He is so cool ( )

Only wishing Malcolm X didn't consider women traps and as objects for men to control for so much of his life.

Amazing autobiography, well worth the hype, and deserving of it's status of one of the best books of all time. I struggled a bit with the first half of it, with his time hustling on the streets, and up until going to prison.

His transformation in prison though, was incredible. Malcom's journey of spirituality and self-education was incredible. I also found his story on his Hajj to Mecca was particularly beautiful as well. Realizing that racial division is purely a social construct, and can be optional. Experiencing brotherhood with white people was something he was truly affected by, and changed his outlook entirely.

At the end of the book, he kind of just rambles about random philosophies he has with regards to fixing racism in America, and his plans for the future, and certain outlooks on life, and it's just incredible. I wanted that last part to go on forever, simply so much wisdom there to consume.

Tonnns of favorite quotes from this book:

“I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda… I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”

“Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight.”

“Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better."

“I certainly wasn't seeking any degree, the way a college confers a status symbol upon its students. My homemade education gave me, with every additional book that I read, a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America. Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me, asking questions. One was, "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books.” ( )

Of dubious authenticity as it was published 8 months after Shabazz was assassinated, and the author, Alex Haley, has been widely accused of plagiarism and/or fabrication. In some instances, these accusations have been proven. The most relevant instance involves an interview with MLK, Jr., which was conducted shortly before Shabazz's assassination and was published shortly afterwards. Haley was proven to have completely fabricated a statement, attributed to King, describing Shabazz as dangerous. The discrepancy between the transcript and the published interview was discovered after Haley's death by MLK, Jr. biographer Jonathan Eig.

The world is poorer for not having gotten to see where Malcolm X's evolution as an activist and intellectual would have taken him next.

I also think he was definitely still presenting an image in his book, and I would like to find a good biography vs autobiography. Preferably one that does not rely heavily on Alex Haley reporting, given recent revelations that Haley fabricated the Martin Luther King Jr quote calling Malcolm X "fiery" and "demagogic." Given that the Autobiography of Malcolm X was published posthumously, can we be sure Malcolm X really did approve what was written? ( )