Group Critique

I hope that everyone is doing satisfactory with their assignments. Remember that if you are struggling with you sources always ask somebody preferably a teacher or librarian. Make sure to cite your sources as well in the proper format. We all love neat assignments. You can do it!!!

Malcolm X

The first time Hailey interview Malcolm X  he asked him about his mother, which made a huge impact on him because he realize that he haven't talk about her for a long time, he feel like he blocked her out of his mind so he dint think bout all the staffs she went through been in the mental hospital. And I think that this is the reason why he do not have a good relationship with women, because he didn't really spent time with his mother so he didn't get the chance to build a relationship with her. that is why its very hard for him talk about her.

Final Thoughts

I never really knew who Malcolm X was or things that he achieved, my U.S history teacher loved Malcolm X and would tell us somethings that he would do. But she'll in a way tell us the good things that he would do, reading this book I see that all of the great men and women who have created something with their names. All started from somewhere and that most of them all had a horrible childhood, reading Malcolm X's story of his childhood and the devious acts that he would do when he was an adolescent. Even in his death showed how influential he was with all his followers that supported him and spread his fight for the black community.

epilogue thoughts

Hailey, when he first was interviewing Malcolm X, asked about his mother. Why does this make an impact on Malcolm X?



this was the turning point of the creation of the beginning of the book in my opinion. Alex Haley expressed how he was struggling, their first interviews together consisted mainly of Malcolm talked about Elijah Muhammad, the NOI, he didn't open up about himself and when Haley suggested the book is about his life, not the religion Or Elijah Muhammads life, Malcolm shut that down and got frustrated and would be moody for the rest of the session. When Haley asked Malcolm about his mother, he caught him off guard. Haley recalled he wasn't sure how he got the nerves, but he asked Malcolm if he would tell him something about his mother. the question hit Malcolm, he was pacing and abruptly stopped, he recalled how him and his siblings went hungry, how their mother stretched food for as long as she could. he also reflected how it made him realize how he had been putting her off, not thinking about her, and when Haley brought it up it made him realize that and actually spoke to his siblings and she waas released from the mental instuition.

Hailey, when he first was interviewing Malcolm X, asked about his mother. Why does this make an impact on Malcolm X?

This made a impact on Malcolm X because he doesn't really talk about his mother at all the only time he talked about her was in the begging of the book that it, but after that he doesn't really talk about her. i think he doesn't really talk about her because its will probably bring up old memories about his past early life. but also talking about his mom maybe be a big topic to talk about, and especially with what happen with his dad and how he died made a big impact on her. we all know talking about your mother is very hard or you just want to keep it private and too yourself.

Why does Hailey leave napkins out when he interviews Malcolm X?

Alex Haley had put out napkins on the table for Malcolm to write his thoughts. He was free writing the thinks he knew from the past and the facts that he held with it. He wanted people to know the truth, therefore, there wasn't any use of rhetorical questions on the written napkin. He was open-minded and knew what he wanted to say by writing only the facts. Somehow, though he didn't believe in Alex Haley as much, he still showed a form of respect for him. He wrote a specific quote saying "If Christianity had asserted itself in Germany, six million Jews would have lived". That had me thinking maybe if Malcolm had achieved that specific goal, maybe he wouldn't have died. I believe that fate is everything. Meaning the smallest change that you could make or that of one indiscretion in you life could change you life forever. Everything that Malcolm had did, his fate is what led him to the tragedy that had taken place. To think about it more, what if Malcolm hadn't read that book in prison? What if he was still selling reefers, taking drugs and causing mischief on the streets of Harlem? What if the blacks and the white lived in harmony? There are so many decisions that people make in their lives that makes them into who they are in the future and with that comes a lot of obstacles. Malcolm left Alex Haley with one of the most important information written only on a piece of napkin.  What Alex is trying to convey in this Epilogue is to show and/or trace the last two years of Malcolm's life from Alex's point of view. There they emphasize of Malcolm's assassination. Think about it like this, what if Malcolm had not written anything on that piece of napkin?

Alex Hailey

              Malcolm has been through a lot in his life and he has met a lot people. As he did all of this maybe his trust towards people began to thin out and he didn't trust people as easily as he used to in his younger days. For some reason though he called Alex Hailey and told him that he trusted him seventy percent and not another word. This could be interpreted in two different ways, this could mean that Alex could be of the few people that he can absolutely trust or that he is skeptical about Alex and needs to keep a closer eye on them. In the end Alex Hailey wrote the biography for Malcolm X so I believe that he trusted Alex Hailey.   

How does your point of view change your perception of the book after reading Alex Hailey's perspective?

After reading Harley's point of view I could notice he had a good relationship with Malcolm X because he describes his death in very detail and express with a lot of emotion. Also Harley develops this relationship very curious because he used to left these cards to understands more about Malcolm's thoughts. this is very important because shows that Malcolm opened up with Harley and was interested on his project. This perspective change my point of view about the book because he made a mix between autobiography and biography based on Malcolm's experiences and his own experience. 

Response to one of the epilogue questions

What is the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, told him he trusted him 70%, and hung up? What is your sense about their relationship? 

The significance of Malcolm X calling Alex Hailey in the middle of the night and telling him that he trusted him 70% must mean that Alex gained Malcolm X's Trust. The reason why I say this is because, in the epilogue when Alex Hailey first met Malcolm X to discuss with him how he wanted to write a book based on him, Malcolm X judged him as a African who was hired by a white person to spy on him. Malcolm X at first kept his guard up with Alex but, when time came along they would have conversations like, Alex calling him when he would return to New York. As they would get to know each other more it seems that Malcolm X has a realization that maybe Alex isn't such a bad person to trust.

