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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A COURAGEOUS DEBUT, May 27, 2002
I commend Ilyasah Shabazz for her courage to publish her memoirs in Growing Up X. It is clearly an act of bravery for anyone to share intimate thoughts with the world. I found it surprising that she led a rather normal, non-eventful life in Mt Vernon, New York because I, like many others, perceived her (and her sisters) as the legacy of two remarkable parents-thus making her destined to supercede their combined greatness. Naturally, this is an unfair and often cruel expectation to place on children of infamous parents and Ilyasah shared how her mother worked hard to shield and protect them from the burden of proof. She also enlightens the reader by saying she often would not to tell people of her parentage when she first met them for just those reasons. The memoir, which is largely a tribute to her mother, chronicles Ilyasah's life from her father's death to her mother's death. She begins by mentioning the Little Family (her father's family) kept their distance in early years and how her immediate family was largely sustained by members of the local mosque, close friends, her mother's relatives, and high profile celebrities who showed her mother kindness and support in a time of need. Despite the generosities of others, it was her mother's resolve and personal sacrifices that kept the family together. She rehashes childhood memories of private school, summer camp, sisterhood bonding, and coming of age into adulthood. She speaks of her first kiss, her juvenile experiences with prejudice/racism, her loss of virginity from rape, the many career changes, and the loves of her life--one of which was an NBA player that she thought she might marry. These memories are simplistically and rather briefly written in a matter-of-factly type manner-almost like it's a series of flashbacks. The only exception is the heart-wrenching section where Ilyasah tells of her mother's battle for life after the fire set by Ilyasah's nephew, Malcolm, Quibillah's son. I felt her pain through the pages of the novel and my heart goes out to her family. With the exception of a few events, I found Ilyasah's life to be quite ordinary and found myself wanting to learn more about the "holes" in the novel. For example, she mentions that she never had visited her father's gravesite until she was an adult in college. In fact, she did not know the gravesite's location upon arriving at the cemetery and just wandered around until she found it. I suppose I wanted to know why they never visited his grave as a family unit, even for Father's Day (considering all attempts made by her mother for a 'normal' mainstreamed life). The only explanation offered was that it would be too painful for her mother. I found it equally extraordinary that her mother hires a home tutor to supplement their private school education ensuring they are properly and completely taught African history, Arabic, etc. but then Ilyasah admits to having to learn of her father's political ideologies, beliefs, and struggles by taking a humanities class on Malcolm X in college. It is only then that she comes to truly appreciate and comprehend his influence and effect on society. Surely since her father has his honorable place in American history, it almost seemed almost like an injustice to neglect this part of her heritage for so long. Despite what this reader thinks, I am sure Mrs. Shabazz, or "Mommy" as she is referred to throughout the book, had her reasons. I am not second-guessing her [Mrs. Shabazz] judgment, just asking for clarification that is not readily apparent in the book. Ilyasah tries to explain by stating that her mother taught them that he [Malcolm] was "Daddy" at home, nothing more and nothing less, which is totally justified. I, too, was disappointed that the book concludes at Mrs. Shabazz's death because I ended up have more questions than when I started about Ilyasah and her family. I wanted to learn more about the Little family, Quibillah's FBI encounter (conspiracy to assassinate Louis Farrakhan), her sister's lives, and Malcom (the grandson). From my understanding Ilyasah is working on a second novel about her parents, perhaps my questions will be answered in the upcoming body of work. ...
