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Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X
Analyzes selected writings by and about Malcolm X, compares Malcolm to such figures as Martin Luther King and Louis Farrakhan, and discusses his influence on young African American males.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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576 people want to read
About the author
Michael Eric Dyson
82 books1,146 followersMichael Eric Dyson is an American academic, author, and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2025
Sadly (for me), NOT a biography, but IS likely the most objective approach to Malcolm X’s political and social impact on Black American culture. The re-telling of Malcom’s life is brief (15-pages brief to be exact), instead Dyson focuses his analysis on contextualizing Malcolm before the backdrop of a racially-oppressive, Capitalist system to dissect and empathize with the plight of Black Americans, especially that of Black Men.
The text is academic and fairly accessible (though not as accessible as authors like Angela Davis). The content insightful, well structured and written. Unfortunately some of its political conclusions seemed to fall short, and the lack of focus on Malcolm at times felt misleading given the title and cover of the book.
Overall it was a great read that I might still recommend to the right audience, I just expected something a little different.
The text is academic and fairly accessible (though not as accessible as authors like Angela Davis). The content insightful, well structured and written. Unfortunately some of its political conclusions seemed to fall short, and the lack of focus on Malcolm at times felt misleading given the title and cover of the book.
Overall it was a great read that I might still recommend to the right audience, I just expected something a little different.
January 9, 2018
2013-08 - Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X. Michael Eric Dyson (Author) 1995. 248 Pages.
Not what I expected. More a survey of how views of Malcolm and the uses of Malcolm have evolved. Malcolm is arguably the flip side Martin Luther King and the question is always could one have achieved without the other even though they did not really work together or agree with each other’s point of view … more of an academic book.
Not what I expected. More a survey of how views of Malcolm and the uses of Malcolm have evolved. Malcolm is arguably the flip side Martin Luther King and the question is always could one have achieved without the other even though they did not really work together or agree with each other’s point of view … more of an academic book.
November 7, 2018
A very good re-examination of the philosophy of Malcolm X.
January 12, 2010
A very objective book on Malcolm X. More often enough, Malcolm X evoke extreme positive or negative literature. Without demonizing or sanctifying the man, the author manage to approach the legacy from a reasoning place.
45 years after his death, Malcolm X still evoke strong debates debate. Reading the book in public places made people looked at me with fear, contempt, and occasionally puzzled.
Of course while reading it many people tried to compare him to Martin Luther King Jr. and asked me who I thought was "the best". Which is ridiculous, both man die for their cause and did what they could to help it.
The reason why I love Malcolm X so much is because of his unconditional love for his people and his ability to embrace change.Through the course of his life Malcolm X went through many transformations. From hustler con artist, to black nationalist and finally to human right activist. Ossie Davis in his eulogy put it best:
Here—at this final hour, in this quiet place—Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes—extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought—his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are—and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again—in Harlem—to share these last moments with him.
For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought for her and have defended her honor even to the death. It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us—unconquered still.
I say the word again, as he would want me to: Afro-American—Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men.
Malcolm had stopped being a "Negro" years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American, and he wanted—so desperately—that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans, too.
There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times.
Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain—and we will smile. Many will say turn away—away from this man; for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man—and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate—a fanatic, a racist—who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them:
Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did, you would know him. And if you knew him, you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood!
This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: "My journey," he says, "is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for freedom and honor and dignity in the States."
"I am writing these things so that you will know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African States for our human rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a united front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each other."
However we may have differed with him—or with each other about him and his value as a man—let his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.
Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man—but a seed—which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us.
And we will know him then for what he was and is—a prince—our own black shining prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.
45 years after his death, Malcolm X still evoke strong debates debate. Reading the book in public places made people looked at me with fear, contempt, and occasionally puzzled.
Of course while reading it many people tried to compare him to Martin Luther King Jr. and asked me who I thought was "the best". Which is ridiculous, both man die for their cause and did what they could to help it.
The reason why I love Malcolm X so much is because of his unconditional love for his people and his ability to embrace change.Through the course of his life Malcolm X went through many transformations. From hustler con artist, to black nationalist and finally to human right activist. Ossie Davis in his eulogy put it best:
Here—at this final hour, in this quiet place—Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes—extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought—his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are—and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again—in Harlem—to share these last moments with him.
For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought for her and have defended her honor even to the death. It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us—unconquered still.
I say the word again, as he would want me to: Afro-American—Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men.
Malcolm had stopped being a "Negro" years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American, and he wanted—so desperately—that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans, too.
There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times.
Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain—and we will smile. Many will say turn away—away from this man; for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man—and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate—a fanatic, a racist—who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them:
Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did, you would know him. And if you knew him, you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood!
This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: "My journey," he says, "is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for freedom and honor and dignity in the States."
"I am writing these things so that you will know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African States for our human rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a united front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each other."
