Introduction: 1st draft (Wordcount: 534)

In Malcolm’s autobiography, he first goes about the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, which teach him to believe that the white man was the “devil,” and the enemy of the black men.  Mr. Muhammad’s teachings greatly stress how history has been “whitened” to the point that when white men had written history books, the black men are left out.  Malcolm begins to wonder the truth about the black man’s role, and as he serves his time in prison, he opens himself to stories of various nations that help him see how the whole world’s white men did, in fact, act like devils. “Book after book showed me how the white man had brought upon the world’s black, brown, red, and yellow peoples every variety of the sufferings of exploitation,” he says. (page 203)

            You would suppose that one of today’s greatest leaders has his/her mind set on a particular goal that they would like to accomplish, as well as one that they can stay dedicated to.  To be more precise, one would assume that if Malcolm were to become a successful leader, his beliefs towards religion and the white race shouldn’t alter drastically.  However, Malcolm’s beliefs change in chapter seventeen, after he visits the city of Mecca.  It’s strange that all it took to change his mind was to see how the Muslim world wasn’t affected by race.  They were all kind to one another.  Malcolm starts to understand that these white men were completely different from those who lived in America.  He explains that his new Muslim friends accept him like a brother.  “Love, humility, and true brotherhood was almost a physical feeling wherever I turned.” (page 374)  For that reason, if we assume that a modern-day leader has his/her mind set on one particular goal to accomplish for their group of people, but Malcolm seems to have a sudden change in his belief, then how well would he do as a leader?  This may help us understand whether his new ideas towards the white men are a sign of him being conscious of the world he lives in, or that he can't stick to one belief.

            One way to consider this is that Malcolm is very aware of what's happening around him, and decides to "dig deep" to uncover what isn't known about the black man's role.  He explores through Will Durant’s Story of Civilization, which opens him to the early Negro struggles for freedom.  In addition, after reading about slavery’s total horror, Malcolm is in complete shock of what the suffering slaves have went through in the United States.  “Over 115 million African blacks—close to the 1930’s population of the United States—were murdered or enslaved during the slave trade.” (page 204)  Lastly, he isn’t afraid to tell the public what he believes should be known, with such eagerness and pride.  Malcolm breaks one of Elijah Muhammad’s orders.  “Every minister was ordered to make no remarks at all concerning the assassination.” (page 346)  Breaking this command, he decides to speak his mind and say what he honestly felt.  Therefore, through Malcolm’s attitude, many may believe that since he takes control, he would become a thriving leader.