Challenging the racial status quo in America could get you killed during the 1960s. Among the martyrs who died trying to change society was Malcolm X. The slim volume by Matt Doeden, A Marked Man: The Assassination of Malcom X, documents the transformation of Malcolm Little, street hustler, into Malcolm X, a “marked man.”
Doeden sets Malcolm’s story in the context of the broader Black American narrative of racism, slavery, and racism after slavery, Jim Crow segregation. As important to Malcolm X’s biography is Malcolm Little’s conviction for burglary and sentencing to prison. There he learns about and is attracted to the teachings of Elijah Mohammad and his Nation of Islam (NOI), a combination of self-discipline and a virulent racism toward whites.
Converting to Islam, Little, emerges from prison in 1952 with a greater sense of purpose and starts life anew as Malcolm X. He quickly established himself as an effective spokesman for the NOI, inspiring blacks who listen to him speak and frightening some whites who note his depiction of them as “white devils.”
Going on a haj to Saudi Arabia, Malcolm is emotionally moved by the multi-ethnic and social nature of Islam. He returns from this road to Mecca experience understanding that “all men are brothers.” This puts him on a collision course with Elijah Mohammed and the NOI which leads to his striking out on his own mission.
Doeden cover this story quickly, but effectively. With an outstanding set of pictures and select quotes the author captures the complicated rise of Malcolm X.
The final third of the book is about Malcolm’s assassination which he evocatively captures in detail, picture, quotes, and prose. Doeden also does an outstanding job separating what we know and what we don’t know, in particular, who ordered the Malcolm’s murder.
A handy chronology about Malcolm’s life and a final “Where Are They Now” section about the major players in the story round out this satisfying volume.
(Submitted by the Washington State Civics Educator of the Year, Ed Bergh)