Cody's Malcolm X Post

This reading was actually my first experience reading material by Malcolm X, and I must say, I quite liked it. His diction was engrossing, his topics were interesting and very real, and, much like we discussed in class today, his ability to persuade through thesis driven argument was fantastic. He could back up everything he said with evidence from his reading and was very specific in his citation.

I found it very interesting that Malcolm X, much like Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass, used a new found literacy as a means of gaining freedom in a sense. When Malcolm X got his hands on a copy of the dictionary while confined to his cell, he used it as a springboard to explore entire worlds of new information. As Malcolm X said, “the ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive” (RA 217).

His dedication and engrossment with reading was particularly impressive to me: “Right outside my door was a corridor light that cast a glow into my room [after 'lights out']. The glow was enough to read by, once my eyes adjusted to it” (RA 213).

His unwavering dedication certainly paid off, as his knowledge grew by unbelievable bounds. I really enjoyed seeing how he related information from his reading into his battle against racism with real facts and vivid detail.

The final item that impressed me in this reading was his work ethic. I felt that I could take something from his incredible desire to further his education. As a new college student, I would love to have the drive to study for fifteen hours a day!