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?
The significance of Malcolm X's "X" is that he is, in effect, casting aside the name that was given to his family through a legacy of slavery. Of course, there are no African natives with the name "Little." The name was given to his family down the line by a slave master. By changing his surname to "X," Malcolm, and the other members of the Nation of Islam, were reclaiming their own identity's in a way, and allowing for themselves a new take on life.
ReplyDeleteNice response, Hank!
DeleteIslam in prison for Malcom X redefined him as a person from his criminal tendencies. It made him quit smoking, eating pork, making atheistic remarks at religious subjects. Islam in the version that Malcom X knew made him hungry for knowledge of his African heritage. This led to him reading books upon books and becoming more literate. He took upon the limited public school education he had and taught himself many real life skills such as speaking and writing. Islam after Malcom X was released from prison taught him to be a leader because he was learning under the tutelage of Elijah Muhammad who he had looked up to. Elijah Muhammad's character and influence on Malcom X to becoming a Muslim made him mentally more resilient upon social injustice among the Black community.
ReplyDeletewhat is the difference between Malcolm x and Martin Luther king?
ReplyDeletei think that MLK and Malcolm x both stood for peace, equality and independents but the way that MLK went about speaking out for black people was peaceful without violence for him to be heard, but Malcolm x had a lot of violence in able to be heard by the whites.
Nice response, Abby. I think you're right that a big difference between the two leaders was approach--tone, rhetoric. But they wanted the same things.
Deletewas prison positive for Malcolm x?
ReplyDeletei do think that prison was the most positive thing that happen to Malcolm because he got a chance to educate himself more by reading books behind bars, Malcolm stated to like reading so much to the point where he rather read more books the do anything else.