Essay on Exploring the Autobiography of Malcom X - 1068 Words

We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary. These words were spoken by Malcolm X, a civil rights leader and political activist. He is also the main character, narrator, and author of the Autobiography of Malcolm X. The autobiography takes place in various cities in the United States, such as Omaha, New York, and Detroit, as well as the Middle East, and Africa. Considering the type of literature this is, it is obvious to state that Malcolm X is the main character. Malcolm X, as a child, was intelligent and popular amongst his friends. He had†¦show more content†¦She was conceived with Malcolm when she was raped by a white man who she never knew, and stayed at home to cook and clean, despite being able to find work by passing as a white woman due to her fair skin color. Malcolm was soon born, and 4 years later, the family moved to Lansing, Michigan, in 1929. Their house was burned down by the KKK, and Malcolm had witnessed it. He said that it taught him one of many things he was soon to learn about being black in America. The next year, a group of white men who are in opposition of his fathers work kill him. The insurance company refuses to cover the familys losses, because they ruled his death as a suicide. Malcolms mother is soon sent to a mental hospital, and he went to stay with a white foster family. Before long, Malcolm drops out of high school, and goes to Boston and New York, where he hustled, and was soon arrested. It was in prison where Malcolm educated himself, and learned of Elijah Muhammad, and his organization: the Nation of Islam. Malcolm is fascinated by the teachings of the group, and has great respect for them and Muhammad. He then converted religions, and, once out of prison, became a Minister in the NOI. It was Muhammad who gave Malcolm the legendary X, in place of Little, which was his slave name. Malcolm preached his beliefs, and was soon known for his speeches against the white man, on blackShow MoreRelatedMaya Angelou Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pagesalso acts as a spokesperson for black pride and heritage (St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture). Although she speaks for people of color, her messages of hope and strength appeal to people of all ages and races. Angelou is best known for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in which she recalls herself as a young African American girl finding self-confidence in a highly prejudice world.   Maya Angelou’s work should still be taught in schools today because of her focus on civil rights