ARCHIVE - Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable

[Jovita]

Response to Teri RE: Week 3 Questions

(view spoiler)[I think he was definitely trying to fill a void. Looking back over his life, he was always looking for someone to place in that father role, whether it was Shorty during his 'Detroit Red' years, or Elijah Muhammad later on when he joined the NOI. I think he missed his dad and longed for that father-son relationship more than he realized. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Teri wrote: "I came across this interesting article tonight and thought I'd share:

Centuries-Old Artifacts Discovered Beneath Malcolm X's Childhood Home
By Megan Gannon, Live Science Contributor ..."

I do too. I think I would have enjoyed a career in archaeology!

[Teri]

Chapter 14 Questions - pages 388 - 417

(view spoiler)[1. Were you surprised that Malcolm continued to have infidelities after becoming orthodox Islam? Were there other inconsistencies in how he was living vs. the tenets of living for an orthodox Muslim?

2. Once back in the United States in early 1965, Malcolm goes on the speaking circuit. His speeches seem to show contradictions in his ideology. Is this because he is still contemplating and evolving his ideals after his long trip to Africa?


London School of Economics (February 11, 1965) (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Chapter 15 Questions - pages 418 - 449

(view spoiler)[1. Do you think Malcolm welcomed his death? Why did he ignore some of the signs, i.e. not search attendees at his rallies?

2. We've talked throughout this discussion on some of the things that were apparent the day of Malcolm's assassination. Now that you have read the full account, what other things surprised you about that day? How do you feel about the different theories that Marable posed?


The Audubon Ballroom stage after the assassination. Malcolm X was standing at the podium in the background addressing a rally when he was shot. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 5 Discussion Questions - pages 130 - 142

(view spoiler)[1. Why do you think the Nation of Islam could not gain a foothold in the South?

In the South, the Black people were mostly uneducated and poor and the White community had put the fear of God in them with KKK and lynching. In the North, racism is not so pronounced (even though it's there), people are more educated and willing to better their position in the society.

2. Malcolm states in his speech at the Detroit Temple of Islam, "If the present leaders of the so-called American Negro and take a firm stand with positive steps designed to eliminate immediately the brutal atrocities that are being committed daily against our people; and, if the so-called Negro intelligentsia, intellectuals and educators won't unite to help alter this nasty and most degrading situation; then the little man in the street will henceforth begin to take matters into his own hands." What are your thoughts on this speech? Do you think he is advocating violence at this point?

I don't know if he is promoting violence per se, but he is promoting going out to the streets to show the society that they are not afraid. At this point, violence is, I think, still the last resort. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 5 Discussion Questions - pages 143-155

(view spoiler)[1. What drew women and families to the Nation of Islam?

Mostly security, I think. NOI was/is a well developed system...too well developed. The members had everything in one place, education, jobs, place to worship and leaders to nourish their sense of self-worth. But, the position of women was still inferior, and I would not want to put myself in it. I guess, they thought it a lesser evil.

2. During this chapter we see Malcolm X starting to separate spirituality and politics. Is Malcolm starting to split from the Nation of Islam? Is there an event that might have caused him to make a line between spirituality and politics?

I don't think he is starting to split from it, but, from the beginning, I've sensed in him the need to put himself in the front. Based on what I've read about his character thus far, I think he always wanted to be better than Elijah, even though he played the game differently.

3. Malcolm makes the statement "I know nothing about the south. I am a creation of the Northern white man." What are you thoughts on this statement?

The same sentence struck me when I was reading this chapter. Even though, the Whites did own U.S. and there was/is racism still, I think it a bit unfair, because it implies that Malcolm had absolutely no choice during the process of becoming who he was. That is not true, and it shows that "Blame it on the other" attitude, which is immature and common for teenagers, not grown men. (hide spoiler)]

[Helga]

Samanta wrote: "A comment on using religion to attract people

I was reading about the development of Black Islamic groups in U.S. in Chapter 3 and couldn't believe how the programs utterly missed the point of it ..."
So true. And very anti-semetic. Hypocritical.

[Helga]

Teri wrote: "I came across this interesting article tonight and thought I'd share:

Centuries-Old Artifacts Discovered Beneath Malcolm X's Childhood Home
By Megan Gannon, Live Science Contributor | May 24, 201..."
This is really interesting. Thanks for finding this.

[Rachel]

Question and comments on NOI

(view spoiler)[

I am really behind, still on chapter 12. I have been having to work a lot and it messed up my reading schedule. I just have a question, the NOI doesn't involve themselves in politics because they think its a waste of time and the white man just looks for himself? But wouldn't this Philosophy carry over their views to the justice system and how they dispense justice. I am just finding it hypocritical that you don't involve yourself in politics or voting because you say that the white man is not going to do nothing for you. But at the same time your using the legal system run by the same kinds of people to help you get your house back? (Going on Malcolm's house- the nation suing to get him evicted) just finding this hypocritical and back pedaling on some of their beliefs. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 5 Discussion Questions - pages 130 - 142"

Samanta - Malcolm X and Violence

(view spoiler)[He may not have promoted violence but certainly said that it was okay to use violence. However, for all of his talk about advocating it, he was never violent and I have not seen that he gave any orders to be violent. Do you find that to be a bit odd? (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Helga wrote: "Teri wrote: "I came across this interesting article tonight and thought I'd share:

Centuries-Old Artifacts Discovered Beneath Malcolm X's Childhood Home
By Megan Gannon, Live Science Contributor ..."

It was happenstance that I came across it and at the perfect time for this discussion.

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 5 Discussion Questions - pages 143-155"

Samanta - Malcolm X / The Northern Man

(view spoiler)[At this point in his life, he likely did want to be the front guy. I think he saw himself as a leader and although he was very respectful of Elijah, he felt a calling to lead.

People are often a product of their environment, and it seems that is what Malcolm is talking about. But there is free will too, and I agree that he had a choice of becoming who he was. In fact, he did "reinvent" himself at times and evolved as his surroundings changed. A little of both perhaps? Nature vs. nurture? (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Rachel wrote: "Question and comments on NOI."

No worries about the reading schedule. Others are still reading as well. The threads never close so we can keep discussing as long as you're posting. I'll wrap up daily questions / talking points on Tuesday the 31st.

Rachel - The NOI / Politics

(view spoiler)[The NOI was and I think still is hypocritical. Today, it is obvious that Louis Farrakhan steps into the political spotlight from time to time. Even then, the NOI would say they were pure religion, but they certainly had their own political structure and used the system for their own needs. Very shifty indeed. How do you think Malcolm felt about that? Do you think he felt a need to utilize those in the political arena? (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Chapter 16 Questions - pages 450 - 478

(view spoiler)[1. Is it odd that the MMI brotherhood did not react as expected in the moments after the shooting for a group intent on violence? Most fell to the floor or left the building. It did not seem as though anyone tried to protect Malcolm. What are your thoughts?

2. What do you think about the different conspiracies that Marable poses?


Malcolm X Funeral (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Teri on message 210 - Malcolm X and violence

(view spoiler)[At this point I don't know what to think of him. I already said I thought him a hypocrite and I stand by that opinion. I do not know if it's to early to form an opinion (as you can see, I'm way behind), but I concluded that I can recognize his charisma and his leadership skills, but I don't like him. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Teri on message 212 - Malcolm X / The Northern Man

(view spoiler)[With him, it's a bit of both. I mean it's not like his father was a calm man who respected his wife, and his family. He wasn't the best of husbands when he was there and then he went and left them, thinking he could do what he pleased, suffering no consequences. I sense a bit of his father in Malcolm; the way he avoided being responsible and did whatever he wanted. So that's nature. Then his father favored him (probably because he saw himself in Malcolm) and everybody else just let him do what ever he wanted. So that's nurture, I'd say.
In that quote on Northern man, I felt like he was blaming the Northern White Man, for all the bad things that happened to him, but nobody forced him to become a criminal or a drug addict and it was his own fault he ended up in prison. But, as I said, it's easier to blame someone else for your poor life choices. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachel]

Response to question on Malcolm

(view spoiler)[
How do you think Malcolm felt about that? Do you think he felt a need to utilize those in the political arena?

I think that Malcolm wanted to settle the dispute in house but the NOI insisted that they go through the courts. So in order to combat what the NOI doing against I think he used the political arena to expose Elijah Muhammad affairs and things. I agree, I kind of feel that Farrakhan just picking up where Elijah Muhammad left off. they say one thing, but don't mind going against their own beliefs when it suits their purpose. But call out others when for doing the same thing (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Teri on message 210 - Malcolm X and violence"

Samanta - thoughts on Malcolm X

(view spoiler)[I'll be curious if your thoughts on him change (for better or for worse) once you finish. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Teri on message 212 - Malcolm X / The Northern Man"

Samanta - Northern Man

(view spoiler)[I'm sure he blamed everyone at some point for something. The northern man had blame and the southern had different blame. The white man had blame and the well off black. But I do think he changes some by the end, but I won't spoil that for you. Read on. ;-) (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Rachel wrote: "Response to question on Malcolm."

