs, some legal and others not. He then got his brother to meet him in Harlem and live with him for a while. Eventually Malcolm moved away from Harlem after being hunted for his crimes. However, in moving to a new city and finding himself a new hustle he got caught and landed himself in jail. When he was in jail some of his siblings were converted to Islam. They then were trying to convince Malcolm to convert as well and eventually he did. When he first gained this faith he immediately got a great connection with Elijah Muhammad through written letters. While in prison Malcolm decided to enhance his knowledge through reading all the books in the prisons library as well as through writing letters to family. When Malcolm was released from prison he found himself fully devoted to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. He was taught by Elijah Muhammad and eventually he himself began teaching for and in the name of Elijah. Within his early stages of teaching the beliefs of Islam he got married to his wife Betty. He became popular amongst the Muslims for preaching about the white devil. He began to get publicity asking him on his beliefs on all matters and how they related to the Negroes and Islam. He spoke to many people spreading his beliefs. Eventually much of the nation of Islam turned against him but he still went on acting and speaking on behalf of what he believed in. After Prison, Malcolm X fully dedicated his life to sharing what he found to be truth.
He believed that the white man was the devil and that these black men and woman should be proud to be black. He also believed that these black people should want to be separate from the white man who has constantly put him down. His whole life conditioned him to hate the white man, and when he was in prison he was faced with the realization that all of his troubles occurred because of the white man putting him down. Many people during this time weren’t able to go after their dreams because black men and woman were simply looked at as a lesser breed of human. Malcolm’s beliefs then get switched so that he sees himself as better and the white man
lesser. Malcolm’s point was proved over and over again throughout this book that the white man was the problem with humanity in its totality but more than anything for the black Americans. This book showed that through Malcolm’s life and fellow black man’s lives the white man also looked for ways to take away the potential that the black man might have had. In this book I believe he brings up many valid points that the white man did have many flaws in their way of thinking and dealing with black humans. This point that white men are superior has definitely been crushed after hearing Malcolm’s ideas and views on it. For Malcolm he did not enjoy talking or being involved with the white man. He wanted to be separate and independent from the white man. However, he felt that it was right to share his life story with Alex Haley. This book records history from the view point of the man who made history. It is crucial to today’s society to understand and examine the lives of the men who changed America in one way or another. Malcolm must have seen the need to share his experience with those outside of his direct touch so that they may understand his life and many black men and woman in similar positions. Malcolm eventually became aware of the potential Islam contained for both the white and the black man of America. When he made his trip to Mecca his eyes were opened to the truth that not all white men were evil and that it was simply in the breeding of Americans that made race an issue. This trip allowed Malcolm to want to fight for something much bigger than just civil and human rights among the black man; he wanted to fight for equality in the mind of all American citizens through the power of Allah. He wanted to stop believing in race and start believing in humans. He wanted all to be under one equal scale. However, for Malcolm in this time it was easier said than done. Too many white men were so corrupted by their ancestors that it was practically impossible for white men and black men to work together in a manner that wouldn’t put the black man in a position of lower importance. If Malcolm was not so invested and dedicated to Islam and separation the world as we know it today may not be where it is. Today, although racism is still an issue in America it is not at the point where it was during Malcolm’s time. Malcolm was such a great leader in this time among the blacks, allowing them to see the reality of their situation. Throughout time since Malcolm’s life this idea that black men are not below the white man has become increasingly more aware and accepted. The Civil Rights movement was so important because it truly implemented everything that Malcolm x was fighting for. The Civil Rights Movement was not necessarily well accepted among the white man at this time but slowly became possible with hard work. Although Racism is still present in today’s society if the civil rights movement had not been implemented by men like Malcolm X, racism would still be in the detrimental place it once was in because the Civil Rights Movement although helpful did not end all racism in America, but was simply a step to making racism less of a problem.