Malcolm X writes of how mathematical geniuses like West Indian Archie became numbers runners and writes that, "in another kind of society, their exceptional mathematical talents might have been better used" (135). Why didn't mid-century America better use their talents?
I believe he said this because Archie wasn't white and during the mid- century only whites were considered successful. For example blacks were only considered as failures and were not respected. The whites believed that they were too smart for blacks and the blacks were not smart. Though Malcolm talked about how him and Sammy tricked the cops into thinking that they were lost and looking for a specific address. When in reality they were the thieves the cops were supposed to catch. This is why if we had someone as genius as Archie we would actually respect them and out his mind to work regardless his race.
Hi Laiba: This is a very good response. I wonder about the idea that white people didn't think that black people were smart. I think that you, and Malcolm X, are right about this. But I wonder if it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. In other words, in order for white people to maintain their superior position in society, they HAVE to think this. Otherwise, they would have to accept how unfair society is.
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