The Word: The Liberation Analects of Malcolm X

by Robert Jabara

151 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

Reviews

[Daniel Duval · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading because it’s mostly the interpretations and opinions of the author’s analyzing of Malcolm X’s ideas. There is not enough of actual quotes and speeches from Malcolm X in the book. I also feel that much of it is thinly veiled theories of socialism using racial independence as a vehicle. I found it confusing trying to figure out if it was making the argument for segregation or assimilation of minorities in the greater nation state cultures which they live. It was written long after his death and I wonder if he would have even been of the same temperament to have endorsed it had he lived. My take is that he was beginning to change is way of looking at things just before he was killed and I don’t believe the book takes that into account. At any rate I did find it interesting except for the last two chapters written by think tank types. They were hard to follow and wordy .