The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As
Told to Alex Haley
Wonderful Transformation
Malcolm Xs searing memoir belongs on the small shelf of great
autobiographies. The reasons are many: the blistering honesty with which
he recounts his transformation from a bitter, self-destructive petty criminal
into an articulate political activist, the continued relevance of his militant
analysis of white racism, and his emphasis on self-respect and self-help for
African Americans. And theres the vividness with which he depicts black
popular culture--try as he might to criticize those lindy hops at Bostons
Roseland dance hall from the perspective of his Muslim faith, he cant help
but make them sound pretty wonderful. These are but a few examples.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X limns an archetypal journey from
ignorance and despair to knowledge and spiritual awakening. When
Malcolm tells coauthor Alex Haley, People dont realize how a mans whole
life can be changed by one book, he voices the central belief underpinning
every attempt to set down a personal story as an example for others.
Although many believe his ethic was directly opposed to Martin Luther
King Jr.s during the civil rights struggle of the 60s, the two were not so
different. Malcolm may have displayed a most un-Christian distaste for
loving his enemies, but he understood with King that love of God and lo ve
of self are the necessary first steps on the road to freedom. --Wendy Smith
Features:
Before reading this book, I thought Malcolm X was a black boxer. I don't
know why, but the few times I've heard people mention him, they've always
focused on his anger. So, I naturally assumed that this man, who had such
a strange last name, would be a fighter. How wrong was I.
Malcolm X was a fighter, but not in the physical sense. Sure, he supported
his beliefs with a fervor that was almost violent, but he fought his way
through his difficult life with words. He trained himself to make a point,
regardless of what other people, black, white, red, yellow, would think of
him. He so believed in his passion for basic Afro-American human rights
that he was ready to die for his beliefs. As a Muslim, he also firmly
believed in Allah, who he claimed changed his life. More importantly, as a
Muslim, he experienced the oneness of humanity as he traveled
internationally.
Overall, this book appealed to me because even though Malcolm was a
devout Muslim and a civil rights leader with firm views, he was sincere in
his concern for humanity. He even admitted, that he's "a human, being first
and foremost" and that he's for "whatever benefits humanity as a whole."
To me, Malcolm's extraordinary accomplishments were just a shadow of
what can be done if mankind put concerns of humanity before itself.
Picture a world where everyone worked toward a common goal. Imagine
all the wars that would end!!
I recommend this book to people of all races and color so that they can be
inspired by Malcolm's radical belief in humanity. His message transcends
time and all racial boundaries.
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