THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X
as told to Alex Haley
I will admit I was nervous to start this book, which I added to my reading list at the suggestion of smart people who offered resources to educate and spread anti-racism. In my vague understanding of who Malcolm X was, I pictured him as an angry, violent version of Martin Luther King Jr.
I am not sure I have ever had my eyes opened and my perspective changed in quite such a radical way. I learned that the image I had of Malcolm X as a violent, White-hating Black man, was created by the media and other people trying to discredit him. He worked to raise Black men and women out of poverty and oppression.
It would be inaccurate to say that violence was not a part of his life, because it was. And for a time, his philosophy was clearly against integration. But I discovered so much more about this man’s life and his brain and I was truly enthralled from beginning to end.
Finally, I feel it is important to say that this is not only an interesting book, it is a good read. Malcolm X’s story is unbelievable, yet the narration feels so intimate, it is like one long coffee date. This book speaks volumes to, almost predicts, the current racial crisis. Please read this book, I truly feel changed for the better for having read it. (Lily)