The Epilogue

The epilogue is a very important part of the book. I think the narration from Alex Haley truly does provide a new perspective to the book. Yes, it allows us to see things from his eyes, but we also get to see how much Malcolm X meant to African Americans all over the United States. When Haley describes his death, its very graphic. He describes how it impacted the people who were directly influenced by Malcolm X's words and his teachings. I think that his death truly did impact a lot of people, as he was seen as a symbol of hope to many.

On the first page of the epilogue, Hailey refers to the Nation of Islam as a cult, not a religion. What tone does this word set? 
This word sets a tone that says that Nation of Islam was was scam. As in they made this type community where they had their own version of Islam to attract people to the wrong path. Even when I was reading about Nation of 
Islam there were several things I found strange. As in saying god is black and men are superior than woman. This is not true because I as a Muslim whose been practicing Islam have never heard of such things. We believed god as a light of hope which called "noor" in Arabic. We believe god doesn't have a physical body shape or anything. Also women have a lot of rights in Islam which protect them from this evil world. Though in nation of Islam Elijah Muhammad made up things and created a delusional thing which he called a religion and used showed wrong believes and rules of Islam. Islam never teaches anyone to bring others down but Elijah Muhammad used Islam to make blacks rebel against whites so he could be famous. Therefore, I agree with Haley that Nation of Islam was a cult not a religion. 

Epilogue/ finishing Malcolm X opinion

• What is the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, told him he trusted him 70%, and hung up? What is your sense about their relationship? 

When Malcolm first began to open up to Haley, he told him he trusted him about 20 or 25 percent. He told him he doesn't trust anyone fully, not even himself, or his wife. As the epilogue goes on you can realize that Malcolm opens up to Alex more, in the way he become more relaxed around him, invited him to come with him places he was going to speak or address a crowd. He would meet Haley at the airport when he went out of town, and they truly developed a relationship and friendship that wasn't spoken about in the book. I think it was so significant that Malcolm randomly called him in the middle of the night, and told him he trusted him 70 percent and then hung up, and then never spoke about it because it shows how much trust Malcolm really gained for Alex while writing the book, during their interviews when they would meet. They never spoke about it, and a few occurrences like that happened in the epilogue where things happened and they never really talked about it, but in this instance Alex Haley lay awake thinking about the phone call after it happened, and it made him feel good and sincere to Malcolm. IN the beginning of the epilogue, when Haley first reflects on starting the book, he talked about giving up and being unsure he would be able to create an autobiography of Malcolm x because they had quite a rough start, but by the end, by the time Malcolm told Haley he trusted him 70 percent, they had grown a friendship that I don't think either of them thought they would had.

Malcolm X when it came to women

Malcolm X treated women, since the beginning of the book. Like they're unequal or women are there just to be there. But we also have to take in consideration that in the 40's-60's women weren't being treated as equal, more or less treated as commodities for men. He truly didn't have as much regard for the emotion of the women he's been with it, for example Laura the way he just dropped her to go for Sophia. Even how he address women, but then when you look at the way Alex Haley talks about women in the epilogue and you get the sense that Malcolm wasn't the only one treating women bad or in better word unequal. 

On the first page of the epilogue, Hailey refers to the Nation of Islam as a cult, not a religion. What tone does this word set?

In my perspective, I believe he found the Nation of Islam as a cult, not a religion because the way it starts it's own movement and preaches the difference between how whites are evil, but not the other color or race. Whereas in religion, they just follow their own customs and practices without saying anyone bad or good.

Final Thoughts

 My final thoughts on the Malcolm X book was that it showed me how america was in his perspective during his time. The events that transpired during these times surprised me because of how Malcolm and the government handled these situations  . Also in this book it surprises me how gender was represented for example Malcolm's X assistant which he called "lady assistant" . One thing that hasn't changed is the Violence that took place then which is till happening to this day in our country.

What is the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, told him he trusted him 70%, and hung up? What is your sense about their relationship?
- I believe the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night and told him he trusted him 70% and hung up because I believe after every interview Malcolm started to trust and open up to Hailey because he misjudged. The sense about their relationship was crucial at first because Malcolm believed every reporter served white America . 

Epilogue / Finishing up Malcolm X

The Epilogue is the only chapter of the book that is told directly from Alex Hailey's perspective. How does this point of view change your perception of the book? What new things did you learn about Malcolm X by reading this section? We probably hear more about Sister Betty in this section than any other in the book. How does it shape your perception of her?

Some other questions:

• On the first page of the epilogue, Hailey refers to the Nation of Islam as a cult, not a religion. What tone does this word set? 
• Why does Hailey leave napkins out when he interviews Malcolm X? 
• What is your sense of Malcolm X's view towards women? 
• Hailey, when he first was interviewing Malcolm X, asked about his mother. Why does this make an impact on Malcolm X?
• What is the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, told him he trusted him 70%, and hung up? What is your sense about their relationship? 

Spend some time this week reflecting on what you learned by reading this book. You'll need to return to the book for the final exam so now might by be a good time to reflect on the central messages you found here. 

writing assigment- Subcultures

I quite enjoyed this assignment because it allows us to explore different aspects of our subculture and interact within the environment. When we had a group critique I could notice many people understood the purpose and topic of my subculture and I was able to set an argument and define my subculture. This also happened when I was reading my classmate's essays I liked the diversity of subcultures and I could learn different things about those subcultures.

