- On p. 88, Malcolm X write about African Americans being "both servants and psychologists." What does that mean?
- What is the significance of the white patrons in bars who would go up to black patrons and say, "You're just as good as I am--I want you to know that!" Why does Malcolm X tell this story? (p. 129).
- Malcolm X writes of the riots in Harlem in 1935. Why do you think people riot? Why do they destroy the businesses and property in their own neighborhoods?
- 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?
- What questions does the reading raise for you so far?
Monday, September 16, 2019
Malcolm X Week 2
Some questions I have about the reading this week:
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when Malcolm talks about west Indian Archie talent for mathematics and how he used this skill for the numbers it shows people at the time that becoming a hustler was more desirable than working a honest job because people always played the numbers so there was profit in that. in mid century america these skills were not great for blacks because of serration and the numbers was were the money was at because he described how people who stuck it big would blow threw there money new Cadillac's expensive clothes and food.
ReplyDeleteWhen Malcolm mentions African Americans being both servant and psychologists, he is portraying how despite being in a lowly position in the social hierarchy, and working a low-earning job, and African American was always smart, and knew how to read people to make the most of their situation. The time period was tremendously hard on blacks, and despite the fact that many would be valuable assets in society, the system that they were a part of kept them down and blocked their progress. Malcolm mentions this, too, when he talks about talents like West Indian Archie.
ReplyDeleteMalcom X mentions the mathematical gift of West Indian Archie to show how exceptional people who possess one of a kind intellectual gift could have benefited from their god given talent. The era Malcom X speaks of at the time had a social system that narrowed down the possibility of success for African Americans to the extent that illegal hustling would have to be the only escape from poverty or death. Malcom X feels strongly that the social class between black people and white was held on to more firmly as a way to belittle black people than actually allow people of such gifts like West Indian Archie to benefit society. The "superiority" of the white man was to be secured by the white people in mid century America.
ReplyDelete(I am writing this sideways just to let everyone know) The significance of Malcolm telling the reader that white patrons are complementing black patrons was to let us know that even during the time where racism is normalized, not all whites hate blacks and show respect for them.This also foreshadows the event that would lead blacks having rights that would prevent unnecessary segregation.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm writes about the riots in Harlem that he would witness in 1935. This was important because it would something people would do to get attention. People riot in order to protest something that they believe very strongly and are willing to go out of their way in order to make a change in society.Throughout history, it is proven that some people are not heard as much as individuals belonging to another race or ethnicity. In effect, measures are taken in order for people to be able to make their point and be heard. Mostly this occurs after an attempt of a peaceful protest but the situation changes when others ignore or try to stop it. Then it transforms into more of an expression of anger. this situation becomes uglier and maybe they will finally be heard or taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X writes of the riots in Harlem in 1935. Why do you think people riot? Why do they destroy the businesses and property in their own neighborhoods?
ReplyDelete,the reason people riot is because of the injustice in the world and people feel the need to be heard. The riots in Harlem in 1935 are due to the fact of it being the time of the great depression.Riots were a result of what could be a peaceful protest into anger in a group of people seeking someone who would listen .People were out of jobs and unemployed so I think that lead them to destroy the businesses and property in their own neighborhood.Many minority out of a jobs as a result the people felt they had no voice and were being neglected so they took to rioting and getting out of their own neighborhood to expect change and equality.
