Before They Were Activists, They Were Readers: An Analysis of the Autobiographies of Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X
Though published 64 years apart, the autobiographies of Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X share remarkable similarities. Up From Slavery and The Autobiography of Malcolm X serve as extensions of the activism their subjects devoted their lives to spreading, aiming to lead by example and empower Black audiences. Both authors share stories of their extraordinary devotion to education and reading, of their climb up from the lowest of lows. However, between the two autobiographies exist nuances to how and why they share these stories. Booker T. Washington, in Chapter II (Boyhood Days), recalls his stubborn desire to attend school in Kanawha Valley: “my boyish heart was still set upon going to the day-school, and I let no opportunity slip to push my case … There was never a time in my youth, no matter how dark and discouraging the days might be, when one resolve did not continually remain with me, and that was a determination to secure an education at any cost.” When he surpassed the kno...