My subcultural topic

For this assignment i choose my religion because its a subcultural topic and when i tell people what is my religion people would just stare at me or say what's the name again or say i never heard of it. My religion is very isolated and you don't learn about it in school or anything its very small community. My religion is call Mandaean we believe in both John the baptist who baptized jesus and also we believe in spiritual stuff too.

Subcultures

When writing about subcultures, make sure you have a plan from before. Make sure that you focus on your primary source first, for example if you want to plan an interview, you need to know with that subculture, is it safe and secure. If you do not find it comfortable, but still wish to do so, try going online and search for people who built a relationship with that subculture. That way you are able to contact them via e-mail, text, etc. Not only subcultures are groups, but they are people as well. Try to have a broad mind, look at thinks specifically but widely at the same time. You can do it!!!

The Hajj

The Hajj is a place where Muslims can pilgrimage in Mecca. This religious duty has to be done in this place because is considered a holy place and the word "Hajj" itself means house of Allah. This process can last 5 or 6 days in the last month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj also is part of the five pillars of the Islam which means basic acts or tasks for believers. and Hajj is the second largest annual gathering for Muslims.

Muzdalifa

Muzdalifa

is an open, level area near Mecca in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia that is associated with the Hajj. It lies just southeast of Mina, on the route between Mina and Arafat. In the book, Malcolm X is staying the area of Muzdalifa while performing Hajj. In the books he states he was "sleeping with eight or ten others on a mat in the open. ... with nothing but the sky overhead i lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers. As the description says the area is level which allowed for many people to be accommodated in that area. 

cairo proper noun

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo
In the book Malcom X is traveling to Saudi Arabia and one of the places he visits is Cairo. Cairo is also know as Masr,  or Egyptian Arabic. Cairo has limited space in a way. Considering 1992, they were hit with a severe earthquake.Since then they have been taking some steps to have urbanization. Having buildings in Cairo. symbolized wealth. It is not really a fortunate place looking at it closely and does not have every typical restaurant you would see in America. They are on a road to successfully building back their city to the way it needs to be.

The Hajj

The Hajj  is a pilgrimage, or religious trip, that Muslims try to make at some point in their live. The Hajj is taken to the city of Mecca, the holiest site of Islam. The Hajj is one of the Pillars of Islam. This include faith, prayer, charity, and fasting. Muslims are expected to make the Hajj at least one in their lives. Also this demonstrates Muslim solidarity. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation for all Muslims.

Prince Faisal- Malcom X

Prince Faisal
Born  as Faisal I Bin Hussein Bin Ali Al-Hashemi, was a king of Arab kingdom of Syria in 1920 and latter on he will became the king of Iraq too. During world war I he was the leader in Advancing Arab nationalism. He was the son of the Sharif of Mecca Hussayn Bin. He play an important role during the Arab revolt, he works with the military in campaigns against the Ottomans. He was know also because of his ability to meet with unknown people and to win their recognition of Hussayn as an Arab leader. He made a lot of trips in different countries to try to establish peace in Syria however some countries seems to not cooperate, France was an example of it, when he went in a conference, he realize French determination on establish s sphere of influence in Syria and Lebanon. and he died on September 8, 1933.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_I_of_Iraq

Prince faisal

Prince Faisal

While reading Malcolm X  he mentions Prince Faisal, the king of Saudi Arabia. He reign from  November 2 1964 to March 25 1975. He set forward a total abolition of slavery in 1965. On 25 March 1975 King Faisal was shot point-blank and killed by his half-brother's son, Faisal bin Musaid, who had just come back from the United States. The murder occurred at a Majlis, an event where the king or leader opens up his residence to the citizens to enter and petition the king.

Prince Faisal Ruler Of Arabia(Chapter 18)

Prince Faisal ruler of Arabia was born on April 14,1906 and died on March 25,1975 age 68. He was assassinated by his nephew Faisal Bin Musaid. Prince Faisal had a lot of controversy during his time ruling. During chapter 18 Malcom X went to see him and he was lost of words when he was meeting Faisal and they talked about a lot of things about what's going on. during his reigns some people didn't agree with what he was doing even thought while other the agree with him. he also have politics experiences before going into power. I leaned a lot about him and didn't even know who he was and what he did until I read chapter 18. I was shock to find out that his nephew was the one who killed him, the whole situation was messy and everything happened so fast and quickly. This is what I leaned about today.

Chapter 18-Grand Mufti of Jerusalem

This is the Sunni Islamic (the largest denomination of Islam) who was mainly the ones to take charge of Jerusalem's holy places.  As seen in the chapter of Malcolm X, he described them in a specific way, saying that they are of very high authority. He was fitted in a ceremonial dress had attendants rushing downstairs to see him,coming and kissing his hands of some sort. Malcolm had gotten the chance to speak with  him and whet he had realized was that he was a man of great dignity and knowledge. He knew much about the world and it's affairs that most people do not quite know of. However, in that period, there were no "Grand Mufuti of Jerusalem", but that of  the notorious Mohammad Amin al-Husayni. He was a Jew killer. Meaning, he worked hand in hand with Adolf Hitler of the Nazi to kill all the Jews. Whether in a congregation or simply just spotted outside, the Grand Mutfi would do his utmost to kill them. It must be a great deal for Malcolm to talk with such a highly dangerous and authoritative individual.


http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/2008/04/a_cordial_man_o.html

Friedman, Robert I. (2001-12-06). "And Darkness Covered the Land". The Nation. Retrieved 2007-09-13.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Mufti_of_Jerusalem#cite_note-1

Malcolm X Proper Noun

Cairo

Cairo  is the Capital Of Egypt and located on the continent of Africa it was also cited in Malcolm X autobiography in 1965 . Chapter 17. To begin Malcolm's Journey he travels to foreign places to expand his knowledge about about Islam .He begins his pilgrimage to Cairo then flies afterward to Jedda, Saudi Arabia when he is found in some issues at the airport.

