Malcolm X Post 6

As I was finishing up the book and approaching Malcolm's death, I was wondering what had become of the Nation of Islam after his death and up until now. With much help from wikipedia I found out that it is still alive and running. Although Elijah Muhammad is now dead (and has been since 75) with their new controversial leader being Louis Farrakhan . I have also found out that there are many famous or infamous members including rappers Snoop Dog and Ice Cube. The Maryland and Virginia sniper, and Muhammad Ali had once joined but eventually converted to Sunni Islam. I found this interesting that the NofI still has an affect on the US today. Also, I had always wondered why Malcolm didn't spend more time in the heavily segregated south.  I tried researching the topic but could not come up with any information. 

Malcolm X Post 5

My experience on the Harlem field trip was a great one. Everywhere we went I learned about a new events or ideas. Starting with the bus tour of Harlem with Neal, i was intrigued with everything he said. I never realized that Harlem had two sections and that it was rapidly changing for the better (this article explains how) and that even Bill Clinton has an apartment there. His life story and thoughts on education and religion brought new ideas into me I had never thought about before. I also found the early history of Harlem to be ironic in the fact that it was originally built for the middle/upper class but turned out that the lower classes moved there. Sylvia's restaurant brought a new type of food I had for the most part never had before. The best part of the trip I thought was the Apollo Theater where Hausch sang to the Lion King and we all got to walk on the stage. When Billy sang classic African-American music from the 40s-70s and we joined in with him it brought out a sense of their family-like culture. I am holding out hope that our singing will be broadcasted by the BBC as there was a journalist there (not really tho). Finally, visiting the Mosque and listening to the Brother changed my attitude of thinking that Muslims are very uptight and strict but he proved otherwise with his stories. I was disappointed that we did not have enough time to ask questions but I'm sure I'll get over it quickly. Overall I thought the trip was "good money".

Malcolm X Post 4

As I read each chapter of the Autobiography of Malcolm X I would follow along with the movie with Malcolm being played by Denzel Washington. I think watching this movie in pace with my reading helped me to visualize better Malcolm's surroundings and settings. Although it did skip over some key events, overall it allowed me a better picture into the era. Also, it portrayed the characters differently than I usually first thought about them when I was reading. While I was watching parts of this film and after the trip to Harlem (and Neal mentioning it) the Denzel Washington movie American Gangster. Although the time frame in which the movie took place in Harlem was about 10 years after Malcolm's death, I feel that Malcolm could have made a difference in the drug business and Harlem's community. I also just find it ironic that Denzel played someone who built up Harlem but then plays someone who destroys Harlem. I can relate to this because my Grandfather would tell me stories about how on his way to work he would be approached to buy drugs and even guns. He used (and still does) work in the Bronx and would go through Harlem sometimes to get there and he is glad and has watched its renovation throughout the years.

Malcolm X Post 3

For Malcolm, going to jail turned out to be a godsend... literally. Immediately when he starts to talk about his conversion to the Nation of Islam while incarcerated I thought of the movie The Longest Yard. Although completely different time periods and for crimes committed, both Malcolm X and the fictional Paul Crewe find a type of salvation and realize their past wrongdoings. After watching the movie American History X, ironically an incarcerated neo-Nazi discovers his beliefs and ideas about minorities are wrong while being surrounded by black inmates. Malcolm on the other hand discovers the complete opposite, thinking that whites are pure evil and the devil's "children" and starts to learn about a new sect of Islam- the Nation of Islam- which is completely anti-white.  

While reading these last couple of chapters (10+) it has been hard to understand why Malcolm X would ever believe the teachings of the honorable Elijah Muhammad... but I then try to view it in a black incarcerated man's shoes instead of a white middle class student. Trying to do this has helped me to view and understand his reasoning and even has helped me to see people's differing views in everyday life as well. 

Malcolm X Post 2

So far I'm up to Chapter 10 in The Autobiography of Malcolm X and I have changed my opinion about Malcolm multiple times already but have also seen many connections to my life and the people around me. 

First off, I find it very important how Malcolm X starts off in his young adult years around and suing drugs heavily. He comments a lot about how he used marijuana or "reefers", cocaine, and drank heavily. After he becomes addicted he starts selling them and risks a lot doing so as he was always being followed or watched by the cops. During his use he becomes more and more crazed by often threatening people and his own life. Especially when he scares he robbery partners by playing Russian roulette with himself to show his power and lack of fear. He also forces a merchant marine at gunpoint to give him the gun he is pointing at him. I do believe that it is important that he realizes his insanity later on as he describes "Looking back, I think I really was at least slightly out of my mind. I viewed narcotics as most people regard food" (pg 41) He also decides to give up drugs and smoking while in jail that lasts his lifetime. 

I think it is interesting how Malcolm thinks little of racial slurs in his young years even though they surround him. While reading these past couple days I connected with this by hearing about the possibly racial cartoon drew in the New York Times about a chip representing Barrack Obama. 

I find it funny in a way how Malcolm is arrested by fixing a stolen watch. After all that he has been through with drugs, prostitution, and robbery he gets caught by being and idiot. This is exactly just how the famous gangster Al Capone got caught with only tax fraud instead of murder, drug, and money laundering charges. Although this turns out to be come a good point in Malcolm's life I wonder if it leads to more "silly" mistakes by Malcolm throughout his life.

Movie, Privileges, and DIscussion

Alright pretty intense last two days in English class between racial slurs and white race privileges. First off, I want to say that I agree with Greg's (controversial) view on white privileges and racism. As for the video, I was not surprised but was upset over the slurs and perceptions on african americans. Many of them were treated like mascots just as Malcolm had described them in his second chapter. I am also glad that we are taking a field trip to Harlem so we can experience more diverse places. I hope we are able to have more discussions and watch more vids to allow for us to connect more to the book.

Malcolm X- 1st Post

I have really enjoyed the interesting first 4 chapters of Malcolm X. The fact that Malcolm told it during his rise to fame is an unusual circumstance. He draws many comparisons between the way he views life now and how he viewed life the exact opposite way back when he was growing up. It is also fascinating to hear a completely different lifestyle and setting than mine. In chapters one and two, the fact that he was able to overcome losing his father, losing his mom, and being "shipped" around to different foster homes I predict foreshadows the person he becomes when older. He also seems to have the ability to interact with many different people as well. While reading this book I did ask myself one question... Why would Malcolm X want to start telling his life story at out a young age of 37-39 when he didn't know he would be killed?