Analysis of Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley - Book Report/Review Example

 Autobiography of Malcolm X This book is an autobiography written by Alex Haley based on an interview carried one on one with Malcolm X in 1965. It provides an account of the life and experiences Malcolm X underwent to become who he was at that time (Haley, 1999). The autobiography is set between 1925 and 1965 and provides a detailed history on how Malcolm views and personality became shaped by experiences (Haley, 1999). This book is important because it provides an account of Malcolm X life right from when he was born, grew up, school life, urban life, personal experiences regarding racism, prison life, his point of view regarding religion and political life. 1. Was Malcolm’s family situation extraordinary or not uncommon for black people at the time? In what ways did his home situation differ or resemble that of other African Americans? Malcolm X situation was not different at that time from what other African American families underwent. Living in a society where racism was deep rooted, even in the elite white society, the African Americans always became oppressed. Malcolm’s father was a preacher, spreading Christianity to other people, but when he started embracing the teachings of Marvin Garvey, promoting African-American solidarity, he started getting threats from white racist groups like Ku Klax Klan (Haley, 1999). Eventually, Malcolm’s father was killed by the white gangs and later framed it on suicide. This was common since African deaths were not considered seriously (Haley, 1999). After, Malcolm relocated to Leisling and started going to school, he met oppression from the whites in his class, especially his teacher. Malcolm wanted to become a lawyer, but her teacher discourages and dismissed his dream by claiming he fit to become a carpenter. The African Americans at that time were oppressed in schools due to racism resulting in high dropout rate, just like what Malcolm did after grade 8 (Haley, 1999). The African Americans at that time became destined to serve the whites and not to get jobs that outcompeted them. Therefore, the education system did not provide a way for the African child to succeed and get a job like a white child (Haley, 1999). Malcolm’s family was also poor, just like most of the African American families. The society at that time could not allow for rich African American families to exist in the midst of white population. Once they discovered one was rising, they could look for ways to oppress him or her (Haley, 1999). 2. How did urban life (Boston and New York) change him? Malcolm arrived in Boston, behaving and looking like a country boy. At his arrival, she had no sense of urban life. As he continued to stay in Boston, he adopted to urban life (Haley, 1999). In Boston, Ella prompts him to explore Boston before getting a job. Malcolm discovers that in Boston, there are two types of classes; the middle class and the ghetto people. He decides to stay with the ghetto people as he despises the middle class like Ella whom he believe ape the white (Haley, 1999). In the ghetto, Malcolm admires the life of his fellow African Americans. He adapted to their ways, culture and even clothing styles. At one point, Malcolm gets a job after being taught by a shoe shiner to serve white men and rich African American people. After a while, he starts drinking and peddling drugs. Furthermore, he becomes more involved and tries to associate with what the people from the ghetto did (Haley, 1999). He also manages to get a white girlfriend, Sandra, whom he misuses, though he never loved her. Malcolm thought by mistreating his white girlfriend, it will be a way to express his racial prejudice he had earlier experienced in life (Haley, 1999). 3. Discuss his experiences with crime and prison. For example: How does he view crime? Why, does he believe, is he sent to prison? How does he view prison? How does prison “save” or “redeem” him? While living in Harlem Ghetto, Malcolm manages to get a place to live rented by prostitutes (Haley, 1999). He also befriended a pimp called Sammy, whom he trusted. In Harlem ghetto, he managed to get a job as a bar tender, but sideways, was involved in drug peddling and theft to make ends meet. He describes that the blacks in the ghetto lived the way they did because of the whites (Haley, 1999). He blamed the whites for oppressing the poor blacks through the lotteries they carries out, “All of us—who might have probed space, or cured cancer, or built industries—were, instead, black victims of the white man’s American social system” (Harley, 1999, p. 55). He viewed the rich whites as exploitative since some of them visited Harlem to supply drugs and get their women cheaply. It is in Harlem, that he got his name, “Detroit Red” from having red curly hair (Haley, 1999). The biography describes Harlem life as tough. Malcolm used to sell marijuana to an extent that the Narcotic team in New York knew him (Haley, 1999). When the bar he used to work closes, he decides to engage into theft. In his gang, he had Shorty, Rudy, Sophia plus his sister. The women used to scout white rich neighborhoods before Malcolm and his crew burgled them (Haley, 1999). He even acquired a gun for himself. This clearly shows the state in which things had turned and how life in Harlem forced a good young boy to turn in a life of crime. Malcolm views crime as a way to survive in the harsh environment which the whites caused it (Haley, 1999). In Harlem, Malcolm’s life went from worsened each day as he got into trouble with the various gangs and cops. There is a point in Malcolm’s life that the Italian racketeers, West Indian Archie, and cops all posed a threat to Malcolm’s life. Life in Harlem became unbearable as his life was too at stake following various