The Suppression and Liberation of Malcolm’s Personal Agency: Malcolm X and His Religio-Racial Understanding of White People

Abstract

Although the canonical interpretation by scholars of the life and thought of Malcolm X suggest that he would experience a major shift in his views on race, this author contends that Malcolm’s post-Hajj declarations about the white race were his beliefs about white people all along. It is not denied that Malcolm himself assisted in the construction of his Hajj experience being understood as an epiphany moment in regard to his views on race. However, a postcolonial studies reading that aims to uncover the agency of subaltern subjects provides a lens for a critical look at his words and actions throughout his life and provides a different explanation. Engaging with Judith Weisenfeld’s religio-racial theory, it is argued that Malcolm conceded to the Nation of Islam’s beliefs about race through suppressing his personal beliefs because of his acceptance of the overall mission of the group.