Category: Malcolm X

Being “mentally alive” come in different forms. Many people define themselves as being “mentally alive” based on experiences that they went through or going through. For instance, some may go through terrible experiences which can affect them mentally. Therefore, many of them can be physically alive but not mentally alive. Others may feel being “mentally alive” due to a hobby they enjoy doing. The state of being “mentally alive” is more like a feeling where an individual is opened-minded and can be fully aware of their abilities in a positive way. There are certain ways one can become “mentally alive”. This can be through self motivation and being enlightened. One have to be motivated to become enlightened in order to be mentally alive. Enlightenment is a major way of becoming “mentally alive” because one uses logic to better understand and view things. When someone is enlightened it opens one’s mind due to the knowledge they gained. Through the knowledge gained or being enlightened, changes can be made in society. Also, when one is enlightened they can educate others based on what they know.

Moreover, the enlightenment was a movement that began in the eighteenth century in which philosophers tried to inform the public their ideas and convince them to believe them. There were many philosophers like Socrates, Heraclitus, Gorchias, Plato etc. Plato, wrote this book called “Allegory of the Cave”. In “Allegory of the Cave” Plato describes a scene in which it includes some prisoners tied up with chains around their legs, arms, and necks where they can’t move their heads and are facing the wall. Behind them there is this fire and between them there is this roadway where people pass by carrying items. The prisoners have no clue what these items are and are guessing based on what they see from the shadows on the wall they’re facing. The reading continues with a dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon with questions and answers. Basically, Plato claims that humans are like the prisoners in the cave in which he believes that what humans see is what they believe is the “truth” and in order to know the truth one must come out of the cave to be enlightened. Likewise, in the other reading “Prison Studies” Malcolm X describes his story from being uneducated to educating himself. Malcolm X learned how to read and write on his own while he was in prison. He believed having an education or being educated was needed in order to fight for social injustice.

Moreover, Malcolm X’s definition of himself being mentally alive was the ability to read and write. Malcolm X states “I have often reflected upon the new vistas that reading opened to me.I knew right there in prison that reading had changed forever the course of my life. As I see it today, the ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive” (77). This quote shows how since Malcolm X learned how to read he felt that he was mentally alive even though he was in prison, the ability he had to read was important. In addition, there was some sort of motivation that made him eager to accomplish this. This was self-motivation. In the reading Malcolm X also states, “it had really begun back in the Charlestown Prison, when Bimbi first made me feel envy of his stock of knowledge” (77). This statement shows that Malcolm X was motivated to learn how to read and write in order to gain the knowledge Bimbi had. Self-motivation was the main thing that drove him to be enlightened. As you can see Malcolm X was motivated to become enlightened and this lead him to be mentally alive. When someone is motivated to accomplish something they will be successful because there is something that is motivating them. After Malcolm X was enlightened he knew that having knowledge would help him fight for social injustice, he would fight for equality for his race.

Furthermore, in “Allegory of the Cave” Plato discusses his view in education. In the reading Plato states, “Education is not what some people proclaim it to be. What they say roughly speaking is that they are able to put knowledge into souls where none was before” (4). This statement shows that the way we think about education is not what we think it is. According to Plato, he believes education is more like a transformation and it doesn’t tell us the “truth”. What he means by transformation is that he believes teachers provides us with knowledge that changes the way we think. Therefore, if we want to know the “truth” we as humans must be enlightened. We must be motivated to learn in order to know the “truth”. In addition, Plato continues to discuss the need to be enlightened in order to know the “truth”. Plato states, “How could they, if they had been prevented from moving their heads all their lives?” (1). The quotes shows how the prisoners don’t really see what’s really behind them because they can’t move, so when the prisoners are free they get to see what was really behind. Therefore, for someone to understand something they have to be enlightened meaning they have to gain knowledge. When someone is enlightened it opens one’s mind making them think differently by having their own ideas or beliefs and can later on make inferences. To sum it up, we must be able to be enlightened in order to know the “truth” instead of just being ignorant and not having any knowledge. This can make someone “mentally alive” because with knowledge it makes it difficult for someone to change your opinion on something.

