28 Days of Literary Blackness With VSB Day 8: The Autobiography of Malcolm X (As Told to Alex Haley)

[JHan]

https://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/28-days-of-literary-blackness-with-vsb-day-8-the-aut-1832460544

Including The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a no-brainer. In fact, of all the books that will be featured this month, it was one of the two that inspired the series to begin with, along with Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. I don’t think I’m being hyperbolic referencing the work as one of the most influential books in all of black America. About 95 percent of people I know have read it, and probably closer to 99 percent have seen Spike Lee’s greatest work, Malcolm X, the 1992 movie adaptation of the book starring Denzel Washington as Malcolm.

I know I don’t need to write a ton to compel anybody to read this book since, again, I’m assuming most have. I still have the copy that was purchased for me in 1992 after seeing the movie on my bookshelf. It is a work that means a lot to me as a person and as a black man in this country. Reading about Malcolm’s evolution through reflection, without giving himself a pass, and understanding the principles he stood for and how focused he came about the liberation of black people was inspirational and a call to action. There is a reason why Malcolm, over 60 years since his assassination in Harlem, still looms as large as Martin Luther King Jr. in black America.

Similarly, reading about the actual construction of the book—the back and forth between Alex Haley and Malcolm—is fascinating, and there are tons of books analyzing the autobiography itself and its influence and creation that, while obviously not as interesting as the book itself, provide tremendous background and even contentious accusations about Haley’s influence over the final product that Malcolm wouldn’t have approved.

Again, you know why this book is here and I know why this book is here and it’s probably one of the few that, no matter who reads it and why, we all come away with a similar respect and melancholy knowing that he and Alex Haley didn’t get a chance to finish their discussions. Who knows who Malcolm would have become had he not been murdered? But I know that I’m better off and more rooted in my own blackness for having read and processed his words. My kids will read this book because they have to.

[CountAllVotes]

1. A great book

It should be required reading in high school along with Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver!



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldridge_Cleaver

& recommend!!

[spicysista]

2. 100% Agree! Another excellent choice!

Edited to add....I'm not sure about it being appropriate for high school. Without context or a nuanced approach, some essays may be a bit problematic for many school systems.

[CountAllVotes]

5. I read these books when I was in high school

I've always have a great love for biographies/autobiographies!

[JHan]

4. his introspection after this book is invaluable too imho.

[spicysista]

3. A most excellent choice, JHan!

I adore this series of posts!
You said it best, " My kids will read this book because they have to." It is as simple as that.

[akraven]

6. My kid chose this as a required book report.

She ain't black but the book sure changed her mind about many things. Malcolm was an ass kicker that was SO needed.

Assassination, she concluded makes an ASS out of you AND me.

[CountAllVotes]

7. Malcolm X's Legendary Speech: "The Ballot or the Bullet"

On April 12, 1964, one month after splitting with the NOI, Malcolm X gave his "Ballot or the Bullet" speech at King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit. In the speech Malcolm X described how Blacks should fight for civil-rights in America. Malcolm X emphasizes the worth of voting as a solution to ending discrimination against Blacks. He addresses both the poor voting decisions and also the denial of legitimate voting rights to Blacks.