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15 Authors like Malcolm X

Malcolm X was an influential civil rights activist known for his powerful autobiography, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. His compelling speeches and writings inspired many by addressing racial issues and promoting empowerment and justice.

If you enjoy reading books by Malcolm X then you might also like the following authors:

  1. James Baldwin

    James Baldwin writes in a clear and unflinching style, exploring race, sexuality, and American society. Like Malcolm X, he challenges readers with direct and honest observations about injustice and inequality.

    His book The Fire Next Time combines personal essays with powerful social critique, confronting racial conflicts head-on.

  2. Eldridge Cleaver

    Eldridge Cleaver offers sharp, provocative critiques of race, politics, and society. His approach is intense and confrontational, pushing readers to examine difficult realities.

    In Soul on Ice, Cleaver blends memoir and political analysis, expressing anger and hope while dissecting America's racial crisis, similar to Malcolm X's bold honesty.

  3. Angela Y. Davis

    Angela Y. Davis addresses injustice and oppression through thoughtful political analysis and genuine passion for change. Her writing emphasizes activism and fighting systemic racism and inequality.

    In Women, Race & Class, Davis examines intersections of race, gender, and class struggles, offering powerful insights like Malcolm X's clear-eyed focus on social justice.

  4. Huey P. Newton

    Huey P. Newton's direct and accessible writing reflects his experiences as an activist and co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Like Malcolm X, he openly critiques racial oppression and advocates self-determination and community empowerment.

    His book Revolutionary Suicide vividly details his personal motivations, political beliefs, and persistent commitment to revolutionary change.

  5. Frantz Fanon

    Frantz Fanon confronts colonialism and racism through clear, incisive analysis. His strong voice challenges oppression and advocates revolutionary change and psychological liberation, echoing Malcolm X's calls for radical transformation.

    Fanon's work The Wretched of the Earth critically explores colonial violence and the necessity of resistance movements, offering readers deep insights into the psychology of revolution.

  6. W.E.B. Du Bois

    W.E.B. Du Bois was a foundational thinker who explored race, identity, and civil rights in clear and impactful prose. Like Malcolm X, Du Bois challenged readers to confront racism and injustice head-on.

    His key work, The Souls of Black Folk, combines sociology, autobiography, and history, offering readers deep reflections on African American identity and systemic racism in America.

  7. Ta-Nehisi Coates

    Ta-Nehisi Coates writes thoughtfully and personally about race, history, and inequality in America. His direct writing style and honest reflections on his experiences resonate with those who appreciate Malcolm X's fearless pursuit of truth.

    In his powerful book Between the World and Me, Coates addresses racial injustice and identity through a deeply personal letter to his son, revealing hard truths and meaningful insights.

  8. Assata Shakur

    Assata Shakur confronts oppression and injustice through candid storytelling and powerful political critique. She shares truths from firsthand experience, similar to Malcolm X's honest and uncompromising style.

    Her memoir, Assata: An Autobiography, recounts her journey as an activist, her unjust imprisonment, and subsequent escape, revealing the realities of racism and political struggle.

  9. Stokely Carmichael

    Stokely Carmichael was a passionate activist whose speeches and writings communicated themes of self-determination and empowerment for Black Americans. His straightforward, unapologetic style aligns closely with Malcolm X's powerful advocacy for racial justice.

    Carmichael’s notable work Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America outlines his vision for political and social transformation through collective action and self-confidence.

  10. Ibram X. Kendi

    Ibram X. Kendi's clear and accessible writing tackles complex ideas about racism and antiracism. He shares Malcolm X's commitment to critical self-examination and practical strategies for combating injustice.

    His influential book How to Be an Antiracist challenges readers to recognize their biases and actively work toward racial equity.

  11. Manning Marable

    Manning Marable was a historian deeply concerned with race, social justice, and civil rights in America.

    In his influential biography, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, Marable presents a fresh look at Malcolm's journey, challenging previous assumptions and offering new insights.

    If you appreciate Malcolm X's passion for truth and progressive analysis of racial politics, you'll find Marable's thoughtful approach engaging.

  12. Michelle Alexander

    Michelle Alexander is a powerful writer and thinker who explores systemic racism and mass incarceration in modern America.

    Her influential book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, unpacks how the criminal justice system perpetuates racial inequality.

    Readers who admire Malcolm X's unapologetic critique of American society will appreciate Alexander's clarity and commitment to justice.

  13. Cornel West

    Cornel West is an outspoken and thoughtful philosopher known for his passionate discussions on race, politics, and social justice. In Race Matters, West writes candidly about the lingering challenges of racial injustice and how we might collectively address them.

    If you enjoy Malcolm X's honest assessments of American society, West's thoughtful critiques and engaging style are likely to resonate with you.

  14. bell hooks

    bell hooks was a writer committed to exploring race, gender, and intersectionality in accessible ways. In her landmark work Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism, hooks highlights the overlooked experiences of Black women within both feminist movements and larger society.

    If Malcolm X's inclusive vision and advocacy for marginalized voices inspire you, then the insights and straightforward approach of bell hooks will speak strongly to you.

  15. Walter Rodney

    Walter Rodney was a historian who centered his work on historical inequality and exploitation, with a sharp analysis of race and colonialism.

    His widely respected book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, presents a clear and critical perspective on imperialism's lasting effects on African nations.

    For readers drawn to Malcolm X's global viewpoint and revolutionary spirit, Rodney's directness and in-depth insights will be rewarding.