feuds he had been (Haley, 1999). Later, Malcolm got caught up and imprisoned for 10 years on grounds of interracial relationship wind Sophia instead of burglary charges. Racial grounds are used in ensuring he serves jail term for that long. In prison, Malcolm takes the opportunity to reflect upon his life and change (Haley, 1999). He is first taken to Massachusetts state prison, where he manages to change intellectually and religiously. During his first days in prison, he underwent drug withdrawal and temper issues resulting to his solitary confinement (Haley, 1999). H even became nicknamed “Satan”. In prison, according to Haley’s autobiography, Malcolm met Bimbi, an exceptional black prisoner that influences Malcolm positively. He encourages Malcolm to utilize the prison library to improve his intellectual capacity (Haley, 1999). In 1948, Malcolm gets moved to Norfolk prison colony, a place which was less violent and prisoners at least had more freedom when it came to debating and studying. While in prison, he eventually converts to Islam and follows their teaching making him a better person (Haley, 1999). 4. Describe Elijah Muhammad philosophyincluding the Nation of Islam. How did the Black Muslims view white Americans and Jews? And how did they view American blacks? How did they view women? How did they view “northern liberals”? Malcolm learns about the Nation of Islam from his brother while in prison. Reginald encourages him to stop eating pork according to teachings of Elijah Muhammad (Haley, 1999). After refusing to eat pork, he feels good about it and decides and follow it take interest in the religion (Haley, 1999). In accordance to Elijah Muhammad philosophies, white men are regarded as devils. According to Elijah Muhammad teachings, he believed that blacks were the first humans and they lived peacefully in Mecca under Allah (Haley, 1999). The Nation of Islam implicates that Mr. Yacub, a mad scientist, is the one who unleashed the evil white race in Europe to abuse non whites (Haley, 1999). His teachings continued to say that black people emanated from being stolen from Africa, and later became brain washed. It continues by saying that white people are the ones who forced black people to adopt myths, customs, names and their god. He insisted that white civilization is on the verge of destroying itself. While still in prison, Malcolm became intrigued by Elijah’s teaching and started writing letters to him (Haley, 1999). 5. How does Malcolm’s political and social philosophy change over the course of his life? As Malcolm grew in life, a number of changes regarding his political and social philosophy occurred. When he was young, he viewed the whites as the political leaders in the nation and could not imagine himself voicing his thoughts without being harassed. After he went to prison, and became an active member of the Nation of Islam, he started getting more equivocal as he became the spokesman of the group (Haley, 1999). At the political scene, he gained much attention and this attracted a lot of media coverage on him and the group. After a scandal involving Elijah Muhammad, he was later ex communicated from the group and threats sent his way. He then decided to form another group that stood for every African American without discriminating them on the basis of religion (Haley, 1999). Malcolm’s social philosophy changed with time. Living in a ghetto in Boston, where he embraced a life of crime and believed that Black people were that way because of white authority, Malcolm constantly was in trouble with several groups in the ghetto including the police (Haley, 1999). After a while, Malcolm went to prison and started adjusting his social philosophy. He embraced the Nation of Islam, started preaching to fellow in mates regarding converting to Islam (Haley, 1999). After Malcolm was excommunicated from the Nation of Islam and found his own group, he made a life changing trip to Mecca in 1964. It is in Mecca that he appreciated that is possible for African American to live with the whites as brothers and sisters (Haley, 1999). 6. According to Malcolm X, white Americans used Christianity as a weapon against other people. Do you agree or disagree? Was Malcolm himself using Islam as a weapon? Malcolm X, viewed Christianity accordance to Elijah’s teaching as the white man’s tool to have dominion over other non white groups. In accordance to my opinion, I agree with Malcolm X. Christianity was forced into African American lives (Haley, 1999). Those who followed its teachings were at the mercy of the whites, while those who chose to disobey it by the book, ended up being punished (Haley, 1999). Malcolm’s father used to be a Christian preacher, who eventually ended up being murdered by whites after he established a relationship with Marcus Garvey. In addition, Christianity was spread by the White and it aimed at brainwashing the African Americans in believing in the White’s God to provide them with salvation (Haley, 1999). After Malcolm X became a Muslim, he too acted as an Islam weapon. Malcolm preached to his fellow in mates in a bid to increase his Muslim followers. After his release, he continued spreading the gospel regarding Islamism and got many followers, “America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem” (Haley, 1999, p. 124). After the scandal regarding the Nation of Islam, his ex communication proved that he was only but a weapon to spread Islam (Haley, 1999). In conclusion, the book is important as it provides an account of Malcolm X life right from when he was born, grew up, school life, urban life, personal experiences regarding racism, social life, crime life, prison life, his point of view regarding religion and political life. References Haley, A. (1999). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine Books. Read More