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Frederick Douglass And Malcolm X's Struggle For Knowledge

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Many people know what it’s like to have a thirst for knowledge, but with that knowledge comes insight and emotions. Although the struggle to gain knowledge differs from person to person what we do with this knowledge is on us as people. Both Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X write about their thirst for knowledge and the emotions that come along with that knowledge, but Frederick Douglass’s essay was more successful because he had to struggle more to gain his knowledge and his motivation to learn is inspiring. Malcolm X’s struggle to gain knowledge was put upon him by himself because he made the wrong choices early on in life and had to deal with them. At a young age, Malcolm X chose to run the streets, hustle, and commit crimes. …show more content…

As soon as Frederick Douglass began to read he began to understand the world around him. This is when he soon realizes what a slave means. Being a slave and just finding out that you were going to be a slave for life would be devastating for anyone. For Frederick Douglass, it was the same, devastating. He describes that the more knowledge he gained about his situation on slavery the more he went into depression. “I often found myself regretting my own existence and wishing myself dead.” (pg132) He also goes on talking about loathing and having envy towards the other slaves for being so ignorant, “I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast” (pg132) all these …show more content…

His motivation was freedom. Witch hit home with me because I have had to fight for my freedom. Furthermore, all Frederick Douglass’s raw, heartfelt emotions are justified, for he was born a slave. He didn’t get to make that choice. All the choices Frederick Douglass did make were for his ultimate goal his freedom. While Malcolm X’s goal is to be smarter than the man next to him and battle the white man. And yes, they went on to meet their

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