What's Up With the Ending? - Analysis, The Autobiography Of Malcolm X | The Autobiography of Malcolm X -Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

You watch. I will be labeled as, at best, an "irresponsible" black man. I have always felt about this accusation that the black "leader" whom white men consider to be "responsible" is invariably the black "leader" who never gets any results. You only get action as a black man if you are regarded by the white man as "irresponsible." In fact, this much I had learned when I was just a little boy. And since I have been some kind of a "leader" of black people here in the racist society of America, I have been more reassured each time the white man resisted me, or attacked me harder—because each time made me more certain that I was on the right track in the American black man's best interests. The racist white man's opposition automatically made me know that I did offer the black man something worthwhile.

Yes, I have cherished my "demagogue" role. I know that societies often have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America—then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine. (19.94)

In the last two paragraphs of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the tone suddenly changes. Instead of telling a story, it appears that Malcolm X is talking directly to the reader. It gets kind of intense.

He predicts his own death and even what will happen after it. He says that he will be vilified as an irresponsible and violent black man who preached hatred. But he also says that being attacked like that is proof that he has done something right. The final lines express his hope that he has helped black people even a teeny tiny bit and praises Allah for everything that has gone right in his life.

Reading the book after his death, we are forced to think about his assassination when looking at these final moments. It's actually kind of creepy how correct his premonitions were. Many people still consider Malcolm X a violent, fringe, black nationalist leader. While he may not convince us that he's totally innocent, these words at least force us to reevaluate all of the things that we have been told about Malcolm X.

Even though it might seem insignificant, the very last line of the book has meaning too. By praising Allah for all of the things that have gone well, Malcolm both cements his dedication to Islam and reiterates his selflessness. While part of the reason he was kicked out of the Nation of Islam was because others thought he was self-important, even in his own autobiography he does not congratulate himself for his victories. And even though his religion has changed from the beliefs of the Nation of Islam, he obviously is still sincere in his devotion to Allah.