Review: Malcolm X In His Own Words — Revisiting The Iconic Autobiography That Has Inspired Generations

“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley

“What makes the black man think of himself as only an internal United States issue is just a catch-phrase, two words, “civil rights.” How is the black man going to get “civil rights” before first he wins his human rights? If the black American man will start thinking about his human rights, and then start thinking of himself as part of one of the world’s greatest people, he will see he has a case for the United Nations.”

This powerful quote from Malcolm X in the autobiography co-authored by Black writer Alex Haley is a response to the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The document, which proclaimed universal equal basic human rights and dignity to all people in any society, was created by a post-World War II world struggling to grasp the atrocities one man could inflict on another. This autobiography addresses several of the abominable acts faced by African Americans throughout Malcolm X’s life.

“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was written over almost two years, from 1963 until his assassination in 1965. Haley conducted more than 50 interviews with the visionary and it was released eight months after his untimely death. The New York Times reported that by 1977 more than 6 million copies of the book had been sold since its release.

Malcolm X is one of the most prominent figures in African American and American Muslim history. He was a forceful, fearless, outspoken proponent of embracing Islam and embracing one’s true, black identity. Believing both points were separate, important facets of his life, he said, “No! We are black people here in America. Our religion is Islam. We are properly called ‘Muslims’!”  But that Black Muslim term never got dislodged.

So much has been written — and distorted — about Malcolm X and his life. That’s why reading about his life in his own words, through a writer he trusted, offers a profound understanding of who Malcolm X really was. He recognized those who he felt had a significant impact on his life, whether it was his half-sister Ella or the Nation of Islam’s former leader Elijah Muhammad. He also gave an incredibly in-depth look into his childhood and early adult life, “hustling,” and doing what he needed to in order to survive. 

“So early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.”

And he certainly did.

The book is written in Malcolm X’s own signature style of speech and it's clear he is addressing the masses of black people he believes are blind and brainwashed by their “white masters.” He hopes they will listen to his words and see the light, and realize that the status quo must be challenged. While he accepts some people will struggle to do this, how he delivers his message leaves little room for interpretation. Malcolm X had always prided himself on being a direct, tell-it-like-it-is kind of person and that is exactly how he comes across in his autobiography. 

“What I am trying to say is that it just never dawned upon them that I could understand, that I wasn’t a pet, but a human being. They didn’t give me credit for having the same sensitivity, intellect, and understanding that they would have been ready and willing to recognize a white boy in my position. But it has historically been the case with white people, in their regard for black people, that even though we might be with them, we weren’t considered of them. Even though they appeared to have opened the door, it was still closed. Thus they never did really see me.”

Insights like this are conveyed in a format that feels conversational at times and essay-like at others. This unevenness doesn’t always make the book readable, especially when page after page expounds on a single narrative, the reader’s interest can wane. But what is most striking and does hold your attention is how often Malcolm X makes ominous predictions about his untimely assassination. On the very second page of the book, he makes this startling announcement: “It has always been my belief that I, too, will die by violence. I have done all that I can to be prepared.” This sets an almost eerie tone that lurks in the background of every page and may explain why his life was led at hurtling speed. 

What comes across so poignantly in this book is how much Malcolm X himself loved learning and expanding his knowledge. “I’m interested in almost any subject you can mention,” he said and admitted he never had a spare “fifteen minutes” because he was always reading, especially when he traveled. He loved languages and wanted to be “an accomplished linguist.” He was already studying Arabic, but was also keen on learning basic African dialects and  languages such as Chinese because he omnisciently predicted it was “the most powerful political language of the future.” He tells us how he would have liked to have been a lawyer because he “love[s] a good verbal battle.”

His untimely death at the age of just 39 and knowing he never had the chance to fulfill his aspirations fills you with a sense of tragedy. For a man who made bold and often controversial statements and has been the subject of so much debate over the years, towards the end of his life we see a change. Especially after his Hajj pilgrimage, we see a Malcolm X who is more at peace with himself and whose faith in Islam lends more humility to his outlook and his assessment of his own life.

“All of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.” 

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