Frederick Douglass obtained his ability to read under unconventional circumstances, enslaved and without freedom. Before being able to read,  he couldn’t really question the position he was in.  It was not until he started reading and educating himself that he started to think outside the box and for become “enlightened” according to the definition of Immanuel Kant; who defines enlightenment as “the emergence from the self-incurred minority.” Frederick Douglass writes: “The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest slavery, and my enslavers… As I writhed under the sting and torment of this knowledge, I almost envied my fellow slaves their stupid contentment. This knowledge opened my eyes to the horrible pit, and revealed the teeth of the frightful dragon that was ready to pounce upon me” (My Bondage and My Freedom  ch. XI).

Similarly, Malcolm X was under oppressive circumstances when  he started an education that would allow him to reach a similar enlightenment like that of Frederick Douglass. Similar to Douglass, Malcolm X started off with little reading and writing capabilities. However, they both also had the strong desire to learn. For Malcolm, reading was his escape from jail and it helped him pass the time. As he describes it “from then until I left prison, in every free moment I had, if I was not reading in the library, I was reading on my bunk” (3).  Reading allowed him to build his vocabulary and allow him access to books which would then help open his eyes to the atrocities of slavery. It allowed him to be able to finally reach a higher level of thinking and eventually become a leader in the African-American community. Both of these men, had humble beginnings when it comes to their education. With little resources like Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X was able to pursue an education which would then lead to a form of enlightenment which benefits and helps the “black man” (Malcolm X 6).