From Oppresion to Empowerment

Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery and Malcolm X’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X both start out highlighting their respective hardships. Washington begins his story saying, “I was born a slave on a plantation in Virginia.” Following, he goes into further details in the early years of his life and retells the emotions experienced by other African American slaves during and after the emancipation. Born decades after Washington, Malcolm X describes his different but similar experiences beginning with "I grew up in a house attacked by the Klan." Malcolm looks back on his youth, narrating the terrors of the segregative systems that superseded slavery. Their stories show continual exploitation and injustice, but differ in interpretation due to different circumstances.

Despite the disparities, both Booker T. and Malcolm were heavily influenced by their curiosity and ferocity when it came to education and learning. Malcolm X transforms himself while in prison, spending most of his time reading books, acquiring knowledge, and states, "I had no idea how reading could change a man's life." Malcolm X's reasoning for reading was because of his illiteracy and desire to understand and spread the Nation of Islam's teachings. With Booker T. Washington, he retells his story of going to night classes at the Hampton Institute. Washington faced obstacles when attempting to go to the school but stated, "I resolved to let no obstacle prevent me from going to Hampton." For Book, learning was for discipline and shaping his character.

These differences in educational experiences had a profound effect on shaping the viewpoints of racial progress between the two men. Booker T. fought for cooperation and economic equality. Washington argued for gradual progressions, desiring his fellow African Americans to display patience and respect. Malcolm X, who wrote his works much later, opting for a more powerful and self-prideful approach. Malcolm urged blacks to show determination and resilience when faced with the white supremacist regime. The distinction in their methods to combat racism highlights the effect different time periods and who they were aligned with had on them.

 Despite the differences Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X both transformed and greatly aided in progressing black people’s rights. Both men preached certain virtues and values like perseverance, strength, and courage to reach equality and justice. Up from the Slavery and The Autobiography of Malcolm X shows how the thoughts of acquiring freedom changed over time.