Malcolm X Biography Review Generates Controversy

By Maryann Yin 

After TheRoot.com rejected Karl Evanzz review of the late Manning Marable‘s Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, Evanzz posted a shortened version of the negative review on his blog–causing a stir among academics.

The Washington Post explained: “The flap is gaining attention in the intense world of Malcolm X studies, where theories about the civil rights leader’s life can be as polarizing as the man himself. The controversy was reported Wednesday on Richard Prince’s Journal-isms media criticism blog.”

The review, entitled “Paper Tiger: Manning Marable’s Poison Pen,” strongly criticized the biography. According to the Post, managing editor Joel Dreyfuss informed Evanzz that the piece would not be published and Evanzz received a $100 kill fee. (via Ron Charles)