- In what way(s) does Malcolm X connect his personal story to a critique of race in the US?
- He critiques white people, of course, but he also critiques some black people. Whom and why?
- He also critiques systems--capitalism, social mores, etc. Did you notice examples of this? Where?
- Malcolm X spends some time discussing interracial dating. How did you react to these scenes?
- Why do you think it made such a big impact when his teacher, Mr. Ostrowski, tells Malcolm that it's "unrealistic" to want to be a lawyer?
- What role does slang play in the book?
- What is the significance of hair-straightening in the book?
- What role does Laura play in the book? Why does Malcolm X devote a chapter to her?
- What questions do you have about the book so far? What direction do you predict it will take?
Monday, September 9, 2019
Beginning Malcolm X
As we start reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, I'd like us to think about the following questions:
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Malcolm critiques black people who act as if they were above other blacks due to where they lived even though they held jobs that were just giving them enough money to keep their homes. even with these jobs they still had to rent out their homes to other people. he even states how they are trying to act like white people.
ReplyDeletei think this is really apparent and going to be relevant through out the whole book, similar to the hair straightening, black people who lived in a bit of an upper class looked down on lower class black people. just because they had a few more luxuries they thought they were superior however they never truly compared to white people.
Deletei think when Malcolm x teacher said he couldnt be a lawyer because he was black effected him so much because this what probably one of the first times he realized him being black would effect what he wanted to do negatively through out his whole life
ReplyDeletei agree with you because what his teacher said change Malcolm a lot because the teacher crushed his dreams in a way. Also i always thought if his teacher never said that to him would every changed about him or would it be the same regardless.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about Malcolm X's criticisms of middle class black people. Of course, I can't stand snobs either, but I wonder if we should beat up on people who are just trying to get by in the world. It strikes me as "punching down." You could argue that its the racist system that creates these types of competitions between black people. There is such a small pie to share out at this historical period and the racist system has created two worlds, one for white people and one for everyone else. That way, blacks are put in the position of competing w/ other blacks since they can't go to white schools or live in white neighborhoods or have white jobs and compete w/ white people.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this. I don't take too much fault with the black people for being this way, and acting like they are better than other blacks. It's wrong, that's for sure, but those ideas weren't sprouted from nothing. I think that the unjust societal standards are to blame for the middle class blacks acting the way they did. However, I wished that the middle class blacks and the lower class blacks united with each other, rather than compete with each other.
Delete1.) Malcolm X connects his story by talking so much on how black people wanted to become "white". also referring to himself from the future saying how stupid he was, and saying how he "lost his self-dignity," when he got the "conk." he talks about his own observation and talks about how his father who was a dark black man favored him for being white, saying that unconsciously black people favored lightskined black people. He also described the separation of the "Four hundred" and the "town" section.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because Malcom puts a lot of emphasis on that topic. He shows how lightskinned are treated different and better than the dark blacks. He establishes this difference by telling his experience and how he was treated at school or inside his foster home. I think he did that to make us feel more closer to his experience as black.
DeleteSignificance of hair straightening?
ReplyDeleteThere was only one time Malcolm got his hair straightened on a regular basis and that's when he truly integrated into Bostons city culture and was a hustler. He says "this was first real big step toward self-degration: when i endured all of that pain, literally burning my flesh to have it look like that of a white man's hair. I had joined that multitude of negro men and women in america who are brainwashed into believing black people are "inferior" and white people are "superior"." it is so significant because in that time people truly believed white people were superior and in order to be respected or treated with dignity you have to look, dress, and talk the part.
i agree to what you say, like he said in the beginning of the book he talked about how black people are subconsciously programmed to think whatever white people wore or appeared to look "white."
DeleteI think what Mr.Ostrowski says about Malcolm X that, being a lawyer is unrealistic made a big impact on Malcolm because, his teacher always encouraged his students to find a career that you want and when Malcolm heard this discouragement for the first time from someone who was positive, it made him feel angry.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree a teacher should always encourage their students and never discourage them.I also felt that what his teacher said to him made him doubt himself in a way.
DeleteWhat role does slang play in the book?
ReplyDelete-I believe slang in this book plays a big role because it creates a friendly approach to the readers .
Why do you think it made such a big impact when his teacher, Mr. Ostrowski, tells Malcolm that it's "unrealistic" to want to be a lawyer?
-I believe it made such a big impact on Malcolm when his teacher told him it's unrealistic to want to become a lawyer .Because as young child hearing such comments about your goals could have a detrimental effect on the child's future and behavior.
I think it made such a big impact when his teacher, Mr. Ostrowski, tells Malcolm that it's "unrealistic" for you to be a lawyer because the teacher is the only one who can motivate or demotivate student's. Even though when you grow up, you get to learn that every teacher is like your biggest support outside of your house because they are the ones who lead you to secure your future and help you whenever you need, so I don't believe it's good to be racist with anyone and tell someone that "you can't do it" when they have ability to do.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X critiques the race of the US through his personal story by mentioning the struggles he had growing up in society as an African American. Malcolm's tells us in the story how members of the Klu Klux Klan would try and bombard their houses as well as other African American families in Omaha, Nebraska. During this time period racism against colored people was to it's core and unfair. Malcolm also mentioned how him and his family were being threatened to leave this town by white people. When Malcolm went to school teachers and kids would tease and pick on him because of his skin color. He was even told by his teacher that he shouldn't be a lawyer when he grows up which made him feel very discouraged.
