The Influence of Systemic Racism on Quarter-Life Crisis in The Autobiography of Malcolm X (As Told to Alex Haley)

Dwi Septi Aryani,Bhakti Satrio Nugroho

doi:10.22161/ijels.55.26

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the influence of systemic racism on quarter-life crisis, experienced by Malcolm X, as seen in The Autobiography of Malcolm X (As Told to Alex Haley). Its emphasis is to find the relation between racial segregation in American society and its influence on quarter-life crisis, which is a psychological crisis of uncertainty, self-insecurity and identity confusion, occurs during emerging adulthood. Therefore, by applying a qualitative method, this research is under Post-Nationalist American Studies and psychosocial approach as an integrated paradigm which accommodates the inter-disciplinary aspects of “self and society”. The analysis showed that racial segregation, in the field of education and job occupation, is a form of systemic racism which influences Malcolm X’s mental wellness as an emerging adult African-American. He experiences Robinson’s phases of quarter-life crisis which are locked in, separation/time-out, exploration and rebuilding. In fact, racial segregation in this narrative works as “a function of blocked opportunities” which disallows young African-Americans to develop their own competencies and to achieve their “American Dream’. However, in the development of his quarter-life crisis, Malcolm X managed to rebuild his new long-term commitment contributing to the reconstruction of his adult identity as an African-American Muslim activist.

Highlights

Racism in the United States has become the main social issue throughout decades
To elaborate and to analyze the psychological and sociological aspect within the narrative, the discussion of this research is divided into three subchapters: racial segregation as systemic racism, Malcolm X’s quarter-life crisis, and the analysis of the causal relation between both
Racial Segregation as Systemic Racism. This part attempts to discuss the systemic racism in this narrative which fundamentally relies on racial segregation laws

Summary

Introduction

Racism in the United States has become the main social issue throughout decades. This polemic issue has been strongly rooted from slavery, which was introduced and developed in the New World by European merchants in 1492 After the slavery was abolished, its prominent legacy still exists and further affects the development of culture, society, education, economics and even politics in the United States. The complexity of this racial issue has deeply become part of American identity which has already integrated in almost every layer of American social system.

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