A Proper Noun is a name used for a specific place ,person or even a organization or company .

Finals thoughts on the book

Overall, I'm excited to read the epilogue and see Alex Haley's perspective on writing the book. I really enjoyed learning about Malcolm X and the religion he stood for, the rights and wrongs of it, and how he truly devoted his life to what he believed in. I hope to one day feel so strongly and passionate about something as Malcolm X felt for the Nation is Islam. The book was very well put together and I'm curious to know is Alex Haley will reminisce on the death of Malcolm X and how exactly it happened, otherwise I'll definitely research more about his death and after life. I am also curious more about Allah and why now in today's society, Allah Akbar is something that isn't really aceccpted to say out loud nowadays and isn't really spoken about as much at least in my generation, it isn't reflected upon or taught to us, about what it is and the importance, I think it was intriguing and cool to being to learn about.

Mt. Arafat

Proper noun :Mt.Arafat  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Arafat

In chapter 18, Malcolm X goes to Mt.Arafat to do a special prayer. He describes how he begun to learn new prayers he did not know off. As he learns the new prayers he starts to have difficulty doing the physical prayers because his toe started to swell. Mt.Arafat is considered an important place in Islam because during the Hajj, pilgrims spend the afternoon there on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah. Also According to the Muslim Religion,Muhammad stood and delivered the sermon to the Muslim people who accompanied him for the hajj toward the end of his life. 

Muzdalifa

Muzdalifa
 While I was reading Chapter 18, Malcolm mentioned about Muzdalifa it is an open, level area near Mecca in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia that is associated with the Ḥajj, while he was talking about remembering this place it sounded so interesting to me because it made me think what is special in this place and this place is where they ask forgiveness to Allah. Also muslims travel to Muzdalifa and arrived very late because of over crowding. After the pilgrims arrive they pray all together.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzdalifah

Proper noun?

Professor Essien-Udom was born in October 25, 1928- May 27, 2002. he was born in Ikot Osong, Eastern Providence, Nigeria. His full name is Essien Udonsen Essien-Udom, he was greeted by Malcolm X in Lagos, where the Professor taught in Ibadan University. They meet prior to this encounter in in the U.S, when the Professor was doing research for his book Black Nationalism which was a book on Black Nationalism which were an influence to the Black Islam movement such as the Nation of Islam that was led by Elijah Muhammad.

Kwame Nkrumah

           When Malcolm went to mecca he had the honor of meeting Osagyefo DrKwame Nkrumah. Born on September 21 1909, he was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana. For his presidency, he was in office from July 1st 1960 to February 24th 1966. His term for Prime Minister lasted from March 6th 1957 to July 1st 1960. While Dr Kwame was the prime minister the Queen of Ghana at the time was Queen Elizabeth the II. When Malcolm met Dr Kwame Nkrumah they seemed to agree on the same things.

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwame_Nkrumah

Noun Hajj

A Noun is a specific name, in Malcolm X, Chapter 18, he mentions different places he visited, such as Lebanon, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Morocco. All of these places located in West Africa. While in Mecca he visited a Hajj. 

Hajj : The Hajj, a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Mecca, is one of the central pillars of Islam. All able-bodied Muslims are required to undertake the Hajj at least once in their lives.

He says he hopes that by next time he knows more Arabic, to be able to communicate better with them. Malcolm likes to be introduced to new ideas and he challenges himself with learning these ideas so he is able to share them with everyone else.

Mount Arafat

While I was reading Malcolm X, I noticed that he brought up Mount Arafat. Mount Arafat is a mountain in Saudi Arabia and an Islamic landmark. People often go on that landmark for their religious pilgrimage or Hajj.  The mountain is also known as, "The mountain of Mercy." It is a fundamental requirement for people to stand on Mount Arafat, and they usually do so on their second day of Hajj. Arafat translates as "to know," and the Islamic prophet said that "Hajj is to know." People who do not pray on Mount Arafat are said to have missed Hajj. Also, the people who fast on the day that they visit Mount Arafat are said to be cleansed of their sins in the previous year, and the future year. As a Muslim, it was required for Malcolm x to go on Hajj, and visit  Mount Arafat on the second day of Hajj.

Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois is mentioned several times in this chapter (I'm referencing p. 409). At the time of this writing he was dead. He died in 1963, the year before Malcolm X traveled to Ghana where his widow lived. Du Bois was one of the great black leaders of the first half of the 20th century in the US. He moved to Ghana for a research project and became a citizen of that country in 1963. The references to "ex-patriots" in the book are other black Americans who moved there. Ghana was a socialist govt. and a major proponent of pan-Africanism in the 1950s and '60s. Du Bois is often juxtaposed against Booker T. Washington (much as Malcolm X is juxtaposed against Martin Luther King, Jr.). Du Bois was a much more liberal and radical writer on African American civil rights that Washington who was conservative.