As a result, being enlightened is a major way of becoming mentally alive because one uses logic to better understand and view things in society. When someone is enlightened it makes them think deeply due to the knowledge they gained. Therefore, changes can be made in society like social change. People has their own definition of being mentally alive but in order to be mentally alive there has to be some sort of knowledge gained.

The world changes, but history stays. History stays over time by passing through the generations to remind people how the world used to be and how it changed because of the people who sacrificed their lives to fight for a better world. There were three famous people that changed the history of America because of their influences and inspiration. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks became popular in history by expressing the problems between White Americans and African American. In their belief to fight for equality for African American, they all presented their ideas in their own unique ways throughout the community through their speeches and actions.

As read in some sources, Martin Luther King Jr. believes in unity without segregation and that both races should stay together and stay stronger through his “I Have a Dream” speech. His speech addressed White Americans and African Americans to trigger their sympathy and empathy. He used his speech to engage people together to understand that people are all the same even with different skin colors which do not define who they are as a person. He shared his faith in freedom for his people and convinced all White Americans to change their minds and attitudes to create a peaceful world.

On the other hand, Malcolm X convinced African Americans should be separated from White Americans. He proposed the speech with an intention to unite the African American. He persuaded them to believe that they could do better without depending on White Americans. This made African Americans start thinking and believing his words and the need to take action to stop White Americans looking down or trying to control them. Malcolm prepared for a war to do whatever it took to reach freedom while Martin Luther King Jr communicated and negotiated through their speeches to appeal the attention for people to listen and understand that all races could share the love and live in equality.

In additionally, Rosa Parks sparked the attention of America when she refused to give up her seat for a white man on a bus causing her arrest. She presented the idea of how people should not be categorized and judge by the skin of their color causing them to be treated harshly and differently through her action. She encouraged people to stand up and speak up for themselves. Rose Parks used herself to show people how to fight for equal rights.

If I could have a chance to sit down and meet with them; I would ask them how long it took them to get enough courage to speak up and refuse to be treated differently. For the most part, all African-Americans were not accepted for who they were and be defined differently compared to others. I wanted to ask them how long it took them to collect enough evidence to persuade people of all community to listen to their ideas. Did they think about the consequences they would have to deal with if things went wrong? Did they think about their families might be isolated or affected by their decisions?

All in all, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks successfully opened the chance for African Americans to be independent and be free of their skin colors. They all had the same purpose to enhance the lives of African American by showing both races human rights through speeches and actions. They put all the effort to fight for African American to live in peace and equality. They all sacrificed themselves to stand up for what right and what wrong for their people and for their belief.

Do you know who Malcolm X is? A lot of people don’t. But I am going to teach you about his life.

Malcolm Little, better known as Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the fourth of eight children. His parents were Earl Little and Loise Helen Norton Little. He and his family were harassed by the Klu Klux Klan. The harassment continued for a while. Earl Little, his father, moved his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1926. Then they moved to Lansing, Michigan, in 1928. Shortly after they moved to Michigan in 1929, a racist mob set Malcolm’s house on fire. ‘The white police and firemen came and stood around watching as the house burned to the ground,’ Malcolm X later remembered. In 1931, his father’s dead body was found lying across municipal streetcar tracks. Malcolm X’s mother never recovered from the shock and grief over Earl’s death. She was committed to a mental health institution in 1937. He and his siblings were split between foster homes.

Malcolm attended Mason High School, and he excelled in his classes. In 1939, his English teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, and his response was a lawyer. His teacher responded, ‘One of life’s first needs is for us to be realistic … you need to think of something you can be … why don’t you plan on carpentry?’ He dropped out of school the following year.

In 1946, Malcolm and his friend, Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis, were arrested and convicted of burglary. They were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Malcolm got paroled after 7 years. He used those years in prison devouring the books from the prison library to make up for the school years he missed. He was visited frequently by his brother who had recently joined the Nation of Islam (NOI). Due to the constant visits from his brother, he became intrigued and started studying the teachings of NOI leader Elijah Muhammad. In 1952, Malcolm became a devoted follower with his new surname (last name) X. He considered Little a slave name and chose X to show his lost tribal name.

