Book Review of the Autobiography of Malcolm X Essay Example

she didn't recognize him at all. This made him decide never to go back.

At the age of thirteen, Malcom decided to try his luck in boxing, inspired by his talented older brother, Philbert. However, his hopes were shattered when he faced off against Bill Peterson, a white opponent, and suffered a resounding defeat. This setback served as a humbling experience for Malcolm, pushing him to train diligently in preparation for a rematch. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as he was knocked out with the very first punch in their second encounter.

Malcolm's fighting spirit transcended beyond the boxing ring and spilled into his academic life. His rebellious streak led to him playing a prank on a bothersome teacher, ultimately resulting in his expulsion from school. Consequently, he found himself standing before a judge who ruled that he must enroll in a reform school as punishment for his actions.

Malcolm was sent to a detention home in Mason, Michigan, serving as a temporary stop before reform school. He found the people there, who were all white, to be good individuals and developed a liking towards them. However, he was taken aback by their casual use of the derogatory term "nigger" in his presence, as if assuming it was a term black people preferred. In the detention home, Malcolm experienced having his own room for the first time and shared meals with white individuals, reminiscent of the occasions when he attended Seventh Day Adventist meetings in his youth.

Malcolm’s departure date for reform school was delayed multiple times. However, he appreciated the postponement, which he credited to Mrs. Swerlin. Eventually, she informed Malcolm that he would

be attending Mason Junior High School. While there, he joined the debate and basketball teams and was elected class president. Additionally, Mrs. Swerlin assisted Malcolm in securing a dishwasher job at a local restaurant. In the summer of 1940, Malcolm visited his half-sister Ella in Roxbury, Boston's predominantly black neighborhood. This visit provided Malcolm with an unfamiliar perspective on the lives of black individuals.

After coming back home, he began to feel uneasy in the presence of white individuals. Once the school year ended, he moved to Boston and resided with his sister, Ella. In Roxbury, he swiftly developed a friendship with an individual called Shorty. Through Shorty's introduction, Malcolm met Freddie, who helped him acquire a job as a shoe shine boy at Roseland State ballroom. After leaving his position at Roseland, Ella arranged for Malcolm to work as a soda fountain clerk at a drug store. It was during this period that he encountered Laura, a young woman characterized by kindness, introversion, and exceptional studiousness. She had been raised by her strict grandmother.

Malcolm discovered that Laura had a passion for dancing, so he decided to bring her to the Roseland ballroom. Subsequently, they returned to Roseland for their subsequent date. Following a competition, Malcolm encountered Sophia, a white girl. The sight of a non-prostitute white girl in the ballroom fascinated him. After taking Laura home, Malcolm returned to the ballroom, where Sophia awaited him. Malcolm and Sophia sustained their relationship for five years while Malcolm held various jobs. In an effort to distance him from Sophia, Ella secured him a position on the railroad.

While Malcolm was in New York, he visited Harlem and was

captivated by the music, clubs, and ballroom. The size and condition of Roseland paled in comparison. Losing his job on the railroad, he eventually found employment at Small's Paradise, a Harlem night club. Working there allowed him to learn not only from the staff but also from the patrons. Malcolm eagerly absorbed all the conversations, soaking up knowledge like a sponge. It was during his time at Small's Paradise that he acquired knowledge on various illegal activities such as gambling, pimping, drug dealing, theft, and con games. He also developed the skill to identify undercover police officers.

Malcolm was dismissed from Small's Paradise in 1943 after he arranged for a prostitute to meet a black soldier, who turned out to be a spy. This incident led him to form connections with notorious gangsters and he started selling marijuana under the guidance of "Black" Sammy. The police took notice of Malcolm's activities, closely monitoring his actions. While his reputation grew, gaining him respect in the streets, he also succumbed to drug addiction and engaged in robberies. Unfortunately, an argument severed the friendship between Sammy and Malcolm.

Following this, Malcolm began running numbers for another gangster named Archie and working in a brothel. In 1945, Malcolm informed Archie that he had won in a combination number. Archie personally paid him $300. However, after verifying the winning numbers, Archie discovered that Malcolm had deceived him. When Archie confronted Malcolm, he gave him until noon the following day to return all the money. Fearing not only West Indian Archie's pursuit but also other gangsters and another hustler, Malcolm went into hiding. Sammy contacted Shorty from Boston to retrieve Malcolm and his

belongings.

After returning to Boston, Malcolm reunited with Sophia and introduced her seventeen-year-old younger sister to Shorty. Alongside a person named Rudy who had fair skin, the four of them started breaking into houses. At one point, Malcolm got caught when he picked up a stolen watch that he had taken for repair. He accused Shorty and the two girls of being involved in the crime, resulting in a joint trial for all four of them. Throughout the court proceedings, Malcolm believed that they were not only being prosecuted for their actions but also because they associated with white girls. Eventually, both Malcolm and Shorty were given ten-year prison sentences while the girls received imprisonment terms varying from one to five years.

The first person Malcolm encountered in prison was Bimbi, his fellow inmate. Bimbi, an educated black man, convinced him to relearn reading and writing. Malcolm started corresponding with his family through letters. Among them, he received a letter from his brother Philbert, informing him about his recent membership in the Nation of Islam (NoI). Additionally, Malcolm received a letter from his other brother Reginald, advising him to abstain from pork and cigarettes and offering assistance in escaping prison. The idea of getting out of prison became ingrained in Malcolm's mind, leading him to cease those habits. Despite his strong disdain for religion and belief in God at the time, the letters from his brothers fueled his curiosity for faith. Malcolm embraced the Nation of Islam and underwent a profound transformation. He commenced daily correspondence with Elijah Muhammad, who warmly welcomed him and enclosed five dollars. In these letters, Elijah Muhammad expounded on various facets of

his teachings.

Malcolm connected with people from his past and shared the knowledge he acquired from the Nation of Islam. He also corresponded with significant individuals such as the mayor of Boston, the governor of Massachusetts, and President Truman. Regrettably, Malcolm did not receive any responses to his letters. After getting involved with the Nation of Islam, Malcolm dedicated himself to gaining a deeper understanding of slavery and the hardships faced by Black people in North America. While he was in prison, he fully immersed himself in reading books at the library. In 1952, the Massachusetts State Parole Board granted him parole on the condition that he would be under the care of his older brother Wilfred in Detroit.

During his time in Detroit, Malcolm displayed a strong commitment to the Nation of Islam by attending all meetings and actively recruiting new members. In 1953, Elijah Muhammad gave him the name "X" to replace his previous name, Little, which served as a reminder of his enslaved past. As he progressed on his journey, Malcolm became a minister at the Detroit temple and later established temples in Boston and Philadelphia. Ultimately settling in Harlem, he reconnected with individuals from his earlier years where he heard news of Sammy's death and Archie's approaching demise. Moreover, it was in Harlem that he encountered Betty X.

She was a nursing student and a member of the Nation of Islam. Despite his initial reservations about women, they courted and married in 1958 with the approval of Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm became the national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, which experienced significant growth during his tenure. In 1958, Malcolm founded the widely circulated newspaper

"Muhammad Speaks". He frequently spoke at various events and made numerous television appearances, greatly promoting the Muslim community. However, his growing popularity also sparked jealousy within the Nation of Islam.

In 1963, it was discovered by Malcolm that Elijah Muhammad had children outside of his marriage, which confirmed previous rumors. Additionally, Malcolm learned that Muhammad both praised and belittled him in different situations. These revelations caused Malcolm to question his beliefs. In December 1963, following President Kennedy's assassination, Malcolm was asked for his opinion on the matter. He famously responded that he saw it as a consequence of one's actions catching up with them, stating that the "chickens [were] coming home to roost." As a result of this statement, Elijah Muhammad silenced Malcolm for 90 days. Then in 1964, Malcolm announced the creation of his new organization called Muslim Mosque Inc.

He then embarked on his pilgrimage, known as Hajj, to Mecca with the help of his sister Ella's financial support. During his journey, he came across Muslims from diverse racial backgrounds, an experience that greatly impacted his perspective on race. Hajj offered a contrasting environment to American society. Malcolm corresponded with friends and family, expressing his belief in the potential reconciliation of races if everyone embraced the spirituality of Islam. He grasped that racial issues stem from attitudes rather than skin color. At the Hajj, he was bestowed with his new Islamic name, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz. The brotherhood exhibited among all races during the pilgrimage deeply impressed him, as it stood in stark contrast to what he had witnessed in America.

Malcolm traveled through West Africa and received a warm reception. He aimed to foster

unity among black individuals in both Africa and America. Upon his return, Malcolm embraced the concept of Pan-Africanism, asserting that all black individuals are equal regardless of their location. He perceived the civil rights struggle in America as a global matter and sought justice for black people in America by presenting it to the United Nations. Subsequently, upon returning home, a white man approached Malcolm and asked him, "Would you be bothered by shaking hands with a white man?" To this, Malcolm replied, "I have no issue with shaking hands with a human being."

Malcolm's perspective on being asked if he was alone would have been different had he been asked later in his life, after he had gained insight from his experience with the Nation of Islam. This epiphany occurred in February 1965 when Malcolm's home was attacked and set on fire, reinforcing his belief in the imminent danger he faced. After the incident, a journalist approached him seeking to ascertain the responsible party, to which Malcolm identified Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Tragically, a week later on February 21st, Malcolm was killed by three gunmen at the Audubon Ballroom in New York. These assailants were subsequently linked to the Muslim community.

Malcolm X is widely misunderstood in many circles during the Civil Right's Era, being often remembered as an agitator in contrast to other notable freedom fighters. However, his transformation after returning from Mecca solidifies his undeniable place in history. Even today, Malcolm's struggle remains influential and resonates strongly in America. The Autobiography of Malcolm X sheds light on the racial tensions that prevailed during this period, which experienced significant social, political, and

economic changes.

Malcolm served as a representation of the evolving thoughts and beliefs of African Americans during this era. Alex Haley aimed to introduce Malcolm, a highly controversial figure, to a wide audience who may have been hesitant to explore his story. Through providing Malcolm the opportunity to express himself in his own words, Haley allowed readers to comprehend his journey. The Autobiography of Malcolm X proved to be an exceptional literary work, detailing Malcolm's hardships and personal growth. This book deserves recommendation to anyone who hasn't yet delved into its pages. Once read, it will undoubtedly alter one's perspective on multiple matters.