However we may have differed with him—or with each other about him and his value as a man—let his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.
Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man—but a seed—which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us.
And we will know him then for what he was and is—a prince—our own black shining prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.
September 29, 2016
Easily the most objective work on Malcolm X I've ever read. I mistakenly thought it would be a biography, but it's much more of a critical examination of Malcolm's legacy and an analysis of the political climate of its time (originally published in 1995). What Dyson believes we should take from Malcolm, if nothing else, is the eagerness to think critically about anything and everything--to question our beliefs, situations, and leaders. Only through his willingness to question was Malcolm able to evolve in such dramatic ways during his short life.
One of the more interesting chapters takes on black film, and I'd love to read an updated version, since one of Dyson's major gripes with contemporary film at that time was sexism (a cultural problem he sees reflected in Malcolm's rhetoric). It would be worthwhile to have his perspective on how we've progressed since black films with majority female casts and/or by black female directors are much more prominent since Set It Off, Love & Basketball, Pariah, Beyond the Lights, and others.
There's also a chapter dedicated to examining how the Clinton presidency changed the conversation on race relations up until the point of the book's publication. It's an eye-opening read for someone like me, as I was too young to have paid much attention to these matters at the time. With that chapter in mind, I'm interested to read The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America.
One of the more interesting chapters takes on black film, and I'd love to read an updated version, since one of Dyson's major gripes with contemporary film at that time was sexism (a cultural problem he sees reflected in Malcolm's rhetoric). It would be worthwhile to have his perspective on how we've progressed since black films with majority female casts and/or by black female directors are much more prominent since Set It Off, Love & Basketball, Pariah, Beyond the Lights, and others.
There's also a chapter dedicated to examining how the Clinton presidency changed the conversation on race relations up until the point of the book's publication. It's an eye-opening read for someone like me, as I was too young to have paid much attention to these matters at the time. With that chapter in mind, I'm interested to read The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America.
December 10, 2011
Overall, it's a pretty good book. I wouldn't say it's a must-read, unless you're specifically interested in Malcolm X, in which case, by all means - not just for the argument, but also for the bibliography! For the general public, not so much, but it would definitely make the short-list for anyone working on (or invested in thinking about) African American culture.
I tend to find Michael Eric Dyson's work incredibly frustrating, in that he writes about topics I find interesting, and I agree with a lot of what he says, and respect him as a scholar, and yet... he annoys the hell out of me. This book started out the same way. The Preface, a highly personal account of his experience teaching a seminar on Malcolm X and the problems he had with some of the students - particularly a group of young black men - that segued into a a blend of autobiography, diatribe, and self-promotion, was pretty off-putting, even though I absolutely acknowledge that the problems he was facing were thorny ones. When I realized that the book was published in 1996 (I had thought it was pretty recent), I understood why he felt he needed all that justification of his qualifications to speak on the subject. But it still annoyed me. Dyson somehow regularly fails to be compelling to me when he gets personal. I respect the guy, but I don't especially like him. Luckily, after the first chapter, the book moves into a more strictly academic mode, and in the process, it gets a lot better. Dyson is unbelievably well read (and he makes a point of letting you know that in the copious footnotes), and his analyses are generally extremely insightful and interesting. I suspect most readers will find the book overly dry and academic - it reads like a dissertation, for the most part (especially the second chapter, which is essentially a literature review of Malcolm X biography/criticism, and while it is impressively exhaustive, it's also quite dull) - despite its many moments of high flown rhetoric. It's not exactly an entertaining read, but it's a pretty good primer, not so much on Malcolm X as critical receptions of him, and his legacy. Dyson admirably manages the balancing act of celebrating Malcolm X as an inspiring figure and a hero of sorts while also critiquing his shortcomings, and his investigation of the way that Malcolm X has loomed large over black politics and pop culture is sharp and compelling.
More thoughts (and quotes!) on the blog.
I tend to find Michael Eric Dyson's work incredibly frustrating, in that he writes about topics I find interesting, and I agree with a lot of what he says, and respect him as a scholar, and yet... he annoys the hell out of me. This book started out the same way. The Preface, a highly personal account of his experience teaching a seminar on Malcolm X and the problems he had with some of the students - particularly a group of young black men - that segued into a a blend of autobiography, diatribe, and self-promotion, was pretty off-putting, even though I absolutely acknowledge that the problems he was facing were thorny ones. When I realized that the book was published in 1996 (I had thought it was pretty recent), I understood why he felt he needed all that justification of his qualifications to speak on the subject. But it still annoyed me. Dyson somehow regularly fails to be compelling to me when he gets personal. I respect the guy, but I don't especially like him. Luckily, after the first chapter, the book moves into a more strictly academic mode, and in the process, it gets a lot better. Dyson is unbelievably well read (and he makes a point of letting you know that in the copious footnotes), and his analyses are generally extremely insightful and interesting. I suspect most readers will find the book overly dry and academic - it reads like a dissertation, for the most part (especially the second chapter, which is essentially a literature review of Malcolm X biography/criticism, and while it is impressively exhaustive, it's also quite dull) - despite its many moments of high flown rhetoric. It's not exactly an entertaining read, but it's a pretty good primer, not so much on Malcolm X as critical receptions of him, and his legacy. Dyson admirably manages the balancing act of celebrating Malcolm X as an inspiring figure and a hero of sorts while also critiquing his shortcomings, and his investigation of the way that Malcolm X has loomed large over black politics and pop culture is sharp and compelling.
