Malcolm X (1925-65), born Malcolm Little in Omaha, and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, lost both his parents at a young age. Vilified by his critics as an anti-white demagogue, Malcolm X gave a voice to unheard African-Americans, bringing them pride, hope and fearlessness, and remains an inspirational and controversial figure. This autobiography (written with Alex Haley) reveals his quick-witted integrity, usually obscured by batteries of frenzied headlines, and the fierce idealism which led him to reject both liberal hypocrisies and black racialism.

As their spokesman he became identified in the white press as a terrifying teacher of race hatred but to his direct audience, the oppressed American blacks, he brought hope and self-respect. Amen.Malcolm X’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X was written in collaboration with Alex Haley, author of Roots, and includes an introduction by Paul Gilroy, author of The Black Atlantic, in Penguin Modern Classics.įrom hustling, drug addiction and armed violence in America’s black ghettos Malcolm X turned, in a dramatic prison conversion, to the puritanical fervour of the Black Muslims. l'm proving to you that Jesus was *not*, and I quote one of my lndian brothers here, he was not a paleface. There's proof in the very Bible that you've asked us to read in Revelations, first chapter, verses 14 and 15, that Jesus had hair like wool and feet the color of brass.Ĭhaplain Gill: Just - just what're you saying? The honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches us that the images of Jesus that are on prison walls and churches throughout the world are not historically correct because, history teaches us that Jesus was born in a region where the people had color. The honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches us that Jesus did not have blond hair and blue eyes. Malcolm X: is obvious, but we don't know if it's obvious that God is white. Malcolm X: Then you can't believe for certain - that Jesus was white.Ĭhaplain Gill: Just - just a moment. Malcolm X: What color were the original Hebrews?Ĭhaplain Gill: I have told you - that we don't know that for certain. Jesus was also a Hebrew.Ĭhaplain Gill: Why don't you just ask your question. Malcolm X: But they were Hebrews, were they not? What color were they?Ĭhaplain Gill: Well, I don't think we know that for certain. Malcolm X: We were discussing the disciples.

The autobiography of malcolm x online