Alex Haley's The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

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The Autobiography of Malcolm X is the personal account of the life of African-American muslim minister, human rights activist and political leader el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. A controversial and polarizing figure, Malcolm X was known for advocating the liberation and self-defence of the African-American people through "any means necessary". Co-written by accomplished journalist Alex Haley, this book provides personal insight into the life and mind of one the 20th century's greatest men. - Religion The theme of religion pops up often throughout the book. Malcolm is exposed to religion early in his life as his father was a preacher, but Malcolm stated “Even at that young age, I just couldn't believe in the Christian concept of Jesus as someone divine…I had very little respect for most people who represented religion”. Malcolm’s statement made me reflect on my beliefs as I don’t necessarily agree with the christian concept of God …show more content…

For example, following his relocation to Boston, Malcolm finds "the Hill," which he describes as a"snooty-black neighborhood" that contains African-Americans "acting and living differently from any black people I'd ever dreamed of in my life…. and looking down their noses at the Negroes of the black ghetto." Malcolm is initially alarmed by the fact that black people are trying to become "white" by taking "white" speech patterns and clothing. In Malcolm's case, his transformation is represented by the "conk," a popular hairstyle that straightens curly hair. Malcolm's "conk" elevates him from a lowly "country Negro" to a cool, popular "city Negro". The conking of the hair involved a mixture that painfully burnt the scalp. As Malcolm said, "This was my first really big step toward self-degradation: when I endured all of that pain, literally burning my flesh to have it look like a white man's