Minister and activist Malcolm X spent his life advocating for civil rights, helping to pave the way toward racial equality. In the final chapter of his 1964 autobiography, Malcolm X reflects on his past and his accomplishments. He recalls how greatly he suffered in life, but offers a message of hope, writing, “It is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come.” His words remind us that pleasure can’t be experienced without pain to compare it to, and the challenges we face bring a greater appreciation of the joy in life.