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Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Explores Malcolm X's multi-faceted character through rare photographs, and an historical text
- GenresNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 1, 2015
For those of us who are interested in the study of the life of Malcolm X, the total body of knowledge about him is like a big building. Each book, journal or magazine article, tape, album, cd, youtube video, documentary--that is, each individual material---is like a room within that building. Every once in a while, a gold nugget of information is offered up within a given material, that fills the crack in the wall of one of the rooms. This book has a number of gold nuggets:
1)John Henrik Clarke, Malcolm's Historical information provider, believes that Malcolm's march on the police station with a number of NOI people to protest the brutality against one of its members, a scene graphically displayed in the Malcolm X movie, where an official said, "That is too much power for one man to hold," was the first ramping up of the NY Police Dept. efforts towards Malcolm's destruction.
2)The fact that the mainstream press laid off of the rumors of Elijah Muhammad's illegitimate children, and did not highlight them, legitimately leads one to conclude that there was more interest in destroying Malcolm as an individual than there was in destroying the NOI. pg. 158.
3)A picture of Malcolm on pg. 178, wearing a daishiki, in Ghana, out for a stroll with the widow of W.E.B. DuBois, Shirley Graham DuBois. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but that picture is worth a whole lot more to anyone who understands, and is into, the Black struggle for freedom in America.
4)The excellent photographs of Malcolm's early life, pictures of him as a teen that are not to be found anywhere else. Just the overall brilliance of the book's pictures. Any picture that has Malcolm smiling displays a smile that could light up a universe. There is a special electricity and charisma to Malcolm's smile that shows the glow of God's presence within him.
5)An associate of Malcolm saying, more than anything else, that "Malcolm was a master teacher."There is no more profound truth about Malcolm than this. pg. 115.
6) The picture on pg. 191 of Malcolm consulting with Alex Haley on "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," a book that Time named as one of the greatest non-fiction books of the 20th century.
There are just a number of things of value in this book, with a good narrative, that makes it worth it to any collector of Malcolm X information. A very solid job. I am glad to have discovered this book.
PS--Chapter 4 in "Reality's Pen: Reflections On Family, History & Culture" by Thomas D. Rush is called "Inspiration." That chapter is really a moving dedication to Malcolm X. Anyone interested in Malcolm X will find that chapter worth one's while. In addition, there is much to be gained from the rest of the book.
1)John Henrik Clarke, Malcolm's Historical information provider, believes that Malcolm's march on the police station with a number of NOI people to protest the brutality against one of its members, a scene graphically displayed in the Malcolm X movie, where an official said, "That is too much power for one man to hold," was the first ramping up of the NY Police Dept. efforts towards Malcolm's destruction.
2)The fact that the mainstream press laid off of the rumors of Elijah Muhammad's illegitimate children, and did not highlight them, legitimately leads one to conclude that there was more interest in destroying Malcolm as an individual than there was in destroying the NOI. pg. 158.
3)A picture of Malcolm on pg. 178, wearing a daishiki, in Ghana, out for a stroll with the widow of W.E.B. DuBois, Shirley Graham DuBois. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but that picture is worth a whole lot more to anyone who understands, and is into, the Black struggle for freedom in America.
4)The excellent photographs of Malcolm's early life, pictures of him as a teen that are not to be found anywhere else. Just the overall brilliance of the book's pictures. Any picture that has Malcolm smiling displays a smile that could light up a universe. There is a special electricity and charisma to Malcolm's smile that shows the glow of God's presence within him.
5)An associate of Malcolm saying, more than anything else, that "Malcolm was a master teacher."There is no more profound truth about Malcolm than this. pg. 115.
6) The picture on pg. 191 of Malcolm consulting with Alex Haley on "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," a book that Time named as one of the greatest non-fiction books of the 20th century.
There are just a number of things of value in this book, with a good narrative, that makes it worth it to any collector of Malcolm X information. A very solid job. I am glad to have discovered this book.
PS--Chapter 4 in "Reality's Pen: Reflections On Family, History & Culture" by Thomas D. Rush is called "Inspiration." That chapter is really a moving dedication to Malcolm X. Anyone interested in Malcolm X will find that chapter worth one's while. In addition, there is much to be gained from the rest of the book.
January 15, 2024
Fantastic read!
May 16, 2019
Emotional photos tell a story. Amazing juxtaposition with oral history. Reading about him traveling to Africa and the middle east to learn and to find himself then returning sure of himself and expecting his death ward haunting and oddly beautiful.
July 2, 2016
In late 1938 she had a nervous breakdown and was committed to Kalamazoo State Hospital. The children were separated and sent to foster homes. Malcolm and his siblings secured her release 24 years later.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews