Q4 Malcolm X Group Post
Period 5
Be sure to:
- Answer the main question & subquestions
- Include at least 2 specific examples from the film
- Include at least 1 piece of information from the assigned readings
e.g., Period 5 - Julie Berger, Lucas Shinskie, Rachael Sheehan, Jason Falconio - Civil Rights Activism
This blog post is worth 25 Mastery points. The group will receive one grade.
Responses due by 3:30 on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
Malcolm X's role in the Civil Rights Movement was to make sure that blacks' believed they could do things independently. During the Civil Rights Movement society expected Civil Right leaders to lead them in a positive way, to make change while not experiencing help from the white man. Malcolm X was a man who first followed the expectations society had for him. Then, over time he defied those expectations by, allowing the white man to come in and help, but not allowing him to be apart of the group. When Malcolm X converted to Islam, he advanced blacks' Civil Rights by trying to get many blacks to convert to the Nation of Islam, also he tried to get blacks' to support and respect their own race, so that whites can see that the black community is able to hold their own. Molcolm's methods were different from what other leaders of the Civil Rights Act were doing, because in the early years of his career Malcolm's decisions to result in violence, but as time went on and he became older and wiser, Malcolm's method was towards religion. Religion was the a way that he brung people together and showed blacks that the white man is just like us. While using these methods Malcolm X impacted blacks' racial identity by telling them to love their selves and doing things on their own, and having their own businesses. The film Malcolm X showed many examples of his methods and ad his impact, Malcolm went to Mecca and saw that the white man is just like him, he he saw that the white man wasn't dangerous and this opened his mind up to a lot of things. Another example is when one of Malcolm's Islam brothers were beaten badly by the police. Malcolm gathered a group of people to march to the Police District where that had taken his Islam brother and demanded that he was helped and treated. Inside of the reading about Malcolm X, when he was seen on tv, he was seen as a man who taught for his community. On tv Malcolm would voice his his option for the white and black man to see that they are able to do what ever they put their mind to. In conclusion, yes Malcolm X did have a positive effect on the Civil Rights Movement, although at first Malcolm's effect was very negative with the violent activities that himself and blacks participated in, but over time he became a positive person. Malcolm's effect was positive because he began to find his God, he became a good advocate on finding a way to make sure black people find a way to love themselves first before getting acceptance from the white man.
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ReplyDeleteMalcolm X was a devoted leader who advocated his religious beliefs and African-Americans for what he believed was right. he was a rebellious, outspoken, trustworthy, and powerful leader to negroes and the Islamic nation. He would do anything for his idol, Elijah Muhammad. One of his strategies was by seeing the struggles African-Americans were facing and used them to backfire the government’s system in a non-violent way. Another way was by being taught about African-Americans history which he enforced in his speeches to get his point across. During his jail sentence he studied about Islamic and African-American history. Through it all he developed his vocabulary, personality, and also changed his perspective towards white people during the 1900s. However time, through his experience the brotherhood he realizes that not all whites racist. His biggest supporters was Elijah Muhammad. He wrote and performed his speeches in public for everyone to hear. He focused on how blacks were discriminated by and using his religious beliefs and knowledge on African-Americans he became powerful than anyone thought he could be. Along all this he challenges society’s expectation towards African-Americans. According to the reading assignment of his autobiography in the NOI Beliefs, he explains, “Deceive the black peoples into believing that their 400-year-old open enemies of freedom, justice, and equality...etc.” In conclusion Malcolm X is a strong leader because he never gave up on what he believed in by challenging societies contradictions in the government system.
Period 5 - Khalil, Auria, Jade, & Tymere - Effect on Society
ReplyDeleteThe African-American activist, Malcolm X, had a big impact on society. Being a black man in America, he deviated from the more of what society expected of him. This meant that he was expected to follow suit and do nothing against the racism. He was expected to be a mockery. He was the opposite of this stereotype created by his society or as he said, “The white man society, we follow the white man’s rules.” Malcolm X was an educated, outspoken leader against the oppression the blacks faced. He encouraged blacks to fight for themselves. Malcolm said “When you tell your white people to respect my men than I’ll tell my men to put away their guns.” He had a public eye which caused him to be a target of the media. The media portrayed Malcolm as a violent, black supremacist who was anti-white. They portrayed him this way because instead of him using the non-violence approach like Dr. King, he chose to use violence if necessary. Malcolm said, “I am for violence if non-violence means we continue postponing a solution to the American black man’s problem just to avoid violence”. The media was also afraid of Malcolm starting a sort of revolution amongst the blacks; therefore, the media slandered his name. The effect of the media’s portrayal is still present to this day because many people still believe Malcolm was a violent leader. The police as well had a negative view on Malcolm. The police would often harassed him and abuse their power. The police would conspire sometimes in order to stop or hinder Malcolm’s progress. If this would not work out, the police would fail to do their duties on purpose. When Malcolm’s house was firebombed, the firefighters and officers did not do their responsibilities. The government would issue newspapers and articles about how he was trying to take over America. These occupations were almost always held by whites. Interactions like this caused him to have a bad view on whites. He talked down on whites, calling them products of the devil. It wouldn’t be an aberration to hear him call them “white devils” or something similar. He usually disliked them and Malcolm didn’t expect them to do anything on the cause of civil rights. In a situation when a white girl interested in how she could help blacks, Malcolm replied with, “Nothing”. He didn’t want anything to do with whites. After his voyage to Mecca however, his view changed. Malcolm was interested in allowing whites to help but he still didn’t want them too involved, showing his disconnection with whites. Malcolm X left a legacy. He had a positive impact on society. He taught those to believe in themselves, also to believe half of what they heard and half of what they seen.
