The Autobiography of Malcolm X discussion

This book was inspirational in many ways. This book shows you how much the world has changed. Reading this book made me look at life differently. His life wasn't all that bad back then but when he did go through things they were pretty crucial.

His life wasn't all that bad? His father was probably murdered. The insurance company didn't pay the policy because they said he had committed suicide. So, his family was forced into poverty. He started to steal things just to have enough to eat. The state split up his family because they said his mother couldn't take care of them anymore. So, he was sent to different foster homes, separated from his siblings. He had to deal with pervasive racism his entire life. He got involved in crime, including running numbers (which nearly got him killed), doing drugs and robbing people. He was sent to jail for eight years. He spent that time copying the dictionary, reading and learning a ridiculously perverted brand of Islam. When he got out he did attain great success and fame as a minister and activist. However, he was then betrayed by the people whom he most believed in and trusted (aside from his family and perhaps his biographer) and he was murdered at a young age in front of his wife and children. Doesn't sound like that a great of a life to me.

I read this book many years ago, but it still stays with me as one of the best books, I have ever read. Alex Haley does a superb job transmitting the experience of speaking with Malcolm X-- to me if felt as if he was telling me his story directly.
Kevin, I agree that his life was rough, but that is what makes it remarkable and inspirational to me. I read an article called "The Odyssey of Malcolm X" (actually assigned it for my students every year) that shows how in his life he went through various identities based upon his circumstances. To me it is clear that through his odyssey he became the brilliant teacher he was; ultimately triumphing over the bad things in his life. It is very sad that he was taken, so violently, so young.

I was very moved by this book as well. In fact, after I read it, I laid down on my bedroom floor and just apologized to him for believing all of the bad things I had heard about him, without ever investigating his side. But he is remembered, and still culturally relevant. So, that's something. Maybe I'll see if I can find that article. If you want to read something else about him, maybe check out the poem I wrote about him in my book of poetry and prose, "The Sky and the Sea: Poetry and Prose." It's listed on here. I know, shameless self promotion!

When I finished this book,it changed my entire scope on life...Malcolm was one of the greatest African Americans to walk this planet with potential...he was unbelievably smart and it still amazes me how diligent he was and how many people including those who disagreed with him, admire such a prolific man like himself.

Eileen wrote: "I read this book many years ago, but it still stays with me as one of the best books, I have ever read. Alex Haley does a superb job transmitting the experience of speaking with Malcolm X-- to me i..."

Darnell wrote: "This book was inspirational in many ways. This book shows you how much the world has changed. Reading this book made me look at life differently. His life wasn't all that bad back then but when he ..."

Great reflection

Alex Haley did a fantastic job depicting Malcolm's life through words. Just seeing the dynamic person, Malcolm was made me proud to belong to the African race.