Proper noun Mecca

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca

After staring chapters 17 and 18 and beginning to learn about Malcolm's pilgrimage to Mecca, I did just look up on google quickly what was Mecca and where it was located because although I've heard the word before, I didn't know its meaning or location. Mecca, also spelled Makkah, is a city in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of Muhammad, and the pilgrimage, known as the Hajj is required by all able Muslims. I think it is interesting in the chapters where he visits Mecca how many people want to meet the "Muslim from America." it is a completely different part of the world, and for him to travel there and take the pilgrimage, was an amazing accomplishment and many people were intrigued and talking about the Muslim that came from America. Malcolm X received many honors, dinners, and parties thrown in his name and a lot of that commotion hadn't happened there since Dr. W E Debois had been there. I think it is interesting and eye opening all of the different religions, cultures,  languages, countries, and different experiences the autobiography of Malcolm X opened me up to and I enjoyed it very much.

Mecca

Mecca also know as Makkah holds a lot of value for a Muslim. It is located in Saudi Arabia in the Sirat mountains. It's important for a Muslim to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his life if he can afford it. Prophet Muhammad was born in mecca too and spread Islam on the Command of Allah throughout Saudi Arabia. Mecca is covered in black cloth that has gold embroidery on it. This cover is changed every year during Hajj which occurs on Eid ul Adha. A Muslim is blessed if he or she gets the opportunity to go to Hajj. Malcolm X was one of the blessed Muslim and the pilgrimage of Mecca changed his life in a good way and he got to know the real meaning of Islam.

malcolm x and ganja and hess

i think the role of violence against black people in both of the texts in very apparent in different ways. in ganja and hess, although dr greene is calm and appears collected and well put together, he is a blood addicted murdere, although not percieved as a vampire movie, he drinks peoples blood and supposedly lives forever, that to me would make anyone seem violent or sketchy in any vampire movie or scary movie nowadays, but i think perhaps when ganja and hess came out it was one of the first films of its kind to come out, so it was bound to have a lot of critique and judgement. it casted black charcaters like people haven't seen before, so maybe in that time it scared or intimidated white people. in malcolm x, however, I think the violence is on a different level but at the same time it could be compared to the aspect of the fear it instilled in some white people at that time, the though of black people having the same amount of power as them.

Response to Malcolm X journey to Mecca

Malcolm X's jorney to Mecca has a major impact on him and the book and I think its somewhat of a turning point. He is ultimately going against everything he once preached, he is astounded at how he is being treated by people in Mecca that appear to be "white men" In America, to him they would be considered just "white men", the devil, racist, but here they had treated him like how a king would be treated in America, not a negro. They treated him like a brother, they worshipped the same One God. I think the chapters where he goes to Mecca is somewhat of a turning point because at the time he had no idea the problems happening back in New York, and he wrote a letter to his assistants at his newly formed Muslim mosque in New york and he asked that the letter be released to the press, speaking about how he had been bleessd to visit the holy city of mecca, speaking to, eating with, praying with, people who America would have considered "white people" but their "white attitude" was removed from their minds by the religion of islam. Meanwhile, Malcolm x reflected in the book he had no idea that while in mecca there was news that he was the leader of a negro rifle club in harlem, the noi had a lawsuit against him, attempting to force him and his family to vacate his long island home. I am intrigued to see how the book will end and wrap up, and also alex haleys perspective at the last chapter.

Malcolm X, Mecca

Why did Malcolm X's Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca have such a profound impact on him? How and why did it change his views on white people? How did it help him reevaluate his interpretation of Islam?

Everything that we've read so far is what he said before he was assassinated. The final chapter, which we will read for next week, was written by Alex Hailey after Malcolm X was killed. What final thoughts do you have about the book? What questions do you still have?

Ganja and Hess

I think the movie has a really interesting plot. Probably the author has a deeper purpose for this movie, like an artistic-reflexive purpose. The only connection I found between Malcolm X and this film is the influence of religion groups on individuals' lives. Because in the end, Hess was able to eliminate his curse through the church. I agree that the film left us with a lot of questions and many of them were not answered even when the movie ends, but I enjoyed how the movie uses objects, effects, and music to create different environments and confusing the spectator.

Ganja And Hess

I still have so many questions about this film, but I definitely see how what we would call "art" is portrayed in it. From the African chanting to the rest of the soundtracks, readings and symbols. I really liked Hess, because he was more of an isolated being than ganja, the more outgoing one. In the first part of the movie, I was confused with the names. I though Meda was Ganja and Hess was "Dr. Green" and not knowing his name was Hess. Why did she kill Archie? I think that because Hess died, she wanted to hide all the evidence along with the revival of "dinner man" as an immortal being.

Ganja and Hess

I feel like the ending was meant to give closure to Ganja. He did say he wouldn’t allow nothing to happen anything to Ganja. So maybe he transformed the naked running man and he fed of Archie. I guess since Hess knew he was going to die, and wanted someone to protect her.

My overall opinion on the movie.

The movie Ganja and Hess was overall an interesting movie. We see in the movie Hess who drinks blood to survive and at the same time see him murder people. We also see Ganja who is evil like Hess. She has a personality of having things her way and having greed. A similarity that I was able to observe between Hess and Ganja is that they want to have things their  way and want to have control. I noticed that the movie shows the type of generation that there are in which is cool because we were able to see the type of vehicles they drove and the way they would speak to one another compared to today which is consisted mostly of technology. This movie definitely opened my mind to try to see other genres of movies out there in the world.

Question I have about Ganja and Hess?

The question I have about the movie is, if Ganja never found out about Hess killing her husband would the storyline be different?