During the civil rights while most leaders were pacifistic and tried to appeal to the white man in order to find common ground, Malcolm X rebelled against this idea and united his people in order to fight their oppressors. During this time society expected him to be peaceful and comply with the other religious/civil rights leaders. He defied these expectations however, by believing he and his people had the right to self-defense and to not just stand idly by while they were being mistreated. He advocated for those who couldn't protect themselves, and also that black people should be proud of their skin and what it represents. Unlike other leaders he believed self-defense was important in order to stand up for their right ls and showing that they won't accept being mistreated. He instilled a sense of proudness in blacks and eventually this proudness led to confidence. His speech about racial identity helped support his beliefs in racial pride and that just because you're black doesn't mean you are less than others. He was willing to be a martyr for his beliefs and his people in order to help advance the progression of the civil rights movement. His belief in separation of the races showed how certain he was that blacks are able to be equals with whites. In the end Malcolm X had a positive effect on the civil rights movement because he instilled confidence and pride in his race.
ReplyDeletePeriod 5-Aireonna, Shymia, Walid and Qariq-Personal Life & Relationships
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X spent plenty of time with his studies and his work, which prevented him to spend quality time with his wife and children. Malcolm’s work and power caused him to become a target which led to death threats to him and his family. This was a very difficult situation for Malcolm X to accept because being a man and father he was the head of the family where his job and responsibility was to protect and take care of his family. The way Malcolm X defied these expectations was when he had spent more time on his speeches and studies than his own family.
One of the effects of Malcolm’s work on his family were several death threats. This also caused his to fight with his wife Betty over the amount of time he was spending on his work. These threats lead up to the bombing of his home where his wife and three daughters including himself were sleeping. Some of these threats were made by members of the Nation of Islam. Threats were made because the Nation of Islam believed that Malcolm was be coming to powerful. These were also the ordered by Elijah Muhammad.
There were many effects of Malcolm’s work on his family. He suffered many personal costs to the biggest issue due to his assassination, which sent waves of shock to his family, friends, and America. One could say he knew his time was coming, as throughout the end, there were many moments when he would space out and someone would have to set his mind straight. This tragedy affected his family tremendously and may have affected the land of America even greater.
The breakup between Elijah and Malcolm X was great. Malcolm had feelings of betrayal when he found out that Elijah was violating his own teachings by having children with several different women. Elijah was angry with Malcolm’s insensitive comments on several different matters, which led to Malcolm X leaving the Nation of Islam in 1964. This was a huge personal cost Malcolm experienced due to his work.
Conclusion: Some may ask if the things Malcolm X went from his assassination to the death threats to all of that, was it all worth it; however, it all was all worth it. Ultimately, it was worth it because, people recognized what Malcolm X was preaching and they saw his vision of wanting equal everything no matter your race or ethnic background.
Period 5 - Malaysia, Bryanna, Devonne, Junius, Khylil
ReplyDeleteThe Nation of Islam:
Religion influenced Malcolm X to be a better person in the eyes of the Nation of Islam. Some of his extreme beliefs under the influence of Elijah Muhammad hindered him from seeing the good in some white people. The influence of Elijah Muhammad's norms of Islam kept the Nation of Islam less focused on helping the black community to achieve equality and liberty more on the black, Muslim community, protecting itself. The Nation of Islam expected its members to follow the mores of the Islamic society under Allah. These mores include: being a strong leader, spreading the words of Elijah Muhammad, and stand up for the Muslim community. Religion has extremely changed him as a person, it has destroyed his views on white people. They teach muslims to blame all whites for the racial inequality that happens in America, even though not all whites are racist. Malcolm X has a powerful impact on the members of the Nation of Islam. The members look up to Malcolm because in their eyes he is doing the right thing, which is fearlessly standing up for equality in the black community. Malcolm X demonstrated his love for Islam and its meaning by making speeches and preaching in the name of Allah. He spoke in a mosque about Islam and how Islam can help fight against prejudiceness. In the end, Malcolm X was brutally assassinated while preaching. This is significant because he was assassinated by his own people, the Nation of Islam, simply because he spoke against the prophet, Elijah Muhammad.
During the better part of his time as a minister Malcolm x devoted himself completely to the nation of Islam while preaching the philosophy of its leader Elijah Muhammad all over the U.S. Do to his level of devotion to the nation Malcolm contact with his family was impaired constantly to near abandonment. these actions went against the teachings and social mores at the time in which husbands or fathers were to devote themselves to the happiness and prosperity of the families. Addition this choice also caused great strife in the X household resulting in many marital arguments between Malcolm and his wife Betty over him spending too much away from home as portrayed in the film production of Malcolm X. Also do to the controversial backlash X faced as a result of detaching from the nation of islam his family was also targeted by angry nation members receiving death threats. This to was excellently portrayed in the film when Betty answered the phone to be verbally assaulted. Despite the many negative results from his chooses the impact on the nation of Islam and the U.S was well worth the abuse. To address the impact on the nation Malcolm was able to enlighten the militant minded Muslims into of Elijah's Muhammad's betrayal and his philosophy of brotherhood between races which was still being practiced by his wife children and devoted brothers after his assassination as written in the packet article section titled “Death and Legacy”. As for the world his message of black pride and freedom is still being practiced today not only in America but all over the world.
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