Malcolm in Mason
After Malcolm X’s mother was sent to the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, his family was separated which affected his performance and behavior in school. Seeing his family torn apart and his mother slowly lose her sanity changed Malcolm. He began to resent the hegemonic social order that was set before him, and he rebelled against all things that tried to box him up. As Malcolm’s behavioral record worsened the state decided to send Malcolm to a state detention home in Mason, Michigan. During Malcolm’s time in Mason he lived in the detention home, worked within the area for Leo Kelly and Dr. Gertrude Sullivan, and attended school at Mason High School. Throughout his time between these sites Malcolm got a small scale picture of the world at large. He witnessed what a disadvantage he was at in life, and he was determined to argue that reality with his actions. Whether those actions were legal or illegal, we see the beginnings of Malcolm's “By any means necessary” mindset developing. All of Malcolm’s initial behavioral problems, and rebellious attitude began with these three sites and they only grew and continued to shape Malcolm throughout his life.