EDULITE: Journal of English Education, Literature and Culture
Vol 6, No 1 (2021): February 2021

The influence of systemic racism on quarter-life crisis in The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley)

Bhakti Satrio Nugroho (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Dwi Septi Aryani (Universitas Sumatera Utara)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Feb 2021

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.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

edulite

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

EduLite Journal of English Education, Literature and Culture is a blind peer review international journal which publishes manuscripts within the fields of teaching English as a first, second or foreign language, English language teaching and learning, English language teachers' training and ...