Malcolm was appointed as a minister and national spokesman for the NOI. Elijah Muhammad charged him with establishing new mosques in cities such as Detroit, Michigan, and Harlem, New York. He spread the NOI’s message across the United States. Due to the efforts of Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam grew from a mere 400 members at the time he was released from prison in 1952, to 40,000 members by 1960. Malcolm left the Nation of Islam in 1964, due to feelings of betrayal and differences of opinion with Elijah Muhammad, who was angered over Malcolm’s comments on the assassination of John F. Kennedy. That year, he performed Hajj. It is a traditional pilgrimage that Muslims do to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. During his trip, he converted to mainstream Islam and changed his name again to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was on stage for a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan. He had just begun addressing the room when people started shooting him. He was found dead after that. The people who shot him were angry NOI members, and they were sentenced to life in prison.

The 1960s were a time of battle for change. Frustrated and fed up with the oppression with which they were forced to live, influential people such as Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. started a whirlwind known as the Civil Rights Movement. On Easter Sunday, March 29, 1964, Malcolm X gave a speech warning of “the ballot or the bullet” from the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights, New York. Extending his position to black people living in America, Malcolm X used repetition of words, apostrophe, anaphora, and antithesis to convey his message in a forceful and fascinating way.

Malcolm X spoke to black nationalists as a plea for action against their white oppressors. He made the point that African-Americans were treated as second class citizens: they were denied the constitutional rights that they deserved. (Goodman, 1971, 14-18) Malcolm X also spoke about the “back pay” that white Americans owed them for the slave labor they forced upon the ancestors of the African-Americans. Malcolm X made a call for freedom.

Malcolm X’s diction added emphasis to his speech. He used repetition of words frequently throughout his speech. Near the beginning of his speech, Malcolm X said:

The first step for those of us who believe in the philosophy of Black Nationalism is to realize that the problem begins right here. The first problem is right here. We have to elevate our thinking right here first–not just the thinking of a handful, that won’t do it. But the thinking of 22 million black people in this country must be elevated.

This statement used repetition of the words “first” and “thinking.” It also utilized apostrophe with the phrase “right here.” The whole quote can be summed up using the words Malcolm X repeated. His main idea was that African-Americans first had to change their thinking right here. Malcolm X used repetition of words and phrases to highlight the idea expressed in the quote.

Two paragraphs later, Malcolm X repeated the word “gospel” throughout an entire paragraph. When you have a philosophy or a gospel–I don’t care whether it’s a religious gospel, a political gospel, an economic gospel or a social gospel–if it’s not going to do something for you and me right here and right now–to hell with that gospel! In the past, most of the religious gospels that you and I have heard have benefited only those who preach it. Most of the political gospels that you and I have heard have benefited only the politicians. The social gospels have benefited only the sociologists.

Malcolm X was trying to convey the idea that if the gospel doesn’t work, does not accept it-create your own. The African-American people cannot just accept the fact that they are viewed as being subordinate. If they want change, they are going to have to demand that the gospel be changed to include equality for their race. Malcolm X used repetition of words and phrases as a flag that is raised when he is making a principal point. Anaphora is another way that Malcolm X emphasized the major points of his speech. It is nationalism that is bringing freedom to oppressed people all over the world. It was nationalism that brought freedom to the Algerians. It was nationalism that brought freedom to the Nigerians and to the Ghanaians. It was nationalism that brought freedom to the people of Uganda and Tanganyika and Sudan and Somaliland. It was nationalism that has brought about the freedom of every oppressed people. (Foner, 1973, 369-85)

Malcolm X argued that nationalism was the way for African-Americans to get what they wanted-and he used this paragraph to do so. Those who attended almost certainly left the Audubon Ballroom with the words “it was nationalism” rolling over and over in their heads. To further emphasize his idea of nationalism being the solution to oppression, Malcolm X used anaphora again later in the same paragraph. “And they have seen that the Africans did not get it by sitting in. They did not get it by waiting in. They did not get it by singing, “We Shall overcome;” they got it through nationalism”. How did they get it? “It was nationalism…”

One final major instance of anaphora that Malcolm X used underlines the needs Malcolm X felt had to be met in order to satisfy the goals he was trying to situate in the minds of African-American people. He wanted to educate the people in how to win their battle. “Let’s join in-if this is what the Negro wants, let’s join him. Let’s show him how to struggle. Let’s show him how to fight. Let’s show him how to bring a real revolution. Let’s make him stop jiving!” Let’s show him. The anaphora that Malcolm X utilized is reminiscent of other great speakers, such as John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. He used the tool the lay emphasis on his important arguments. In addition to adding emphasis, the anaphora Malcolm X employed effectively captured the audience’s attention by making the speech pleasant to listen to.

