The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley (Overview)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley (Overview)

What do you know about Malcolm X? How did he rise to leadership? What legacy did he leave? The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley explains how Malcolm X rose from a life of poverty and crime to become a significant leader in the civil rights movement. It provides insights into his fascinating life and explores how his beliefs changed over time. Continue reading for an overview of The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Malcolm X’s Mother: Lessons From the Life of Louise Little

Malcolm X’s Mother: Lessons From the Life of Louise Little

Who was Malcolm X’s mother? What role did she play in his life? What can her life teach us today? Though she looked white, Louise Little was a multiracial woman who was married to a Black man in the first half of the 20th century. Malcolm X writes about how his mother endured the tragic death of her husband, struggled to find work during the Great Depression, and ultimately lost access to her children. Read more to learn about the life of Malcolm X’s mother and what it reveals about the era she lived in.

Malcolm X in Boston: Shorty, the Ghetto, & the Road to Prison

Malcolm X in Boston: Shorty, the Ghetto, & the Road to Prison

Why was Malcolm X drawn to Boston? What did he learn about society there? How did he end up in prison? In Malcolm X’s autobiography, he details his early life and why he chose to move to Boston when he was a teenager. While there, he got a firsthand view of both sides of the coin of Black culture—and one side in particular drew him in. Keep reading to learn about Malcolm X in Boston.

Malcolm X in Harlem: Hustling, Drugs, & the Struggle to Survive

Malcolm X in Harlem: Hustling, Drugs, & the Struggle to Survive

Why did Malcolm X move to Harlem? How did he get pulled into the underground crime scene? The Autobiography of Malcolm X chronicles the time Malcolm X spent in Harlem from 1943 to 1945. As a young man in his late teens, Malcolm X got drawn in by a rough crowd on the tough streets of New York City, and he entered adulthood by sliding into a life of crime. Continue reading to learn about Malcolm X in Harlem.

Malcolm X’s Crimes: From Stealing Food to Burglarizing Homes

Malcolm X’s Crimes: From Stealing Food to Burglarizing Homes

When did Malcolm X start breaking the law, and why? What kind of crimes did he commit? Malcolm X had a rough introduction to the world. He felt the pressure of society pushing him down, and he fought back by doing what he thought he needed to do to survive. When he was a kid, he stole food to eat. As he entered adulthood, he got busted for his involvement in a burglary ring. Read more to learn about Malcolm X’s criminal activities as chronicled in his autobiography.

The Autobiography of Malcolm Little: Malcolm X’s Early Life

The Autobiography of Malcolm Little: Malcolm X’s Early Life

Why did Malcolm X’s family move frequently when he was a child? What was his experience in school like? How did he get involved in criminal activity? Malcolm X believed that the racism he experienced throughout his childhood to adolescence determined the path he would take as an adult. Racist violence and structural inequality destabilized and discouraged a young Malcolm X—and ultimately led him to spend time in prison. Read more to learn about Malcolm X’s early life, based on his autobiography.

Malcolm X in Prison: How He Went From Burglar to Believer

Malcolm X in Prison: How He Went From Burglar to Believer

Why was Malcolm X in prison? How did his life change dramatically when he was incarcerated? Malcolm X’s childhood was steeped in adversity, and it didn’t take long for him to turn to crime. When he was just 20 years old, he was sent to prison after being convicted on burglary charges in Boston. Six years later, he emerged a different man than he was when he went in. Keep reading to learn about Malcolm X in prison, as presented in his autobiography.

Why Did Malcolm X Change His Name—Twice?

Why Did Malcolm X Change His Name—Twice?

Why did Malcolm X change his name? What do his name changes tell us about his life? You might know him only as Malcolm X. But, that wasn’t his original name, nor was it his name at the time of his death. The fact is that Malcolm X changed his name twice in his lifetime, and the reasons reflect his evolving beliefs and experiences. Read more to learn why Malcolm X changed his name, as presented in his autobiography.

Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam: The Rise & Fall of an Alliance

Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam: The Rise & Fall of an Alliance

What’s the Nation of Islam? Why did Malcolm X join it, and how did it impact his life? When he was in prison, Malcolm X embraced the Nation of Islam. It changed his life for the better in many ways, culminating in the beginning of his civil rights career. But, the partnership didn’t last, and Malcolm X eventually went his own way. Continue reading to learn the history of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam.

How Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad Became Enemies

How Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad Became Enemies

How did Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad become allies? Why did they later become enemies? What changed? Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam when he was in prison in his early 20s. Elijah Muhammad was the leader of the movement at the time, having succeeded founder W. D. Fard. What began as an alliance between Malcolm X and Muhammad eventually turned into a bitter division between these two leaders. Read more to learn about the relationship between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad.