"Autobiography Of Malcolm X" Book Review

970 Words4 Pages
Whether in the classroom or in the media, my generation has become fairly well acquainted to the nonviolent protests of the Civil Rights Movement especially those led by prominent activist Martin Luther King Jr. These nonviolent protests were, however, only one strategy employed in the struggle for equality for African Americans. The Autobiography of Malcolm X gives a firsthand account of a different strategy used in the struggle for black freedom in America. Malcolm X’s autobiography takes us through his life from his childhood during the Great Depression to his the year of his assassination in 1965. Early on, Malcolm X was aware of racism. As a young child, he recalled his house being burned down and his father being murdered by a white supremacy group called the Black Legion. As a teenager and young adult he witnessed and lived the impoverished hustler life on the streets of Harlem. While in jail, he was introduced to Elijah Muhammad’s church, the Nation of Islam, which preached for the advancement of black men and the evil of white supremacy. Upon release, Malcolm X rapidly gained prominence in the Nation of Islam and traveled the United States, founding new mosques in many cities. During his travels, he became acquainted with public speaking while trying to gain converts, and advocated for a black uprising. Unintentionally gaining more attention than the founder himself, Malcolm gained the position of National Minister, only to have a falling out with the Nation of Islam after a scandal and disagreement on how to best draw in black support. After the falling out, he founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., an organization that calls on all African-Americans, regardless of religion, to help take a stand against white racism. In his autobiography, Malcolm X continued his controversial, yet honest arguments. One topic he grappled with was integration. He believed
Open Document