Malcolm X also used antithesis to stress his ideas by contrasting opposites. The first example of antithesis is found in the second paragraph. “When we say so-called Negro that’s pointing out what we aren’t, but it isn’t telling us what we are”. Malcolm X is trying to make the point that the word “Negro” has a negative connotation and that African-Americans should not refer to themselves as Negroes (or allow anyone else to refer to them as that, for that matter). He is stating that they are not “Negroes.” Rather, they “are Africans, and they happen to be in America”. The words “Negro” makes no reference to where African-Americans come from or who they are, but only serves to point out the fact that they are not “Americans” in the sense that a racist would interpret the word. Later in that same paragraph, Malcolm X made one of the strongest statements of the speech. “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; the rock was landed on us”. This statement refers to the fact that African-Americans did not choose to come to America. They were kidnapped and brought here against their will. If Malcolm X had simply said, “We did not decide to come here,” his statement would not have been nearly as effective. Antithesis intensifies the force of his speech.

The diction and sentence tools that Malcolm X used helped to create his voice in the speech even on paper. In his or her head, the reader can almost hear Malcolm X dramatically giving the speech. He has a very strong, confident, persuasive voice. A writer or speaker who has control of his language has control of his audience. The repetition of words, apostrophe, anaphora, and antithesis that Malcolm X implemented in his speech “It shall be the ballot or the bullet” helps to provoke thought in his audience. These tools accentuate the main ideas in his speech and do so in a way that will reach his audience and allow them to remember what he said. The control he has over his words gave him a strong voice when he spoke that Easter Sunday in 1964. The ability to use such tools in order to reach his audience gave Malcolm X the power to become such an influential and successful speaker. (Rich Andrea, 1971, 260-93)

Works Cited

Foner Philip S., Editor. The Voice of Black America: Major Speeches by Negroes in the United States, 17971973. NY: Capricorn Books, 1973. Vol. 2: Malcolm X, 369-385.

Goodman Benjamin, Editor. The End of White World Supremacy: Four Speeches of Malcolm X. NY: Merlin House, Inc., 1971. 14-18.

Rich Andrea L. and Arthur L. Smith: 1971: “Architect of Black Revolution:” Two of Malcolm X speeches, “On Unity” and “The Ballot or the Bullet” 260-293.

John Locke’s State of War compares with Malcolm X’s description of social injustice in several philosophical perspectives. Both philosophers theorize that victims of ferocity, detention, and/or assault, among other destructive acts, bear the right to fight back. John Locke’s State of War theory describes war as intrinsic hatred and/or desire of defilement that a person advances on another individual’s natural way of life (Bishop 8). The philosopher believes in the law of self-defense that closely correlates with the law of nature, which holds that individuals may terminate others’ lives in an attempt to defend themselves from destruction. According to the theory, the violent behavior of one person interferes with the freedom of another. Therefore, people’s aggression deprives the victims of a violation of their right to free will. In such cases, the theory presumes that violent people hamper with the state of nature that makes them live together with common reasoning. Locke’s State of War theory has found great significance in analyzing cultural segregation, especially in American society. The two philosophers agree that the Whites’ tendency to oppress the minority groups on unjustified political grounds. This situation has resulted in cultural elitism and social pressure amongst the diverse American racial groups.

In the context of the theory, there is a possibility of reversal of powers whereby the once oppressed minority groups might become the dominant groups’ oppressors to fulfill their right to free will. Locke presumes that the epitome of social commonality and self-rule of the minorities will compel them to counter the dominant groups’ deep-rooted antagonistic behavior. In comparison, Malcolm X’s theory advances that victims of oppression will most likely seek their free will and justice through vengeful acts. In the context of Malcolm X’s view, the American war for independence underpins the notion that American society awaits another fight for the liberation of the black community. Just like Locke, Malcolm believes that nonviolence cannot solve the problem that black Americans are facing. Instead, the black American philosopher advocates self-defense rather than mere nonviolence. This notion stems from the scars created on black society through blatant racial profiling, segregation, slavery, and murder, among other brutalities.

Consequently, these ideologies have revolutionized the Blacks’ minds by awakening their consciousness of their identity amongst the American groups. The result is tiring of the Blacks. The situation has compelled them to impose rebellions to preserve their civil rights amidst the white society.

Works Cited

Bishop, Schuyler. Three theories of individualism: Graduate Theses and Dissertations, 2007. PDF file. Web.

Each person is unique and has a distinct perspective, yet many people seem to share matching ideas on certain aspects of life. For instance, Martin Luther King, Jr., a devoted Christian, and Malcolm X, a representative of Islam, appear quite different but offer many comparable thoughts. Malcolm X and King have similar socio-religious philosophies in terms of viewing the role of religion in freeing Black people from oppression.

While having distinct religious beliefs, King and Malcolm X strived for African American individuals to have better lives. First, the two persons sought freedom for the Black population, as King viewed liberty as America’s goal, and Malcolm X perceived freedom as essential to life (Karenga, 2010; King, n.d.). Second, both Malcolm X and King condemned the White church, as the former perceived it as morally bankrupt, and the latter proposed its weakness (Karenga, 2010; King, n.d.). Third, despite being disappointed with the church, King felt it could play a significant role in confronting racial segregation (King, n.d.).

Similarly, Malcolm X believed Islam was crucial in the liberation struggle (Karenga, 2010). Nonetheless, the philosophies of these men brought them into conflict with others who shared their respective religions. King criticized Christians for not supporting Black people, and before turning to Islam, Malcolm X denounced several religions that opposed his position about freedom (Karenga, 2010; King, n.d.). Accordingly, King and Malcolm X followed different faiths but had comparable purposes.

Furthermore, Malcolm X and King’s ideologies can be better understood through the ideas of John Mbiti. In particular, Mbiti’s announcement of “I am because we are; and since we are, therefore I am” signifies the interconnectedness between the individual and the whole society (Reviglio & Alunge, 2020). Accordingly, the statement can apply to King and Malcolm X’s views by suggesting that the liberty of Black people is closely linked to both Christianity and Islam.

To conclude, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X’s socio-religious philosophies correspond to each other in perceiving that religion is important in freeing the African American population from racial inequalities. The ideologies of these men made them confront their peers in belief, as King expressed his disappointment with Christianity, and Malcolm X accepted and rejected several religions that did not share his view on liberty. Both Malcolm X and King considered that the White church had substantial deficiencies but claimed that religion could assist Black people in overcoming discrimination.

References

Karenga, M. (2010). Introduction to black studies (4^th ed.). University of Sankore Press.

King, Jr. M. L. (n.d.). On the American Christendom (Excerpt from “A letter from a Birmingham jail”).

Reviglio, U., & Alunge, R. (2020). “I am datafied because we are datafied”: An Ubuntu perspective on (relational) privacy. Philosophy & Technology, 33(4), 595-612. Web.

Reinforced by many positive feedbacks about this book I sat down and read it from cover to cover. Although it still raises lots of controversial feelings deep inside, I have to admit that this book is outstandingly influential for those who wish to know the roots of civil equality.

There has not been such a narrative about the actual life of a human rights activist, so far. Deservedly, the book is considered to be one of a kind due to its essence. I have got a chance to see the magnificent life career of a vitally important historical figure for the twentieth century from inside. The autobiography gives a wonderful opportunity to understand the essence of Malcolm X’s life and deeds.

Having gone through various fierce life tortures, he had advanced from wards of the state to the utmost an African American would reach – the founder of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, as Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, Malcolm X was destined to have a hard but influential life story. He had experienced the grief of his father’s death when he was six, which subsequently led him to subconscious war against human rights inequality. His father was supposedly killed by racists in a road accident and was afterwards laid across tracks to mutilate the face cruelly, so Malcolm X’s mother and her relatives considered.

