Early in the book the tough problems facing Malcolm X, his family, and African Americans as a whole were readily shown. It was also shown that prejudice and racism were not exclusive to the South but were rather a nation wide epidemic. Malcolm X, originally Malcolm Little, was born May 19, 1925, in Omaha Nebraska. His father, Earl Little, a Baptist Minister who preached that all African Americans should go back to Africa for their own good, was constantly threatened with violence from the Ku Klux Klan. Fearful for his family, he moved to Lansing Michigan hoping that the racism would be less severe in the No

The Autobiography of Malcolm X does not fit the traditional definition of an autobiography. "The text was prepared with the assistance of Alex Haley, who fashioned it into a coherent book." ("Atlantic",150) The best example of the quality of the writing is seen in the language and dialect used throughout the book. While a hustler slang is used. When speaking of the Nation of Islam religious words of praise are used. Finally, when referring to the rallies he spoke at powerful words of anger are used. Another thing that makes this book effective is that it is written as though Malcolm X is speaking to the reader, even though the majority of the autobiography was mostly written by Alex Haley.

I believe that Malcolm X would be very proud of his autobiography and what is has represented and accomplished. This autobiography refuted the many negative views of Malcolm X and showed the reader what Malcolm X really stood for. Malcolm X was an advocate of change. He was a supporter of uniting African Americans so they could gain the power to fight for the rights they deserved. The Autobiography of Malcolm X gave the public a different, a positive, a correct view of the civil rights leader known best as Malcolm X.

A final depiction of this time concerned the determination and hope civil rights leaders and African Americans shared. Finally the people discriminated against found leaders in both Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a united whole they finally possessed the power to make changes. Things changed because people like Malcolm X wanted or needed it to and people were tired of being held from their dreams. Near the end of his life Malcolm X said in reference to his dreams, "I do believe that I might have made a good lawyer." ("Newsweek", 130)

Another historical depiction his autobiography gives is that of the dramatic changes that occurred in the lifetime of Malcolm X, especially in the 1960's. Malcolm X was a perfect symbol and a strong leader of the changes that occurred during this time. Malcolm X, having changed so dramatically throughout his life from a criminal to a leader of many African Americans, was the perfect symbol of positive change. As a leader of reform he helped the primarily African American religion of Muslims grow "from 400 to 40,000" (Nelson, 337). In addition to the Muslims he helped unite he also many other African Americans to gain pride and fight for their rights through his famous speeches. The autobiography showed the fear many white people had of the changes gaining power through the likes of Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders. "He was talking now like a member of a revolutionary majority," (Nelson, 337) which is exactly what the civil rights movement seemed to be at the time, "a revolutionary majority." (Nelson, 337)

Another message found late in this book was that violence is not always the way to change things. In fact, using violence did two things. First, it distracted from the actual message they were trying to spread. Secondly, it gave the racists a reason to retaliate and further repress all civil rights activists. It was around this time when Malcolm X made his pilgrimage to Mecca. It was here, for the first time in his life, he saw whites and blacks living peacefully together.

Some common words found in the essay are:
African Americans, African American, Nation Islam, Lancing Michigan, King Jr, Mosque Inc, Alex Haley, Northern Atlantic, Autobiography Malcolm, Malcolm X's, african americans, civil rights, nation islam, civil rights movement, rights movement, african american, autobiography malcolm, african american community, american community, nelson 337, civil war, shoeshine boy, 400 40000 nelson, you've realistic nigger, 40000 nelson 337,
Approximate Word count = 2601
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)