Malcolm X for Beginners

Malcolm X is one of the greatest African-American leaders to ever have lived. Since his murder in 1965, Malcolm's legacy - and uncompromising commitment to securing power "by any means necessary" - has flourished in the face of time and revisionist history. And as each new generation comes of age, the power of his life and ideas are discovered anew. Malcolm stood on the other front - the front prepared to fight the powers that be, the powers that refused to recognize him as a Man. Through the brilliance of his orations and the strength and integrity of his character, he placed before the eyes of Black people the truth about their lives in the United States. As his good friend and eulogizer Ossie Davis stated, "Malcolm was a revolutionary in that he understood the power structure in the country and knew it could not be depended upon to do justice to Black people." Malcolm X For Beginners introduces the reader to Malcolm's story with bold images that evoke all the poignancy of Malcolm's struggle, the Blacks who struggled with him, and all those who continue to struggle with issues he challenged two decades ago.

Since his assassination 27 years ago, Malcolm X's legacy as one of the greatest African-American leaders has survived. In time for the release of Spike Lee's long-awaited movie biography this fall, Bernard Aquina Doctor provides insight into Malcolm X's life and work for people unfamiliar with the range and depth of his ideas. Illustrated.