After trying to survive by accomplishing several jobs, Malcolm X’s mother had a psychological breakdown, which led her to a commitment to a state mental hospital. Hence, the children became the wards of the state.

Nevertheless, having absolutely collapsed with the loss of faith, Malcolm X has gained respect within the teachers as a diligent and talented student of a normal public school. It is considered that he would have avoided the further sentence to eight to ten years for burglary if his teacher did not discourage the desire to study and become a lawyer. This impacted Malcolm X’s inner world perception and he gave up school to enroll in an unwholesome crowd and sell drugs through working as a shoeshine boy.

Between 1946 and 1952 the great changes emerged in Malcolm X’s insight. When being in prison for an unfair sentence because of white women crime involvement, Malcolm X reinforces his believes in knowledge and starts taking correspondence courses of English and Latin. Moreover, often visiting library he stated studying the works of the leader of Nation of Islam Elijah Muhammad, who had insisted on the evil innateness of whites. Besides, this is when Malcolm Little dropped his last name and adopted the name Malcolm X.

So, ever since Malcolm X was paroled in 1952, he became a member of Nation of Islam and was ministering the Temple Seven in Harlem as a result of meeting Elijah Muhammad in person and attracting the like-minded people.

After Malcolm X has gained a huge popularity, as he thought, and was suspended from the Nation of Islam, the real fear for his own life attended him more often. Needless to say he was absolutely sure in his popularity among blacks of Harlem, therefore there were no doubts about forming his own brand new organization called the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated. Moreover, proving entire dedication to his beliefs he accomplished a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which resulted in bringing back a totally new message that run that people of different races can coexist peacefully.

On February 21, 1965 Malcolm was shot and killed at the ballroom in Manhattan at the age of forty.

In my opinion, the author did a great job. As far as I know, Malcolm X and Alex Haley met a couple times before actually sitting down to writing a book. No wonder the entire work came out amazingly well and outstanding both for black and white communities of America. Disregarding the skin color you can easily distinguish the virtues and simple human features a modern person should have. And there is no place for hatred among those. This is what every high school student should elicit from Malcolm X’s Autobiography written so professionally by Alex Haley. And though some consider him to be a ghostwriter of this book I think it does not really matter in terms of professionalism applied. Since the entire book came out perfectly readable and, moreover, captivating I must admit the absence of poorly written episodes.

Alex Haley had thousands of conversations with Malcolm X, hence the overall product that we can read nowadays gains even more significance as noted from the real character’s words. It is a perfectly depicted life story that stuns and sometimes makes you hold your breath when reading the stories from prison or the character’s revelations. The description by Alex Haley went out vivid and sometimes too real to take your eyes off; therefore you just do not notice its real length until the last page. So, the author showed his utmost in tracing this autobiography and can probably be given the highest appraisal. This autobiography is compelling storytelling by a talented author.

However, there are some aspects I would tend to disagree with. As such, the book describes Malcolm’s hustling, sometimes violently-oriented life standpoints. However, some sources state that he refused carrying a gun, and, in fact, always tried to practice nonviolence. One more: of course, I cannot doubt the sincerity and honesty of such a remarkable figure, but Malcolm X used to give powerful fierce speeches, though never drove those to rebellions against whites. Nonetheless, I have to admit the book helped me comprehending some things about civil activism right eventually. Somehow Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were divided into a good black guy and a bad black guy subconsciously in my head. So, now I have set all priorities, having the precious knowledge of the subject and its various sides. Meaning, Malcolm X’s life story has more ‘layers’, sometimes problematic ones, but he deserves as much honor as anyone else does.

The powerful and emotionally stirring writing style of the book only helps the reader understand the importance of the transcendence of class differences and battles over racial dominance for Malcolm X. Moreover, the autobiography’s writing style helped me get into Malcolm X’s shoes and feel his frustration, anger and despair as if I stood next to him. So did his daughter Attallah Shabazz, I think, when she wrote the foreword placed next to the stamp bearing Malcolm’s likeness. The foreword itself shares common opinion with the American nation that there hardly was a man who impacted the second half of the twentieth century greater than Malcolm X.