The significance of the white patrons in bars who would go up to black patrons and say, "You're just as good as I am--I want you to know that!" that Malcom X refers to basically means that the white patrons are supporting the black patrons back then in those times racism was still major and when the white patrons said that to the black patrons they took it as a compliment and that was the first turning point when people were realizing that change is coming and I feel that Malcom X was proud about this so that's why he put it in the autobiography.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X writes about African Americans being "both servants and psychologist" on page 88 because Malcolm wants people to know that some blacks might not seem as smart but they know people's minds and actions. In the past, blacks did not have the opportunity to get an education, so when whites see them they don't think much into it due to the lack of education. Most blacks knew how to play the "game". The "game" was to act like an outcast but really know what's going on. Blacks were beyond servants, they knew almost everything that was happening, but to fool the whites they acted differently. For example, Malcolm writes about the West Indian Archie who is great with numbers. Malcolm writes about him to show how many blacks are talented but don't get seen for it. Archie's math skills are amazing but instead of doing something great with it , he doesn't have the opportunity too. Instead Archie uses his skills for the lottery to run numbers with Malcolm. It was very limited for many blacks to have great jobs , so most would hustle to make a living. Along with hustling,People would riot to get their voice heard. Most people riot because it sometimes makes a difference to the world. Rioting can make the situation clear up or make it worst. Riots destroy buildings in their own neighborhood because it's what they are surrounded by. If some people don't like a specific building that is causing the problem, most people would destroy the building to make a statement. On page 129, Malcolm talks about a phrase saying " You're just as good as I am--I just wanted you to know that". This phrase is very contradicting to me because it shows how white people are better than blacks . Everybody has different views and how they interpret text, but some people might find this as awarding because they are being compared to whites, while others might find this phrase very racist like me. Whites want blacks to feel equally by saying words but show no actions. Blacks would appreciate it more if Whites showed more effort. Some questions I have about the reading is Why did Malcolm change his life so much for the bad? He starts selling drugs and his life takes a dramatic turn. Most of our past events that we have done is set as examples to make us better today, but will these past events help Malcolm become better or worse?
ReplyDelete- African Americans being "both servants and psychologists" mean, they are
ReplyDelete- the significance of white patrons in bars who told to black patron "you'are just as good as I am mean that the patron may be think all black people know they are inferiors to the white. and he said that to reassure the black patrons in the bars he do a good job.
-America didn't use better their talents because of racism. in this century white people don't give the opportunity to the other race to show what the he know.
In chapter 7, Malcolm X tells the story of white patrons coming up to black patrons in bars and telling them, "You're just as good as I am-I want you to know that!" I believe that Malcolm X points this out to show that white folks thought being equal to them was a
ReplyDeletecompliment and that blacks would feel better about themselves after hearing such comparisons. Even though these white people were just trying to be friendly with the black people in the bars, they still ended up displaying racism without being aware of it.
Malcolm X also talks about how West Indian Archie ended up using his mathematical talents as a number runner and that in an alternate society he might have ended up using his skills for something that might have paid more and even given his name a higher title. However, the color of his skin stopped Archie from reaching greater heights during this time period where blacks were not even seen as humans. This was also because white people at the time assumed that blacks were dumb and could not fathom the idea that there might have been intelligent blacks at all. Maybe white people were scared of acknowledging any genius or talent in black people because their own social status might decline and they would not have power or superiority over the blacks anymore.
Malcolm X wants to show that times are changing and that white people are starting to have a change in heart and believe that black people are not as different from them and that they should be treated as equal other then lower class citizens. Back then and now when people want to make a change for the better by starting out with a peaceful protest, but sometimes the government does not listen or care, so to get their attention people destroy and create riots to express their anger by violence to show what they believe in or stand up for.
ReplyDeleteIn the parts where Malcolm X talks about West Indian Archie the first thought that occurred to me was the idea of someone being a product of society. For people like Richie and Malcolm the game isn't set up for them the society in which they lived in at the time did not allow them to get better than in the conditions they where currently in. So Malcolm saying that refers to a mentality of " if things where different" people with gifts like Richie would not have to be here .
ReplyDeleteI think people riots in Harlem in 1935 because racial tension in Harlem is steadily increasing. Thus, when word gets out that white policemen have shot a black soldier in Harlem hotel,angry Harlem residents riot and loot neighborhoods businesses.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the white patrons in bars who would go up to black patrons and say, "You're just as good as I am--I want you to know that!" Why does Malcolm X tell this story? (p. 129).
ReplyDeleteI just to say how white people always think their superior then black people. They don't think that black people can be better then them at anything. And just having a white person feeling the need of saying "You're just as good as I am--I want you to know that!" this shows how black people have come to that time where they can be compare to a white person.
The significance of the white patrons in bars who would go up to black patrons and say, "You're just as good as i am-- i want you to know that!"
ReplyDeleteBecause Malcolm try to be not racist,whatever black or white they're equality,From this perspective, all the petty humiliation and routine brutality of American racial politics could detract from or even undermine The Autobiography’s universal story of conversion, betrayal and transcendent personal development.