Reclaiming Our Stories: Malcolm X, Black Identity, and the Power of Children's Literature

March is National Read-In Month, a time to celebrate the transformative power of literacy. Malcolm X famously said, "Education is our passport to the future." His own journey from criminal to intellectual leadership exemplifies the profound impact of literacy, particularly for Black communities. In The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, we learn that through the encouragement of Brother Baines in prison, Malcolm X was led to the library, where he devoured books on history, philosophy, and politics. This self-directed learning shaped his worldview, allowing him to see himself outside of the narrow, oppressive narratives imposed upon Black people. Today, this lesson remains as relevant as ever—particularly when it comes to the books available to our children.

Children's literature plays a critical role in the psychological development of Black youth. Seeing oneself reflected in stories fosters confidence, identity affirmation, and a sense of belonging. Yet, in an era when book bans are disproportionately targeting Black authors and stories, we must ask ourselves: How are we ensuring that our children have access to literature that affirms their history, beauty, and achievements?

The Power of Representation in Children's Literature

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's concept of "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors" highlights how books can reflect a child's identity, provide insight into others' lives, and transport readers into new experiences. Historically, Black children have been denied these mirrors. The lack of representation in children's literature has long sent a message that their stories, culture, and histories are unimportant. Fortunately, the number of diverse books written by Black authors has increased in recent years, according to data from the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Books like Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, and Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry celebrate Black joy, identity, and resilience. These books tell stories of self-love and history, reinforcing the pride that Malcolm X so fiercely advocated.

Diverse literature has grown considerably in the past few years, with more books detailing the Black experience in all its richness and complexity. Authors are expanding the narratives beyond struggle and resistance to include stories of joy, adventure, fantasy, and everyday life. Books such as Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia and Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston showcase Black protagonists in fantastical settings, while The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson and Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones provide historical and cultural depth. This expanding range of storytelling allows Black youth to see themselves as heroes, dreamers, and leaders across multiple genres.

Malcolm X once asked, "Who taught you to hate the color of your skin? Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?" The answer to countering that hatred is representation and affirmation in books. Titles such as I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo, Being You by Alex Pate, illustrated by Soud, The Me I Choose to Be by Natasha Tarpley, Art by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt, I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Ashley Bryan, and Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America by Ibi Zoboi provide children with narratives that celebrate their existence. Young adult books like Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, I Rise by Marie Arnold, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi further equip young readers with knowledge, empowerment, and historical understanding.

The Rise of Book Bans: Silencing Black Voices

Despite this progress, we are witnessing a troubling resurgence in book bans, with many of the targeted works written by Black authors or featuring Black protagonists. According to PEN America, book bans have increasingly focused on stories about race, identity, and history—subjects that are vital for Black children to see and understand. The same systemic suppression that once sought to keep Malcolm X from knowledge is now being applied to limit what Black youth can learn today.

The banning of books like Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas reflects a broader fear of Black consciousness and empowerment. Just as The Autobiography of Malcolm X has faced repeated censorship for supposedly being "disruptive to racial harmony," contemporary Black children's literature is being erased under the guise of "protecting" young readers.

Reimagining Community Literacy and Relationship Building

If books are being removed from schools and public libraries, where can our children turn? We must reclaim literacy by embedding Black literature into the very fabric of our communities. Barbershops, beauty salons, churches, and social clubs can become safe havens for Black storytelling. These spaces have historically been centers of cultural exchange, and stocking them with books that celebrate Black history and identity ensures that our children have access to stories that affirm their experiences.

Public libraries remain one of the most crucial resources for community literacy. Libraries serve as "the people’s university," providing free access to books, technology, and learning resources. However, systemic barriers—including funding cuts, content restrictions, silent censoring, and the underrepresentation of Black librarians—threaten their ability to serve our communities. We must advocate for our libraries, demand diverse collections, and create independent community libraries where necessary.

Literacy as Liberation

Malcolm X’s path to literacy was one of self-determination. While incarcerated, he taught himself to read and critically analyze the world around him. His intellectual awakening was rooted in books—many of which challenged mainstream historical narratives. How are we cultivating this same spirit of inquiry and empowerment in our children today? Are we ensuring that they have access to stories that teach them about the Harlem Renaissance, the Tuskegee Airmen, the brilliance of Black LGBT authors like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, or the contributions of Black women in STEM?

Culturally responsive education—rooted in diverse histories, perspectives, and storytelling—has been shown to increase reading motivation and engagement among Black youth. When children see themselves as heroes, inventors, and leaders in the books they read, they internalize a sense of possibility. Research consistently shows that students who engage with culturally relevant texts perform better academically and develop stronger literacy skills.

Fighting for the Future

Malcolm X understood that literacy was a form of power. Today, we face a renewed battle to control narratives, limited access to information, and the erasure of Black voices from education. We cannot afford to be passive in this fight. Parents, educators, librarians, researchers, and community leaders must come together to protect and promote Black literature.

The question remains: As our books are suppressed, how are we raising up libraries, community literacy, and other literacy spaces in response? How are we guiding our children to reading or to the library, just as Brother Baines guided Malcolm X? Malcolm X's legacy demands that we take literacy into our own hands and ensure that Black youth continue to see their stories, their history, and their beauty reflected in the books they read.

If education is our passport to the future, then let us ensure that every child in our community has one.