“And if I can die having brought any life, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America-then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine” (Page 389). The quote from The Autobiography of Malcolm X is the epitome of Malcolm X’s transformation into a conscientious activist shortly before his death. Malcolm X is trying to tell society that it can change from their racist, cancerous ways. Malcolm X’s transformation occurs through three key events and experiences that revolve around the central idea of systemic oppression. Malcolm’s childhood was one of great turbulence, from his father getting murdered by the Klu Klux Klan to being separated from his remaining family. Malcolm then moved into a white foster home with the Swerlins. As the only African American in Mason Junior High, he was elected to be class president. When there was a discussion of future careers the students wanted to have, Malcolm stated he wanted to become a lawyer. Mr. Ostrowski, his English tacher, laughed and said, “Malcolm, one of life’s first needs is for you to be realistic…but you’ve got to be realistic about being a nigger” (Pages 37-38) Mr. Ostrowski supported the other career goals the other students have who were less intelligent than Malcolm, however told Malcolm to become a carpenter. At the time Malcolm had been oblivious to what was truly going around him. He knew his father was murdered by the KKK and had somewhat of a negative view towards whites, but he thought Mr. Ostroswki was different. Talking to Mr. Ostrowski changed how Malcolm started to view his life. From that moment Malcolm realized how the world actually perceived African Americans. Malcolm realized that whites do not view African Americans as equal and have always looked down on them regardless of how intelligent they might be. Evidence from this scene show the systemic oppression Malcolm had to face at a very young age.
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The systemic oppression Malcolm faced with the incident with Mr. Ostrowski’s ostracizing comment made him lose his identity and confidence. Malcolm noticed how society discouraged the African American community just as they discouraged him from pursing his dreams to become a lawyer. Malcolm could not escape the racial prejudice and systemic oppression he faced in Lansing, which caused him to move to Boston with his half sister Ella. He needed to help himself when he realized no one else would. At that moment the bright young man developed into a rebellious and impulsive teenager. Boston was a different atmosphere compared to Lansing. Malcolm quickly noticed the difference between the African Americans back home and the ones from Boston; by the way the city mob acted. He met Shorty, who later becomes one of his closest friends. Malcolm became acquainted with Sofia, a white prostitute. Malcolm starts to hang out with the wrong group of people; which led him to become a hustler, where he smoked and did drugs. Later during this time period, Malcolm gets caught after robbing a house with Shorty, Sofia and her sister. Once they get caught, Malcolm and Shorty get punished for sleeping with white women Shorty and Malcolm get sentenced to prison for 10 years. Even as a hustler Malcolm noticed systemic oppression African Americans had to face. Malcolm went to prison because society had felt he was influencing white woman instead of …show more content…
Malcolm’s character is developed to what we now idolize today because of the hardships and experiences he faced. If Malcolm X had never faced these hardships, then he never would became an influential person in society. Systemic oppression was one of the reasons why Malcolm was the way he was. If it was not for him noticing the oppression the African community was facing he could have been dead at an early age, become a terrible criminal or he might have even gotten a chance to pursue his dreams of becoming a lawyer. Malcolm hoped that through his teachings and experiences people would change for the future to come. He wanted to leave as being optimistic and sensitive, just as he said in his quote. He acknowledged his mistakes and is trying to show people they can change just as he did and wanted people to understand his
The systemic oppression Malcolm faced with the incident with Mr. Ostrowski’s ostracizing comment made him lose his identity and confidence. Malcolm noticed how society discouraged the African American community just as they discouraged him from pursing his dreams to become a lawyer. Malcolm could not escape the racial prejudice and systemic oppression he faced in Lansing, which caused him to move to Boston with his half sister Ella. He needed to help himself when he realized no one else would. At that moment the bright young man developed into a rebellious and impulsive teenager. Boston was a different atmosphere compared to Lansing. Malcolm quickly noticed the difference between the African Americans back home and the ones from Boston; by the way the city mob acted. He met Shorty, who later becomes one of his closest friends. Malcolm became acquainted with Sofia, a white prostitute. Malcolm starts to hang out with the wrong group of people; which led him to become a hustler, where he smoked and did drugs. Later during this time period, Malcolm gets caught after robbing a house with Shorty, Sofia and her sister. Once they get caught, Malcolm and Shorty get punished for sleeping with white women Shorty and Malcolm get sentenced to prison for 10 years. Even as a hustler Malcolm noticed systemic oppression African Americans had to face. Malcolm went to prison because society had felt he was influencing white woman instead of …show more content…
Malcolm’s character is developed to what we now idolize today because of the hardships and experiences he faced. If Malcolm X had never faced these hardships, then he never would became an influential person in society. Systemic oppression was one of the reasons why Malcolm was the way he was. If it was not for him noticing the oppression the African community was facing he could have been dead at an early age, become a terrible criminal or he might have even gotten a chance to pursue his dreams of becoming a lawyer. Malcolm hoped that through his teachings and experiences people would change for the future to come. He wanted to leave as being optimistic and sensitive, just as he said in his quote. He acknowledged his mistakes and is trying to show people they can change just as he did and wanted people to understand his