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applesaucecreachur's review against another edition
4.75
Similar to my review of Revolutionary Suicide, I cannot give this autobiography a full five stars for its omission of Black women as co-victims of racism and equally vital conspirators in Black liberation. Of course, Malcolm was a product both of his time and his Muslim faith, the latter of which I particularly cannot speak to. And despite his sometimes-derogatory references to women as a group, he held individual women in high regard – namely his mother, his half-sister Ella, and his wife, Betty Shabazz. I know from other accounts, too, that his view of gender was undergoing its own transformation towards the end of his life. It's a shame that this was not more prominent in his autobiography.
Malcolm X was as complex as he was (and still is) misunderstood. In the wake of what would have been his 99th birthday, and the wake of Betty's 90th or 88th, I have to wonder what these two and their loved ones would make of the world they've left to us.
Graphic: Addiction, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement
ceci_cc's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
writingcaia's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for all humanity, most of all Afro-American, and also, white Americans. A true account and analysis of his own life, we have one of the most candid autobiographies I’ve ever read. From poverty, racism, crime, prison, to American Islam, proper Islam, speaking with leaders of African, Arabic and Asian countries, professing in universities even when he himself, regretfully didn’t have the opportunity to study further. Aside from the very conservative and misogynistic views on women, I found this book profoundly enriching and, unfortunately, actual. I do believe if he had lived to see the second wave of feminism he would have changed his views on women’s roles. There’s so much more to say, conclusions to take from, but I for that you must read it yourself. What a powerful, strong minded, intelligent, eloquent man he was, may his words last.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
bambicat234's review against another edition
5.0
Everything he says here is relevant today in some way or another.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Racism, and Antisemitism
hiddeninbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Islamophobia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
stephhamp's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
sagelikesscats's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Antisemitism
Minor: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Lesbophobia
fjordpingvin's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, and Slavery
Minor: Mental illness, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Hate crime and Misogyny
calais_'s review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Xenophobia, and Police brutality