Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X on the Power of Reading
Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X on the Power of Reading Although Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery and Malcolm X’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X begin in completely different circumstances, they both describe the power of knowledge. Washington starts life in the extreme deprivation of slavery. He clearly mentions that he was born “in the midst of the most miserable, desolate, and discouraging surroundings” (page 1). Alongside that, Washington grew up with limited knowledge about his own roots and knew nothing beyond the few whispered conversations in the slave quarters. On the other hand, Malcolm X begins in a different kind of hardship. He speaks of himself as an “incurable hustler” whose time in prison created a deep sense of isolation and intellectual growth. Hence, he realized that his lack of reading prior to prison caused him to be deficient in the basic knowledge he needed to defend himself and speak for the community. As they begin their reading journeys, both me...