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intimate, Up Close and Personal...Must Read!, May 29, 2002
In 235 pages, Ms. Shabazz takes the reader on a compelling and intimate journey that has not been revealed prior to this book. She shares her personal coming of age story. Some of the details released were extremely sensitive, yet I imagine a "healing" came from revealing them. She humbly discusses the priviledged life that she and her sisters had. This consisted of attending predominately white private schools, socializing with Hollywood stars, dating professional athletes, membership in Links, Jack and Jill of America, various housekeepers etc. Her life has been the total opposite of what I would have imagined it to be. In reference to her father (Malcolm X) she does not repeat his autobiography. Instead, she uses this area wisely to clear up some myths and misconceptions about him and his parents (The Littles). For example, Rev. Earl Little was a Baptist minister who helped organize the Marcus Garvey United Negro Improvement Association. Louise Norton Little spoke five languages, taught her children to sing the alphabet in French and was the recording secretary for the association that her husband helped organize. This information helped prove that Malcolm X was insightful, disciplined and educated by his parents and NOT Elijah Muhammad and The Nation. She says that Mr. Muhammad helped Malcolm X grow by clearing away some the negative seeds of discouragement planted by white school teachers in his youth which led to his petty crimes etc. She shares other insightful information that gives the reader more insight into the articulate and charming Malcolm from his youth. I was shocked to learn how old Ilyasah Shabazz was when she first visited her father's grave. Find out about Malcolm X's siblings that were a part of the Nation too. In reference to her mother (Dr. Betty Shabazz) this story shows how much she admired her mother. It is a moving tribute to both parents. Any struggling female single parent that reads this, can't help but gain inspiration and motivation to better themselves. Dr. Betty Shabazz's life shows determintaion to advance in education, rear well rounded children and be the keeper of her husband's legacy. I attended her Houston Book Signing. She was very humble. It was obvious that this book was a must for several reasons. She needed to shatter the myths and notions of what people assume a daughter of Malcolm X to be. As she read warmly from page 95...I glanced around the room and saw many smiling faces. She touched on a radio caller from earlier in the morning who all but demanded that she lend her name to support a racial situation that was brewing in a section of Houston. She firmly reiterated that she needs to fulfill her purpose in this life...not her father's. She promised that the book would clear up all the media myths surrounding her nephew that set the fire, which eventually claimed the life of Dr. Betty Shabazz. The book fell short of answering my questions about her nephew, but I can understand why she probably opted to approach that topic in her selected manner. At any rate, this book is a must read. Do some high school grads a favor and give them this book, along with The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Not only will they get a valuable history lesson, but they will walk away with the deep message that education is important...the key to financial security, independence etc...and unlike fame, favor, wealth...once acquired, it can't be taken away. Find out what Ms. Shabazz feels was her father's greatest gift to African Americans. Discover Malcolm X as a loving father who read poetry to his girls and a husband. See 16 pages of never seen before black and white photos from her personal collection. Take a peek into what is was actually like to grow up "X".
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read, May 20, 2002
GROWING UP X In reading the entertaining, exciting and painful narrative of Ilyasah Shabazz's coming of age, I could not help but admire the author's gift of insight into the extraordinary lives of Betty Shabazz and her precocious girls who grew up privileged, yet beneath the shadow of sorrow and a painful history. The author, speaking of incidents that occurred when she was two years old, admits: "I write all this as though I remember, which I do not"...(about) "that terrible, terrible day, I have learned from the Autobiography, from other written sources and from the painful recollections of friends." - Yet she weaves the eye witness accounts of persons such as Percy Sutton, Ossie Davis and famous others to bring her story to life, a story that becomes hers as she describes her growing up. She writes with candor and without apology. Each episode of joy, pain or sorrow is essential to her maturity: family life in a comfortable environment; being black in a white boarding school; college life; experiencing rape, a failed business venture, heartache, and a long hospital stay after an automobile accident. For readers not well cognizant of the lives of Betty Shabazz and Malcom X, the authors dynamic parents, or those readers whose only acquaintance stems from the media, the book reveals new depths, educates and makes the reader more discerning. The author's depiction of the love between her mother and herself, written with clarity, poignancy, and sadness - a compelling tribute to her mother - attest to a statement once made by Betty Shabazz, speaking of her pride in Ilyasah before The National Political Congress of Black Women: "On her own Ilyasah has learned about life and death." Ironically, a statement made in part, in reference to the death of Malcom X. I believe readers of this book will absorb more information about the personal life of Malcom X and his family than from any documentary, movie or biographical article. Long after I put the book down, this story remained with me.
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