Malcolm X

Alex Haley

Through a life of passion and struggle, Malcolm X became one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century. In this riveting account, he tells of his journey from a prison cell to Mecca, describing his transition from hoodlum to Muslim minister. Here, the man who called himself "the angriest Black man in America" relates how his conversion to true Islam helped him confront his rage and recognize the brotherhood of all mankind. An established classic of modern America, The Autobiography of Malcolm X was hailed by the New York Times as "Extraordinary. A brilliant, painful, important book." Still extraordinary, still important, this electrifying story has transformed Malcom X's life into his legacy. The strength of his words, the power of his ideas continue to resonate more than a generation after they first appeared.

A Life of Passion and Struggle

The Autobiography of Malcom X

Yes, I have cherished my "demagogue" role. I know that societies often have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America-then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.

Kay so Queso

The art of deception practiced by the Negro was based on a thorough understanding of the white man's mores, he said; at the same time the Negro has remained a closed book to the white man, who has never displayed any interest in understanding the Negro. (Page xii)

…a dedicated organizer for Marcus Aurelius Garvey's U.N.I.A. (Universal Negro Improvement Association).

I know this is a fucked up comparison, but this reminds me of JuiceWRLD talking about legends dying young and “predicting” his own death. I remember a friend telling me “omg it’s so crazy he did that”, but I took it more as he knew the kind of F’d up lifestyle he was living and that it had the same likely ending as the others; I read this in a similar vein. He’s not fortune telling here, but he’s read this story before and he knows how it ends.

Queue 'Atlanta': “You too Martin, and you know what they did to him?”

It has always been my belief that I, too, will die by violence. I have done all that I can to be prepared.

God dang, so little changes over time; the token Black friend is still a construct (although in a different context now)

He was the type who would never have been associated with Africa, until the fad of having African friends became a status-symbol for “middle-class" Negroes.

…I've thought back to that fight and reflected that it was Allah's work to stop me: I might have wound up punchy.

I wonder what he would think of today’s “colorblind” approach to race relations 

Whites are correct in thinking that black people are natural dancers.

God he’s so funny, this really shows the value of travelling and experiencing different lives

My appearance staggered the older boys I had once envied: I'd stick out my hand, saying “Skin me, daddy-o!" My stories about the Big Apple, my reefers keeping me sky-high-wherever I went, I was the life of the party. "My man! ... Gimme some skin!”

Merchant marine sailors often brought in foreign items, bargains, and the best marijuana cigarettes to be had were made of the “gunja” and “kisca” that merchant sailors smuggled in from Africa and Persia.

Or again, any number of musicians could tell you who I mean when I say that one of the most famous singers smoked his reefers through a chicken thighbone.

The Autobiography of Malcom X quotes

Join the club