Malcom X College Essay Example

and pencils from the Norfolk Prison Colony school. Over the course of two days, I aimlessly flipped through the dictionary's pages, feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of unfamiliar words. Unsure which words to prioritize, I decided to start by copying the entire first page onto my tablet. It was a painstaking process as I meticulously reproduced every detail, including punctuation marks. This task occupied an entire day of my time.

Afterwards, I read aloud everything I had written on the tablet. I repeated my own handwriting multiple times. The next morning, those words still occupied my mind. It made me happy to discover that not only did I write a lot in one sitting, but I also encountered new words. Additionally, with some effort, I could remember the meanings of many of these words. I went back to the words whose definitions eluded me before. Interestingly, now the term "aardvark" from the first page of the dictionary comes to my thoughts.

The dictionary contained an image of an African mammal with a lengthy tail and ears that burrows and survives by consuming termites using its tongue, similar to how an anteater eats ants. I was captivated by this and proceeded to replicate the following page of the dictionary. This process repeated itself as I continued studying. As I flipped through each page, I not only discovered information about people, places, and historical events but also realized that the dictionary resembled a condensed encyclopedia. Eventually, after filling an entire tablet with content from the A section, I moved on to copying entries from the B section. This is how my endeavor of copying the

entire dictionary began.

By practicing extensively, my handwriting speed significantly improved. I wrote a lot on my tablet and in letters while I was in prison, totaling around a million words. As my vocabulary grew, I finally gained the skill to read and understand books. The extensive reading introduced me to an entirely new world. Reading became a habit for me, whether it was in the library or on my bunk.

I was so devoted to books that nothing could have distracted me from them. Under the guidance of Mr. Muhammad, my written exchanges, frequent visits from Ella and Reginald, and my enthusiastic reading, I spent months in prison without even acknowledging my confinement. In reality, this was the most liberated I had ever felt in my whole existence. It was an extraordinary encounter within this rehabilitation-oriented correctional facility where inmates who displayed a fervent interest in books were highly respected. There were numerous well-informed prisoners, specifically the popular debaters, who were esteemed as walking encyclopedias.

They were nearly famous. No university would require any student to consume literature to the extent that I did when I discovered this new world of being able to read and comprehend. I spent more time reading in my room than in the actual library. A fellow inmate who had a reputation for reading a lot could borrow more books than the maximum allowed amount. I chose to read in the complete seclusion of my own room. Once I had advanced to more challenging readings, every night around ten P.M., I would be infuriated with the sudden "lights out." It always seemed to interrupt me right

in the middle of something captivating.

Luckily, there was a corridor light near my door that illuminated my room. After getting used to the soft glow, I could read using its light. When it was time for "lights out," I would sit on the floor in the illuminated area and continue reading. Every hour, the night guards would walk by each room. Whenever I heard their footsteps nearing, I quickly climbed into bed and pretended to be asleep. Once the guard had passed, I would get out of bed and resume reading in the softly lit area for another fifty-eight minutes before anticipating the guard's return.

Despite working until the early hours of the morning, getting only a few hours of sleep each night was sufficient for me. Even during my time without a home, I often slept even less. The impact that reading has had on my life is always on my mind. It became evident to me while incarcerated that reading had permanently altered the course of my life. Reflecting back, I now comprehend that reading ignited within me a strong yearning for intellectual engagement. The pursuit of a degree purely for the sake of obtaining societal recognition, as is commonly pursued in college, did not hold any appeal for me.

Through self-teaching, I have become increasingly aware of the challenges faced by the black community in America. As I delve into books, I gain a deeper understanding of their struggles against discrimination, ignorance, and limited opportunities. Recently, an English writer asked about my educational background. In response, my answer was simply that it was all thanks to books. My

dedication lies in continuously studying subjects that can bring positive change for black individuals. Whenever I have free time, it is devoted to learning. Wherever I go, a book is always by my side as a constant companion - resulting in me carrying quite a substantial number of books these days.

If it wasn't for my constant struggle against the white man, I would dedicate my life to reading and satisfying my insatiable curiosity. There is hardly anything that doesn't capture my interest. Being in prison gave me more opportunities for study than going to college would have. In my view, one of the main disadvantages of colleges is the presence of distractions like panty-raiding, fraternities, and various festivities.

While in prison, I had the opportunity to devote up to fifteen hours daily for intense study. Malcolm X describes a genuine feeling of freedom he experienced while being incarcerated after becoming proficient in reading and writing. This contradiction prompts us to contemplate the connection between literacy and freedom.

Malcolm X highlights the importance of reading as a valuable avenue for education, while recognizing that a college education extends beyond just reading. In this analysis, I will examine the role that reading has played in my own education so far, taking into account the variety of texts I have encountered – both assigned readings and personal choices. Furthermore, I will consider other academic activities such as attending lectures, taking exams, participating in discussions, writing essays, and creating blogs. The main question is how reading measures up to these alternative forms of work in terms of significance.