What Is The Structural Choice In The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

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The autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Hanley, is describing how rough, violent, and racist it was during the era Malcolm X was born. They weren’t wanted in the in towns, cities, because they were a different race, the “white people” didn’t respect them, always treating them poorly. Everywhere they go, would be different, they can’t get paid as well as the white people. Different race people were still considered as “slaves” basically. Malcolm X tries to overcome what the white people have thrown at him, by choosing to be on the dark side. The author uses structural choice throughout the autobiography showing how Malcolm’s experience in life. Malcolm X’s autobiography begins at a night when the KKK shows …show more content…

One of the major event that happened in his life was when his history teacher Mr. Ostrowski asked what he wanted to become in his future. He briefly with confidence said “well yes sire, I want to become a lawyer.”(Pg 38) Mr.Ostrowski looked surprised and said nicely that he couldn’t become a lawyer because of his skin color. That is racial identification, telling him he can’t become something he wants to be, because of his race. That also falls under the chart of systemic oppression, how the society doesn’t want colored people to become something big in their life, clearly stating that they are worthless, and can’t be better than the whites.

As years pass by Malcolm X moves to boston, thinking that he will have a lot more opportunities education wise, work, etc. The author shows how Malcolm was changing, starting to get involved in drugs and robberies. He was always hanging out on the ghetto side of the town, his style was starting to change. Malcolm was also trying to deny his blackness, by getting his hair done “conk” style, he was trying to act less black and more to the white side. That was also racial identification he was trying to please the white folks he was trying to get himself appreciated by the