Last summer, while unemployed and squatting in a house in Oberlin, I read this book and it changed my perspective on many things. Malcolm X, in my opinion, is one of history's most misunderstood men. This book should be required reading in high school.
From this book, one learns of the childhood that shaped his views about race relations, the time he spent in the north east as a young man, the prison sentence that would lead him to Islam, the influence he had on the NOI and its growth, and finally the shift away from the NOI after his trip to Mecca. Many contrast Malcolm X with Dr. King in such a way that vilified him, creating an image of a racist, hate-mongering separatist.
Read the book to realize how wrong that image is.
Related and highly recommended: Black Power: The Politics of Liberation
4 comments:
I'd also recommend Spike Lee's film take on Malcolm X. It's long, but excellent. People on the set said that Denzel Washington at times seemed to be channeling Malcolm.
Yes, that movie is amazing.
Funny how Denzel didn't win the Oscar for that role, but instead for his role as a corrupt cop in Training Day....
I've been interested in trying to find a book on malcolm X to read. Thanks for recommending?
And Barrie's comment is totally on point.
Oh, I'm a do-gooder white person. Black people love me, oooohhhh.
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