The reason why I ask this question is because, in the movie we saw Hess somewhat change when he left the Church. It seems as if the Church was able to get rid of his curse. But we then see Hess die and Ganja have a smile in her face and see a male that she had sex with run out of the pool. In my opinion I think that the Church and Ganja had somewhat something to do with Hess dying. I think if Ganja would have never found out about her husband being dead, the story line would have been different which would possibly be Hess just dying because the Church got rid of his curse or someone else plotting to get him. The movie seems to show a unknown answer  of Hess dying. It shows that the Church had an effect and Ganja somewhat plotting something at the same time. It looks like there are two answers for the audience to choose on based on what they see.

What role does violence against black people play in both texts? 
In both texts blacks are known as a ruthless race which display violence as their nature. In Malcolm X he talked about how cops would always blame blacks even though they weren't at fault or their crime wasn't as big. For example when Malcolm gets caught doing robberies with Sophia he was sentenced for 10 years while Sophia was only punished for 5 years for doing the same crime. In Hess and Ganja they were drinking blood and killing people without caring. These acts make them stood out just like violence made the blacks stood out in 1900's. 

What connections can you make between Malcolm X and Ganja & Hess?
  Both Malcolm and ganja and Hess focus on the black race. Malcolm X talks about his hustle and struggle and how he stood out because of his color which is nor black enough for blacks and neither white enough for whites. Hess talks his struggle of being addicted to blood and not being able to live like a normal human. Both the novel and movie shows prostitution and use of alcohol. Also it barely shows any white men or talks about it. The story is mostly revolving around the blacks.  

What i think about the movie Ganja and Hess

After finishing watching the movie Ganja and Hess on Thursday it was very interesting movie. The movie had more questions than answers and it was very confusing to because i was trying to understand what was the premise of the movie. But it was kinda a vampire movie in away because Hess drinks people blood a lot.

Questions i have about the movie Ganja and Hess

The question i have about Ganja and Hess is that:

- Why is Hess doing all of these things and when did it started?

Answer: This all started when Meda stabbed Hess with the bone dagger and the dagger is cursed so once Meda stabbed Hessa he was cursed and started to have an addiction to drinking blood.

NY Times Interactive Map

what i think about the ethnic makeup of the neighborhood is there differents ethics  around new york and it was very interesting seeing the map. Also around my neighborhood there are more whites than people of color which i knew when my family first moved to whitestone.

Response to Spike Lee Interview

I read the Spike Lee interview you published in 2015 and I found it really interesting. I’ve never really read an interview honestly, and my dad is really into Spike Lee so I’ve seen a lot of his movies. Inside man and 25th hour are two of my dad and I’s favorites, But I also recently watched See You Yesterday which came out this year and was produced by Spike Lee and I think it was really well put together and it excited and interested me and had me intrigued. I havent ever heard of Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, but I think Ganja and Hess is a little bit confusing but interesting and I’m trying to grasp it so maybe after we finish it I’ll watch Spike Lee’s version I would be interested to see his take on it. I think it’s really cool that you got to interview him. Initially I got the sense that he maybe came off a little bit hostile, short answers and interrupting and correcting you, but as you furthered the interview and asked some more complex questions and mentioned you worked at a college, I sensed that he opened up a bit and was more willing to talk. It was definitely really cool to read and informative and relevant to the film we watched in class so it helped me a little better understand what goes on in the film.

Spike Lee Interview

I thought that you all might like to see an interview I did w/ Spike back in 2015, not long after his film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus came out. That film is a remake of Bill Gunn's Ganja & Hess which we're watching this week in class.

Nyc interactive map

I think that the map is a really cool perspective on the different type of nationalities in each part of the city and LI. I live on Long Island and around me it is mostly white people, which I did see on the map but also Hispanic and black are present too. It looks like primarily white people in a lot of manhattan, which doesn’t surprise me all that much because it is super expensive and I feel like a lot of white “high class” businessmen. I wouldn't say anything really surprises me because it seems to be quite accurate in my opinion from what I can tell, but I think its a cool map too and its interesting to see the nationality of each part.

Malcolm X and Ganja & Hess

This week we're screening the classic art film Ganja & Hess (1973, directed by Bill Gunn). It's hard to overestimate the effect that Malcolm X and other black nationalists had on the culture of the 1960s and '70s. The entire genre of Blaxsploitation film (Shaft [1971], Super Fly [1972] and many others) came out of the activism of the Civil Rights era. Even though often the politics in these films was submerged or even nonexistent, the films' very existence as cinema was political. Prior to the 60s, black people essentially didn't exist in films except in the role of servants or slaves. With Blaxsploitation, black men and women became the heroes of mainstream films.

• What connections can you make between Malcolm X and Ganja & Hess?
• What role does violence against black people play in both texts? 
• The myth of Icarus is important to Malcolm X's narrative (it's the title of Ch. 15). African mythology (and Christian) also seems to be important to Ganja & Hess. Discuss why these old stories are being used in these modern texts?
• Discuss the ways that G&H and Malcolm X differ narratively. Why would Bill Gunn choose to tell his film in such an unorthodox manner?

NY interactive Maps

I live in long island so there are mostly white, Spanish and black. In my neighborhood there are mostly black and Spanish working class family. I feel that the interactive map is more or less on correct with the cultures present in New York, but we"re also an extremely diverse state.

Why was the white man a devil, acording to the Muslims?

The people of Islam saw the whites as devils because they sought the white people as rulers that takes advantage of anybody who is not of their race. They oppressed the black men as what the blacks thought was "self defense" in conflictual activities was actually of harm to the white individuals, due to the fact that they tend to take things falsely. While Malcolm was in prison, he reminisced the days of when the white individuals have taken advantage of him and showed him the wrong path, which eventually lead him to the position he was in.