The work itself gives us a precious conception of a good autobiography rather than a historical value. After reading this book students acquire a better understanding of racial and cultural diversity problems, namely racism. Of course, the autobiography represents a significant source of historical development of racism in America. Though, I think, that its value is more like an autobiographical narrative of one of the most significant historic figures of the twentieth century.

In order to answer the question if the book justifies the entire idea of an African American literature course, I must admit that everything is not so simple. Once I got to the point of the book where the latter issue is touched upon, everything was absolutely clear. However, my opinion has been changing along with Malcolm’s and the story line development. Namely, the world was, is, and will be diverse. Humanity needs to accept it and exist peacefully on the planet.

References

Haley, Alex, and Attallah Shabazz. The Autobiography of Malcolm X As told to Alex Haley. With a New foreword by Attallah Shabazz. The Ballantine Publishing Group, 1999. Print.

The point to be made from the book A Homemade Education is that only determination and a willingness to educate can provide a person with actual knowledge that can be used. This work is a kind of memoir by Malcolm X, recounting his struggle in the quest for knowledge. The process of self-education, the pursuit to which he committed everything, began while Malcolm served a prison sentence in Charlestown. There, he met a man named Bimbi, who became an example and inspiration to him on his path to knowledge. Malcolm’s later self-development allowed him to become one of the most famous and influential African Americans in U.S. history.

The work provides perspectives on his time’s various teaching methods and educational approaches from the perspective of an initially illiterate but very determined man. When the book was written, the problem of racism and rejection of other cultures in society was very acute (Malcolm X 127). Like any other member of the African American community, Malcolm experienced many hardships and often faced injustice. Thus, he began his journey of self-improvement when he realized that the book given to him in prison did not make sense (Malcolm X 122). He then turned the pursuit of knowledge into his primary ambition and set himself the goal of preparing himself for the prospects of the future – after all, acquiring knowledge is the best preparation.

Through self-study and a thorough examination of literature, Malcolm learned more about the history of his own people, the diversity of the races and cultures that inhabit America, and the violation of rights they experience. In prison, he also became interested in the activities and ideology of the Nation of Islam and its leader, Elijah Muhammad (Malcolm X 123). After the release, he joined the organization and rose to become one of its leaders afterward. Later it is difficult to underestimate his contribution to the struggle for the rights of Americans of African descent and Muslims.

Sometimes being in prison provides more educational opportunities than being free. After the release, Malcolm had the tools he needed to change his life and the lives of many others in America. His path to enlightenment, described in his memoir, commands respect for his determination and dedication to his self-determined goals. His dedication to overcoming adversity has made him an inspiring figure and enabled him to gain recognition and respect.

Work Cited

Malcolm X. “A Homemade Education.”The Mercury Reader. Ed. Sharon Walsh. Boston: Pearson (2005): 122-131. Web.

Introduction

“Learning to Read” is an essay written by the African American civil rights activist Malcolm X. He reflects on his journey of learning to read and the profound impact it had on his life and his beliefs. The essay is part of his book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” published in 1965 after his death. It is a powerful and inspiring essay showcasing education’s transformative power and the importance of self-reliance and self-discovery.

Discussion

One of the most significant aspects of “Learning to Read” is the importance Malcolm X places on education. Throughout his life, he advocated for education as a means of empowering people and breaking down the barriers of oppression. In the essay, he describes how learning to read gave him a new sense of purpose and self-esteem and transformed his life (Malcolm, 1965). He saw education as a tool that could help him to understand the world better and to fight against the injustices he saw around him.

Another critical aspect of “Learning to Read” is how it highlights personal transformation’s power. Malcolm X’s life was marked by a series of transformative experiences, including his journey from street life to religious and political activism (Malcolm, 1965). His story demonstrates how a person’s life can be changed when they gain new knowledge and skills and how education can be a powerful force for personal growth and social change.

