A renowned author behind books like “How to Be an Antiracist,” Ibram Kendi came to Madison East High School to discuss his latest book, “Malcolm Lives!” with students on May 14.
The effort was part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, which brings authors to the state to speak on their books year round. Kendi’s visit to Madison East was uniquely timed to speak on his book due to Malcolm X Day falling just two days after the discussion on May 16. The book brings to light a revamped perspective on the life of Malcolm X geared towards a younger audience to keep his legacy in their minds.
“Malcolm Lives!” is an 86-chapter mini-episodic biography with each “scene,” as Kendi describes the book, comprising a few pages. The book took 20 years of research examining stories of Malcolm X’s life from first hand accounts and retellings from others. It additionally features a series of uncovered images of Malcolm X’s private letters.
“The book is these vivid scenes from Malcolm’s life,” Kendi said. “In researching, I had to get every piece of detail to describe these scenes from all those different types of sources so that I could essentially fill them out and tell them.”
The visit consisted of a panel-based discussion with Madison East student Jacquelyn Boakai and the school’s principal, Patrice Haste. It happened to be an extra-special occasion for Boakai.
She was working on a project for her advanced placement seminar project to answer the question, “Has America truly acknowledged the harsh background of Black individuals and Black oppression overall?”
In Boakai’s project, she came across Kendi’s work. After having it proofread by a librarian, she was told that Kendi would be coming to the school soon and was asked if she wanted to be involved with it.
“I almost broke down crying,” Boakai said. “Talking with him on stage just confirmed a question I’ve been asking myself for a while now, which is kind of like being able to push past through what other people’s opinions are for me …to speak my own truth as a young Black woman coming up.”
Boakai’s father matched her excitement for the opportunity. He bought her all the hard covers to add to her collection — which Boakai plans to read — of Kendi’s other works.
Attendees were also given a copy of “Malcolm Lives!” along with the chance for a broad Q&A. Most looked for advice on writing and getting their ideas out there.
Kendi gave a brief overview of his path as a journalist who frequently covered sports and race. He soon decided to focus on race and attend graduate school with the intention to become a professor and an author.
“When I decided I wanted to write these types of books, I started reaching out to literary agents. I think about 65 of them were like, ‘ I’m not trying to work with you’ until I actually was able to find one,” Kendi said. “I just didn’t take no for an answer for my first trade press book.”
Kendi continued to press for what he wanted and not to give up — he encouraged students to do the same.