NY interactive map

The ethnic makeup of my neighborhood consist of asian, hispanic and white. The makeup of my neighborhood fits my perception of it because queens is known to be a very diverse place of many ethnicities. What surprised me about this map is that I saw how all of New York has certain parts where there are a mix of people and how certain areas may have one predominant race that lives in that certain part. Another thing that surprised me about this map is that, there are so many people that live in New York and how there are boroughs filled with them. I sometimes forget that there are a lot of people in New York since I am used to staying in one borough.

Response to if the Muslims would fight back if the white people started a fight

My answer to this is that I think that the Muslims would fight back. The reason why I say this is because if a person is antagonizing you, the person will have a reaction of self defense. Also, the white people at the time were trying to find ways to make the black people who are part of the muslim religion look as if they are bad people who are trying to do violent acts while the black people were trying to find ways to make job opportunities for their own kind and trying to educate their own race.

Malcom X and Elijah Muhammad

From my point of view I think Malcolm X was obsessed with Elijah Muhammad because Malcolm wanted to be like him or maybe better than him, since for Malcolm, Elijah was like a figure to follow, like a leader, a man who erected the idea that Blacks would never be treated the same way. Malcolm X also wanted to spread the voice of the Nation everywhere and for more people to join the Nation, besides Malcolm knew that he was capable of achieving anything since Malcolm was an intellectual person, he had a questionable language, and also the he had impeccable logic for the debate, which benefited him greatly.

NY Times Interactive Map

I thought that you might be interested in seeing this interactive map of NYC. What is the ethnic makeup of your neighborhood? Does it fit your perception of it? What surprises you about this map?

Blogging this week...

Since there is no reading due this week (10/10), there are no blogs due either. If you didn't do any entries last week, you can get credit this week for making them.

Why is the white man a devil, according to this version of Islam?

I believe the white man was recognized as devil because of how they discriminate and tortured black community.

Would a Muslim fight back If attacked?

In my Opinion I feel like Muslim would not fight back. they wouldn't fight back because of how strict their religion is. Muslims can't drink alcohol no matter what, they aren't suppose to use violence in anyway.  They have to go to church as much as they can. No insulting their wife or any women in general. They have to protect each other and their belief. Over all I do not think a muslim would fight back if they would be attacked they would probably just try to calm themselves down and the person they are being attacked from. Just try to talk it out.

Why was Malcolm obsessed with the Nation Of Islam?

I think Malcolm was obsessed wit the Nation Of Islam because represents all their ideals and is the concept that Bimbi taught to him because Malcolm always lived under violence and scams to gain respect from people or get some rewards, he learned this from a very young age  so when he saw Bimbi talking with education and people hearing him he knew NOI was the perfect place for him, He wanted something different, something new. He saw NOI as a chance to change the world he used to live that is why he was so committed to his job and Elijah because they gave Malcolm a reason to live, a purpose to fight for.

Why did Malcolm X wait to tell his story?

As we know his story was told by A. Harley so he didn't wait for something, really, but I think he gave the order to publish his autobiography after he learned from mistakes and experiences he went through. Also, He knew his story showed another perspective of the world, a perspective of a black man who was excluded and forced to went into the drug world and crime to survive in a society that benefits white people just because of their skin color. That is why his book made such an impact at that time and the current time because is so personal and makes us feel what he felt when he was living those injustices.

If Malcolm’s brother didn’t convert him

This question is really good because almost all of his actions in jail that were to better himself have been meant for belief in The Nation of Islam. So it’s hard to really believe what he could’ve done, in one hand if he decided to not better himself he would’ve became the same person leaving as coming in. But on the other hand with motivation like Bimbi, and all that Bimbi is that Malcolm would like to be.

position on drug use, why they accecpt addicts but are against drugs and alcohol

In my opinion from what I gather from what I’ve learned so far about their religion, I think that they accept drug addicts and help them get clean because they truly believe that change is possible for every person if they want to succeed and change for themselves. Malcolm himself went through very many struggles with drugs and robberies and selling drugs and “pimping” but he changed very much as a person in jail but you don't have to go to jail to want to heal and become sober and they wanted the people to see that. they related to them on a good level because they themselves have been in their shoes before, Not having enough to eat, living on the street, robbing and stealing for your next meal or your next high. The Muslim religion went to the streets to try and help addicts realize that they have more to offer in life And that if they would follow the Muslim way and listen to they could become good people an followers of a good religion and an black community.

Thoughts on video we watched in class and beginning of chapter 14

I think that Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad and the Muslim community excitedly anticipated the airing of a show about them and also newspaper segments about them but what they didn't piece together at the time was that the white media was going to switch it around and overall make them seem negative. It is a very controversial subject to begin with and then in a way they gave power to the white man by giving him permission to air a show about him. Even if Elijah Muhammad mentioned what he didn't want included in the documentaries, chances are they went against his wishes anyway. 
Malcolm state on page 243, “it's my personal opinion that the hate…hate… title was primarily responsible for the reaction. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, black-and-white, or exclaiming did you hear it a question mark did you see it? Preaching hate of white people! From the way I understood, Did did attract very many followers to the Muslim religion, but initially I think the white media switched around what the documentary was initially supposed to be about and put a negative spin on it, leaving people in awe and some scared

Why did Malcolm X wait to tell his story?

 Malcolm X waited to tell his story because he wanted to show that his movement did impact United States history for good. His story is told all over the place today.  Malcolm’s story is told in many books, movies, conversations and in speeches. Malcolm X is known as one of the civil rights activist that impacted many with his movements, speeches, and protests. His purpose was to end racism at any cause whether it was violent or not. Malcolm X waited to tell his story to prove to everyone that even though he had a certain mentality on how to end racism that many people didn’t agree to, he managed to prove that everything he did was for change. 

