"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." (Malcolm X). The Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson follows the life of Malcolm X, starting from when he went to prison. Malcolm grew up with his father killed by the Ku Klux Klan for being too outspoken on racial topics and his mother institutionalized. He and his best friend, Shorty, went to prison after being manipulated and tricked by his white girlfriend, Sophia. As the book progresses, we watch Malcolm go from being lost and confused to finding himself and something to believe in through Islam, stemming from the influence of his past and the people around him.
When first sent to prison, Malcolm has nothing to believe in. In a flashback on page 33, Malcolm's mom says, "And your father, he served a mighty God." Malcolm grew up in a religious household, as his mother talks about God and how his father served God. During the church session at his prison on page 45, Malcolm turns to someone and says, " 'Homeboy, you really into all that? You don't believe this shit, do you?' He cuts me a surprised glare.
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On page 185, Malcolm says, "I receive letters almost daily from Philbert and Wilfred, urging me to become a Muslim and join the nation of Islam." As we know from the previous paragraph, Malcolm discovering Islam helps him to find his peace. Malcolm's siblings introduce him to Islam, therefore being the catalyst needed to start Malcolm's journey to self-realization. Bembry also helps Malcolm find his peace. On page 234, Malcolm says, "The Honorable Elijah Mubammad's letters make me want to learn everything there is to learn. Bembry set the course for my studies, and Mr. Muhhamad added the gasoline." The quote means that Mr. Muhhamad adds to what Bembry had already begun helping Malcolm discover. Bembry had already started to help Malcolm, and Mr. Muhhamad ignited what Bembry had already been doing to help