More thoughts (and quotes!) on the blog.
June 24, 2018
Because we have gotten better, old radicals often seem less radical over time. The pragmatic hedonism and secular calm of Epicurus was once fanatically detested, but is now a standard worldview (it's roughly that of the happy scientist); at one time Spinoza’s Ethics (determinism, Nature as deity, religious and political tolerance) was the wildest thing ever said in the history of the Christian world; Montesquieu’s disgust at aristocratic brutality, gross luxury and torture are commonplaces; Paine’s raging insistence on human rights and total secularism are very successful (in Europe at least); and anyone who disagrees with duBois’ or MLK’s aims is foolish or virulent.
Malcolm X has not yet been incorporated in this way - but, reading his less ranty stuff (not the early “TOO BLACK, TOO STRONG” variety) you wonder why. Might have been his influential homophobia, but that’s hardly stopped other thinkers. (This suggests it's because we have a false, caricature of him in mind, one that believes in whites-as-devils and Fanonian purifying violence.)
Dyson does not skimp on his downsides, and tackles the thorniest idea in identity politics: that experience is absolute, and so understanding a group’s ideas and values requires group membership – that ideas have colour as people do.
Malcolm X has not yet been incorporated in this way - but, reading his less ranty stuff (not the early “TOO BLACK, TOO STRONG” variety) you wonder why. Might have been his influential homophobia, but that’s hardly stopped other thinkers. (This suggests it's because we have a false, caricature of him in mind, one that believes in whites-as-devils and Fanonian purifying violence.)
Dyson does not skimp on his downsides, and tackles the thorniest idea in identity politics: that experience is absolute, and so understanding a group’s ideas and values requires group membership – that ideas have colour as people do.
December 30, 2016
This is not a biographical book on Malcolm X, it is an analysis of the cultural rebirth of Malcolm as a black icon. When it comes to him, people are divided between pro and anti, there's no common ground, either vilifying and sanctifying him. However, Dr. Dyson attempts with this book to give the readers a rational read into the legacy of Malcolm X.
Dyson critically examines the published books on Malcolm, in the first part of the book 'Malcolm X's Intellectual Legacy'. The second part 'Malcolm X In Contemporary Society,' Dyson explores the black nationalism, black masculinity, Spike's film, heroism, collective memory and finally the crisis of black males.
Part I of the book is my favorite, especially when he scrutinizes Malcolm's own autobiography. Dr. Dyson successfully presents Malcolm's positive and negative views even when discussing difficult issues like misogyny and sexuality. The downside, in my opinion, is when Dyson gets off topic at times which distracting and annoying.
Overall, it's informative and objective, although not the best book by Dyson but it's still enjoyable.
Dyson critically examines the published books on Malcolm, in the first part of the book 'Malcolm X's Intellectual Legacy'. The second part 'Malcolm X In Contemporary Society,' Dyson explores the black nationalism, black masculinity, Spike's film, heroism, collective memory and finally the crisis of black males.
Part I of the book is my favorite, especially when he scrutinizes Malcolm's own autobiography. Dr. Dyson successfully presents Malcolm's positive and negative views even when discussing difficult issues like misogyny and sexuality. The downside, in my opinion, is when Dyson gets off topic at times which distracting and annoying.
Overall, it's informative and objective, although not the best book by Dyson but it's still enjoyable.
June 28, 2008
Expertly written and highly engaging, Dyson makes some incredible points about those left with the memory of Malcolm who shape and reshape it. A must read if you study black history. It's only downfall is that Dyson leaves a bit lacking in his discussion of gender issues. Other that this, it's a thought inspiring, well written quick read.
December 20, 2009
At times, I thought Dyson's writings were somewhat self-aggrandizing, but that doesn't take away from his brilliance. Given that he has spent his life so far researching Malcolm X, he provides some insightful analysis into Malcolm's life and motives.
March 9, 2009
This author thinks Malcolm X is just a hero. Nevermind that he was a militant, angry man. This book was not my favorite.
August 17, 2009
I learned that in 1987, more black American men died than all the Americans killed during the nine years of the Vietnam war. That is messed up.
June 7, 2011
Disappointing book based on the topic and the author's stature. Regurgitated themes - no originality.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews