The Autobiography of Malcolm X

by Malcolm X

He said that the Negro had been trained to dissemble and conceal his real thoughts, as a matter of survival.

Malcolm had purged himself of all the ills that afflict the depressed Negro mass: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, not to speak of criminal pursuits.

Malcolm’s attitude toward the white man underwent a marked change in 1964—a change that contributed to his break with Elijah Muhammad and his racist doctrines.

The teaching of Marcus Garvey stressed becoming independent of the white man.

Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight.

My grades were among the highest in the school.

I felt more relaxed among Negroes who were being their natural selves and not putting on airs.