Conclusion

Finally, “Learning to Read” is significant for its message about the importance of self-reliance and self-discovery. Throughout the essay, Malcolm X emphasizes the importance of taking control of one’s own life and using education as a means of self-empowerment. He argues that people should not rely on others to provide answers but should strive to gain the knowledge and skills needed to think for themselves and make informed decisions (Malcolm, 1965). This message remains relevant today, as many people face barriers to education and the opportunities it provides.

Reference

Malcolm, X. (1965). Learning to Read. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Ed. Alex Haley. New York: Ballantine, 353-361.

Introduction

To many people, prison is the place where freedom is lost and all hope abandoned. However, to some people, prison can be the turning point, where the individual comes to his moment of truth. There are a number of things about prison that may lead to an individual stumbling into a turning point. One of the things is the fact that the person will have too much time because unlike free people, an imprisoned person does not have appointments and deadlines to meet.

The other thing is that this person does not just have a lot of time, but he or she is also closely monitored. Prison will give the prisoner time and space to think and meditate on the most important issues of life and the philosophies of life. Once this person reaches a point where his inner being is seeking to answer the important questions of life, it will be time for the person to look for an alternative reality or to look for something to distract him from his predicament. This is the reason why it is said that the body can be imprisoned, but the mind cannot be imprisoned, at least not in a conventional physical prison.

Discussion

A good example is Malcolm X, who after being incarcerated; he found the love for books and literature. When he realized that he could not read efficiently because his vocabulary was poor, he started mastering the vocabulary of the English language until he was very good at it. The work that Malcolm did in an attempt to master the vocabulary without the aid of a teacher, was amazing and incredible. After he had mastered enough vocabulary, he started reading books, usually the enlightening type. Reading made his vocabulary even better, and he had a better way to improve his vocabulary as time went on.

The mind of an imprisoned person will want to free itself in spite of the fact that it is tightly coupled to the body of the person. As a result, the inner person of an incarcerated individual will try to look for ways to escape from the imprisonment. This is the reason why most imprisoned people become very good in what they do. One person may decide to take a technical course such as masonry or carpentry, and will seem to have the right motivation to make this an area of expertise.

The motivation behind the reason why the person will want to excel in whatever he or she chooses may be different. Some will be doing that because they see it as a second chance to life, and that they cannot manage to waste it. However, for another person, the person may be motivated by the fact that he has been pushed to the philosophical points by the challenges that the prison life brings.

It is not by coincidence that many people who go to prison are those who in one way or the other, had certain aspects of their lives that were so colorful, that prison life will not be able to satisfy them. When such a person goes to prison, he will have to adjust his attitudes and feelings in order to help in compensating for this lack.

In the case of Malcolm X, he says in his article that it was the command that he used to have in the streets, which he now did not have, especially due to the fact that the only channel of communication for him in prison was writing. Though well informed, he was unable to write well, and he couldn’t write in slang. Malcolm (1) says, “How would I sound writing in slang, the way 1 would say it, something such as, “Look, daddy, let me pull your coat about a cat, Elijah Muhammad—””

Conclusion

The other factor that will change the way a prisoner will see the world and react to it is the way the prisoner will regard the cause of the imprisonment. Some will accept the imprisonment and accept that it was their fault. However, if the prisoner regards the imprisonment as harassment and that he is innocent; he will have a different perspective. Malcolm X did not just have a great desire to read and enlighten his mind, but he did it because he was seeking to understand the history of the black people and the history of all races.

He was raged and concerned about the unfairness of the white people towards the rest of the world races, and this led him to studying any material he could find on the subject. Malcolm (6) admits: “The Oriental philosophers were the ones I came to prefer; finally, my impression was that most Occidental philosophy had largely been borrowed from the Oriental thinkers”. In other words, he had come to find purpose in understanding the place of the other races in the world history, and this impressed him the most. This is so with almost every other prisoner, because they will come to have a sense of direction which they will follow.

Malcolm even confesses in his article that he could not have managed to learn as much in college as he did in prison. As Malcolm (6) says, “In fact, prison enabled me to study far more intensively than I would have if my life had gone differently and I had attended some college”.

Works Cited

Malcolm X, Little. Learning to Read. Smccd, 2012. Web.