Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, Malcolm X

19 reviews

applesaucecreachur's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

If there was ever an electric revolutionary, it was Malcolm X. In this autobiography, he and Alex Haley have compiled his life into a riveting story. Having grown from a wounded and mischievous young boy to a prolific hustler (and lindy-hopper), to a scholar in lockup, to one of the most skilled orators and well-known revolutionaries of his time, Malcolm was no stranger to transformation. Through the foreword by his daughter Attallah, the Epilogue by Alex Hayley, and a gripping note by Ossie Davis, his story continues beyond 1965 and the Audubon Ballroom. The reader gets to glimpse not only how Malcolm's legacy began to unfold in the months following his death, but also how the man was behind the scenes with those who knew him personally. 

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

Insightful and extremely relevant even still today

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Content Warnings

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

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

“I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda… I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” Malcolm X

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content

Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use

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

fjordpingvin's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

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

dark informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

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

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, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

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

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, Violence, and Death of parent

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism

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

Minor: Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy