"Mascot"

In chapter two of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," Malcolm describes his feelings after moving into a foster home with the Swerlin family. Malcolm is separated from all of his siblings, however meets up with his half-sister. "I had become a mascot," he recalls, "our branch of the family was split to pieces; I had just about forgotten about being a Little in any family sense" (35). His statement is a response to his half-sister, Ella's, comment about how they must stick together because they are both Littles. Malcolm feels like a mascot because he does not feel equal to those around him. He feels as if he is a source of observation and almost a pet to the white community he is living in. At school, Malcolm is not treated as equal. When he tells his teacher of his aspiration to become a lawyer, even his well-meaning teacher looks down upon him and lower than the other students. He is no longer united with his family and only serves as a representative or "mascot" for his family in the town he is living in. When he moves, he hopes to succeed more than he would have in Lansing. He hopes to be seen as a higher and more important individual, not simply a mascot. The title of this chapter represents Malcolm's goals of escaping a life of feeling like someone's pet.