About The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X follows the incredible life of one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 20th century. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm was the fourth of seven children. His father, a Baptist minister, was a passionate advocate for black self-reliance who was later killed by white supremacists. Malcolm’s mother was committed to a mental institution when he was just a child.Raised in a series of foster homes and institutions, Malcolm dropped out of school in the eighth grade. He moved to Boston to live with his half-sister, where he fell into a life of crime. In 1946, he was sentenced to ten years in prison for burglary.It was in prison that Malcolm began to educate himself, devouring books on history, philosophy, and religion. He also became involved with the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim movement that advocated for black self-sufficiency and separation from white society. Upon his release from prison in 1952, Malcolm changed his last name to X” to signify his rejection of his “slave name.”He quickly rose to become one of the Nation of Islam’s most prominent and outspoken leaders. But after a falling out with the organization’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm left the Nation of Islam in 1963. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he had a transformative experience that led him to abandon his separatist views and embrace a more inclusive form of Islam.Upon his return to the United States, Malcolm emerged as a powerful voice for racial justice, working tirelessly to promote understanding and cooperation between blacks and whites. His work came to a tragic end when he was assassinated by Nation of Islam members in 1965. However, his legacy continues to live on through his autobiography, which has inspired generations of activists.”