ReplyDeleteAnd with discouragement come failure to some. But it hasn't stopped Malcolm from achieving his dreams. His aspirations and discipline and is what affected the society today. I agree with is 100%
DeleteMalcolm X sees the whites as superior to the backs inferior. He wanted to really put them as both equals and not be marginalized in a way where it affects society such as war and violence. The main reason for the use of slag in the book is to show that the blacks are not referred as to their real names, but as a classification the the same word that is based on the topic which is that of "black", for example "negros', "the good negros", etc. The way in which the book is put out, I think it is to show individuals of the different races the beliefs and understandings of what Malcolm X trys to put out. That of which comes with his honesty and observations
ReplyDeleteWhen Mr. Ostrowski tells Malcolm that its "unrealistic" for him to became a lawyer, he felt very hurt because for what people, no matter how good student a "black" person is, for white people they are not smart enough to aspire such careers. white people dint appreciate what "black" people would do and their efforts on became someone better. in conclusion even though white people would treat them on a nice way, they didn't consider them as part of the society and most important, they will not accept them as part of it.
ReplyDeleteI predict that in the book, it will show how Malcolm becomes a person that the Africans look up to when fighting against racism which, will probably lead to protest and fights. Another prediction I have about the book is that, we will see how Malcolm X forms a family when we see he is a mature person compared to how he was, when he was younger when he would fool around with his friends and stay out late.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X critiques white people but also judges black people because he sees that they are trying to be white in some ways like on how they want to live in an expensive neighborhood even if they can't really afford living in those houses. They are trying to imitate white people because they don't want others to look down on them. The role that slang play in the book is that it helps the readers to connect with the writer. Also, I think what Mr. Ostrowski said about Malcolm made a big impact on him because a teacher is some way your second parent outside your home so they should help motivate their students like what parents really do. But I don't think you should let this affect you. If you know you are capable of doing it you should pursue it even what other people say about you.
ReplyDeleteThe role that Laura play's in the book is big. It's big because Laura is a white chick and she was interested in Malcolm X who was a negro. Malcolm X didn't know why she was interested in him. However he never questioned it either. At the end of the chapter Malcolm blames himself for not treating her right because she was a white women. For the reasons of who she is now.For examples he blames himself for Laura becoming a alcoholic, defying her grandmother,going out late, and selling her self. Malcolm explains that he just acted like many other back men. In his words " I was just deaf, dumb, and blind. Malcolm devoted a chapter just on her because he realized that he treated her wrong. Deep down he probably wishes he did things differently with a different outcome. Not only for him but for Laura too.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal opinion i think that Malcolm X devote a whole chapter to Laura because she was the first girl who catches his attention, besides she had so many characteristics that Malcolm likes about her as she was nerd, shy and she liked dance, she acted in a way friendly and natural. In addition, Malcolm was amazed by how great Laura is at dancing since he's never danced with someone who moves as gracefully as she does. Laura had a big impact in Malcolm's life because the were good friends and they connected very well in dance. Maybe at some point they could understood each other very well. They loved dance something that both of them had in common. Also, Laura seems to be a much more honest and genuine person than the others customers; as both sincere and educated, she symbolizes the best of both worlds, which is exactly the kind of life Malcolm will one day try to live. Maybe she was the kind of girl he was looking for to be able to have a good started in Boston.
ReplyDeleteHe talked about the things he had to suffer through as a negro and how other negroes in US were going through the same thing. He talked about how Negro men didn't have any professions and were expected to be ruthless and rough. He critiqued his sister Ella who was a black woman yet she was strong. Her voice had power and she stood for what she believed was right. I noticed an example of his criticism of society when he started living with Mrs swerline. They would treat him like a pet and he felt objectified because he was negro and Mrs swerline and her friends were white.
ReplyDeleteIt was totally normal for me when he brought up interracial dating this is because nowadays it's a very common thing. Though it was upsetting that how back then people made a big deal out of interracial dating. When his teacher called his dream of becoming a lawyer unrealistic it made a great impact because his teacher for encouraging white students to follow their dreams but he brought down Malcolm's courage by bringing his race in and telling him he can't have such high goals.
The slang in the book is very confusing and also offensive to black people, there's barely any bad words for whites.
The hair straightening in the book shows how people are rich and classy. Laura was introduced in the book as a innocent little highschool girl who changed her ways in a bad way after she started hanging out h Malcolm. He devoted a chapter to her because he believed he was the reason she was turned into a bad person.I don't really have questions about the book except the slang really confuses me. I think this book will talk about Malcolm's adulthood experience and reveal his character and characteristics.
Hi Laiba: Great response! I'd be interested in hearing what you mean about the slang being "offensive to black people." Are you saying that Malcolm X is making racist comments in the book or quoting white people who make racist comments? Also, I don't know what all of the slang means either, but don't you think you can figure it out via context clues? If not, you should quote it here to see if other people know what it means.
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