Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

16 reviews

stephhamp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

I read this book once a year if i can. Every time i read it, I find something new to discover, learn, or relate to. That is a sign of an incredible book. I’m floored with every read how relevant and timeless Malcom X’s philosophies are. Much of what he thought of America’s race priblem is still relevant to the current struggles black Americans still face. Whil I don’t agree with everything that is written, particularly his thoughts about women and love, I still find myself connected to much of what Malcom X feels and thought during his time. I highly recommend everyone read, then re-read this book

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Police brutality, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness

fjordpingvin's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Drug abuse, Hate crime, Slavery, Addiction, and Death

Minor: Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Police brutality

lauren_shilling's review against another edition

dark informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Addiction, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence

Moderate: Hate crime and Misogyny

asen123's review against another edition

I might finish it when I’m a bit older. I really wanted to like it, but it was too intense for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Racism, Murder, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Classism, Alcoholism, Addiction, Misogyny, Violence, and Police brutality

akvolcano's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

I have never known much about Malcom X. Everything that was spoken about him was brief and told from a white person who painted him as a villain, not as a human. I loved being able to read about him from his own words. I’ve learned about his life, work, and legacy. He did so much for Black people. And It is so important for his story to be told, for this book to be read. Read the whole book-cover to cover. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Islamophobia, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Hate crime, Antisemitism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Classism, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Vomit

afroheaux's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Growing up, I had this vision of Malcolm X as a troublemaker who did nothing but run his mouth and preach black supremacy. I knew he was violent. I couldn’t recall a single violent thing that he did, but I knew he was violent. Once I started learning true history as an African American Studies minor, I began to learn everything I knew was wrong. This book showed me how wrong I was. 

Although Malcolm isn’t as perfect as I thought he would be, his takes are more nuanced, informed, and at many times, prophetic than I ever knew. After being in an Islamic cult, his politics about women (amongst other topics) weren’t going to be perfect and I understand that. The lessons from his life and relentless activism is what I take from this. I’m so grateful he shared himself with us and I’m so sad that he wasn’t able to continue his work. I hope his family gets justice eventually. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Violence

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexism, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Violence

Minor: Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy

menomica's review against another edition

informative reflective tense slow-paced

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 in 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.

This book was. Dense. And a lot. But it did what it was supposed to do. Give an insight on the mind of Malcom X. Honestly, he’s pretty cool, when he’s not talking about women, or jewish people (dear god was that man antisemitic). 

I also really loved how the book helped to give insight on the ideals of race and civil rights at the time. Seeing how multiple civil rights movements worked together and also how they disagreed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Antisemitism, and Racism

Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Gun violence and War

annadrinksmilk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

4.75

.25 off only for sexism & antisemitism, everything else it phenomenal 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Mental illness

michaelion's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

Aside from the early 1900s slang, I would consider this a contemporary autobiography. Everything said in this book 57 years ago could have been said by someone yesterday. You don't have to look real hard to see things really have not changed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Classism, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Slavery, Ableism, Bullying, Cursing, and Death of parent

Minor: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Rape