The autobiography of Malcolm X tells the life story of Malcolm X, a black male that grew up a troubled teen turned criminal to become a renowned and controversial speaker. Born Malcolm Little in Lansing, Michigan he transformed from a misbehaving boy in school to a man who gave hope to black people. The book starts with Malcolm telling about his childhood. Malcolm's childhood was grim and thus set the tone of the entire book. He introduces readers to his father who was an anti-white, baptist preacher. Malcolm chastised his father's bigoted ways, but at the same time admired him. He admired how his father spoke out against the white man's oppressions and tyranny over blacks, he wasn't an "Uncle Tom1". Pastor Little`s life came to an end when KKK members captured, tortured and mutilated him. He died two and a half hours after the vicious attack. Malcolm's mother slowly went insane after the demise of her husband. Malcolm and his seven siblings were then separated, forced to live with different families. This transpired when Malcolm was only 6. When he was 13, he got kicked out of school because of his constant misbehavior. He decided to move with his older half sister, Ella, in Boston, MA. This was Malcolm's first major decision he has ever made and things changed for Malcolm when he moved to Boston. Malcolm appreciated the culture that the city offered like the life in which black people had. It differed from the oppressed Uncle Toms living in Lansing. Unfortunately, however, he started to get into a life of crime. He started pimping, drug using , drug selling,and stealing. His attitude changed from this move he made. Malcolm worked for a railroad company where he would visit New York City to party in nightclubs. He describes Harlem lifestyle vividly. .
His nickname was Detroit Red which came from his hair because he had it conked and getting it conked means putting red dye in the hair.