Malcolm X Transformation

We had discussed in class the necessity of Mr.X to become educated. We were fifty or so pages in the book, but the problem was apparent; this man had anger that was unbridled and spiteful. We came to agreement that education would benefit Malcolm X. Naively we laid out the correct path for Malcolm X to take on his journey to leadership. Now, having read a much greater portion of the book, I see that Malcolm X has done what we wanted him to. This is not a coincidence, it is the acknowledgement by both parties, our class and Malcolm X, that he needed to become as educated as his mind would let him. We both understood the capabilities of his mind. We both understood his limitations. 

In prison he reforms. His case should be one of celebration for the penitentiary system, introducing him to a new lifestyle, one which would be culturally considered a vast improvement. He begins his route en becoming an educated man. As Artem Potemkin writes "He got mad at himself for being so inadequate that he could not write a cohesive letter in reply to Elijah Muhammad", but this fury is greater than being unable to respond well to a letter. It is what both my class and Malcolm realized, turning us both to frustration; he is smart and just has made the wrong choices. The Nation of Islam, manifests as a solution and goal for Malcolm. Providing him initially with small goals like becoming literate to the point of writing a legible letter and living a lifestyle which is conducive to learning, The Nation quickly spackles the holes which lead to Mr. X's less than fulfilling existence. 


This explains his dedication and complete worship of Mr. Muhammad and The Nation. Together, they acted as a savior to Malcolm in what looks to be like historical-perfect timing. In prison he studies, more aggressively than one would consider "studious", copying the whole dictionary. This is insanity, but it makes sense. X is transforming, he is breaking down the shackles of years of wasted time and life. He has the determination that can only come from complete worship, which seems to happen often after a complete crumbling of one's previous lifestyle; Malcolm finally being arrested after running in fear of being caught for years. Always fear. Always death. Throughout the book he continues to evolve as a man and leader, learning, making other transformations, but arguably this is the most important. He completely changes himself, washing and erasing away habits that take people decades to destroy. He takes the initial leap that will ultimately bring him from black man to black leader.