If Malcolm's brother hadn't been converted to NOI, would Malcolm?

I believe Malcolm wouldn't have converted to NOI if his brother wasn't. Also if he was sent to jail he would still be doing street things and probably die because of high dose drugs. If he hadn't been to jail and quit doing drugs and dope he would still be lost in his own world and would to even remember what his brother told him about Islam. Jail gave him time to think of all the good things in his life. He met Bimbi there, he starting educating himself and found Islam. He was alone and spend all his time doing good things and believed his brothers teaching and chose a good path for himself. So I think his brother played a big role in converting him.

Role of Islam in Malcom’s life

I believe that Islam was kind of salvation for Malcom, when he was in the jail, he didn’t have a lot of friends inside there. He had a lot of questions about things that surrounded him and Islam in one way or another did had answers to his questions. Islam made him wants to be educated, so he educated himself and he realizes that by reading he found a lot more things but especially about white people. In the Islam religion the one to be blame for the misery of blacks were the white people, so this was like a turning point. And when he get out of the jail he sort of wanted to make justice and this due to Islam.

Why Did Malcolm X Wanted To Tell His Story?

I think Malcolm X wanted to tell his story because he wanted to tell people his life story and what he went through his good and bad times. He also wanted to show people about his life in jail and when he converted into islam. I feel like that people reading his book will understand what he went through in his life especially the hard and tough part of his life. Malcolm X telling his story so people realize what type of person he is and not what people picture him as. So this is why i think Malcolm X wanted to tell his story to people can see who he is and his journey he went thought too.

About the video we watched in class

I noticed that the reporter seemed to portray that the Muslim religion was something bad. He felt that all the Muslims were basically these bad people that were just hating on the whites. The reporter made it sound as if the Muslims were doing almost everything wrong or if it was all weird to him. Which is understandable for that time for the whites to be against all these other people and cultures. But I disagree with all that he is trying to imply. In my perspective the reporter was pretty ignorant to me. I believe everyone has their own culture and ways of doing things and there shouldn’t be someone judging or correcting them.

Response to “the Hate... Hate”

In all honesty I feel that in the manner that the news anchor that was talking. Was trying to invoke the white people to fear the black community, was just talking about how “...we sentence the white people to death.” He was being quite cynical and talking quite sarcastically on this whole subject. I just felt that he was mad/scared because the black community were raising their voices to come together.

Malcolm X excerpt and video segment

Malcom describes a life changing moment, where it was finally time for the blacks to be independent and superior individuals of society. They described how people would see these happenings from printed newspapers to radio stations(or any that draws attention to the public. Not only Malcolm, but the entire black race was present as shown on the television station which aired years ago. They wanted the whites to crumble and the blacks to make a “jump” into their communicative, realized and understood lives which shapes out how the world is today.

Malcolm X, Week 4

In these chapters, it becomes clear that the Nation of Islam is presenting their version of (black) Islam against what they see as a white Christianity. Why do they see these two religions as being incompatible for the black citizen at mid-century?

Other questions:

• Why is the white man a devil, according to this version of Islam? 
• What role does Islam play for Malcolm both during and after his time in jail?
• Why do new converts to Islam get a new name? Why do they get an X in their name? (i.e. Malcolm X)
• Why is it significant that the Nation of Islam doesn't teach its followers to "turn the other cheek" (246 in my edition, Ch. 13)?

What questions do you have about the reading?

Jesus' Color

Several of you have brought up the color of Jesus (see the end of the chapter "Saved" for this section of the book). Both bring up the idea of Jesus' color and say, correctly, that we don't know for sure. In fact, not everyone agrees that Jesus was a real historical figure. However, this is the way he's usually presented in Western Christianity (this is a simple Google search):

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS828US831&sxsrf=ACYBGNSKvQHYukchDNF9jj3a5gKWFXeI-g:1570042123059&q=jesus+christ&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji0pvYnv7kAhWVlp4KHS0iD90QsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1644&bih=923

As you can see, the vast majority are white and blond. However, if we search Northern Israel (which is probably where the historic Galilee existed), then we get a much more diverse range of skin colors:

https://www.google.com/search?q=northern+israel+inhabitants&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS828US831&sxsrf=ACYBGNRKDzTs3jrBjs87wm-EsUo_5AcgRg:1570042305615&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFgqKvn_7kAhVQtZ4KHTYgBWQQ_AUIEygC&biw=1644&bih=923

Why does Jesus's color matter, or not?

• In what ways has history been "whitened" according to the Nation of Islam? 

What other things did you notice? What questions does the reading raise for you?

History has been whitened because white people believed that their god is white. They believe being black was a bad thing. I noticed how the believes of black Muslims are different from Asian Muslims or Muslims from my culture. All of the Muslims follow the same rules and regulations but in different ways. The question I want answer too is how did Elijah Muhammad became messenger of Allah and why was he exactly sent to jail?

Why does Elijah Muhammad teach that white people are devils?

He voiced that the white men did all the acts of the devil to take advantage and restrict the black man from reaching somewhere in their lives. They used the black man for their own purpose and winnings. They step on them to leave the black man down below. I think that it is true to an extent in some areas, but the world today is different now and I think that everybody can be seen differently. The white man doesn't want to be born as "the white devil" and keep that name for the rest of their lives. They try to change in any way possible and that is what i at least see happening in the world today.