Rachel - Politics and the NOI

(view spoiler)[I think that Malcolm felt betrayal as well, that they couldn't settle the house deal any other way. He gave himself completely to the NOI and then they completely betrayed him. Betrayal of spirit and betrayal on a personal level. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

I'm posting Saturday's discussion questions a little early. I'll be gone a good part of the day tomorrow. I'll be in and out over the holiday weekend. Happy Memorial Day to our United States members!

Epilogue Questions - pages 478 - 488

(view spoiler)[1. Marable states, "Malcolm’s personal journey of self-discovery, the quest for God, led him toward peace and away from violence.” Do you agree with this statement? How did Malcolm's ideals change throughout his lifetime?

2. What do you consider Malcolm's legacy? What should we take away from his life's work?


Malcolm X's Funeral (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Week 4 Discussion Questions - Malcolm X and Civil Rights Today

(view spoiler)[1. What do you think the rest of Malcolm X's life would have been like if he had not been murdered?

2. How do you think Malcolm's life would have turned out if certain events had not happened, e.g. his parents had not died, he had not met Short in prison/Elijah Muhammad, had not split with the NOI?

3. What do you think that Malcolm X would think of the state of Civil Rights today?


Mural "African Amalgamation of Ubiquity," by Curtis Lewis, 1985, featuring Malcolm X and MLK, Jr., on the side wall of Operation Get Down, a drug rehabilitation center, 9980 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 2008 (hide spoiler)]

[Pamela]

Malcolm's Second Trip to Africa

(view spoiler)[This last bit was the part of the book that I liked the best. It raised all sorts of questions, most of which you've touched on. The second trip to Africa bothered me. Suddenly, Malcolm X is being feted all over the place and seems unduly impressed with all the wealth, the parties and the accommodations that they all give him. He seems awfully caught up with himself as an international figure.

By the time he's home it's almost as if he's putting Islam on the back burner and has moved Pan-Africanism to the front. He even takes the occasional drink and, apparently, starts an affair with his secretary (how ironic!) Plus he seems to keep contradicting himself in speeches. I'm not at all sure what to make of this and it made me give some credence to his wife's statement that he never really changed his views. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Pamela wrote: "Malcolm's Second Trip to Africa"

Pamela - Malcolm's Second Trip to Africa

(view spoiler)[Yes! Yes, yes, yes. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I can't say I was shocked with his drinking and "supposedly" sleeping around, but it bothered me as well. He was echoing some of Elijah's actions and therefore was, to me, quite a hypocrite. Do you think he was also moving away from his "violent" rhetoric? i.e. not advocating it as much? Do you think he could have eventually become a more peaceful civil rights leader? I'd hate to compare him to Dr. King, but do you think, had he lived he might have follow a similar path eventually? Or do you think he would have taken a different path completely? i.e. gone back to his old ways? I'm just not sure but I think we might have seen him evolve again, but I don't know in what direction.

I'm also trying to reconcile what I think about his friendship with Maya Anjelou. I have to admit, I don't know a lot about her but always thought of her as a kind, peaceful civil rights activist. I was just surprised that she befriended him, given that he was so controversial. Did this surprise you? (hide spoiler)]

Maya Angelou

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pages 155 - 170

(view spoiler)[1. On page 156, NAACP activist Robert F. Williams is quoted as saying to the press that blacks should "meet violence with violence in order to protect themselves." Were you surprised that this comment came from an activist from the NAACP? How might this have affected Malcolm X?

Not really. NAACP was a large association. Not everybody was for peaceful solutions of civil rights' problems. The problem with that, as I point all the time, that violence is a short-term "solutions" that can, in the end, bring more ad than good, while the "peaceful politics" people like Thurgood Marshall led, were much more effective in the long run.
We see in Chapter 6 that Malcolm is starting to realize the "holes" in the NOI program, and we see him more and more using civil rights' terms in his lectures, so this might have sounded appealing to him.

2. Were you surprised by that the Nation of Islam basically looked on from the sidelines as the Civil Rights movement began mixing politics with protesting?

Again, not really. NOI was all talk, no real play, and was ultimately ready to support only it's members and make a "better" life only for its supporters, and as I would call them, "its sheep". I don't mean to offend (I cal my own countrymen sheep, at the moment), but I don't like any kind of religious or other sect, where one person presents itself as an ultimate leader going on deity, and people buy it. Plus, we all know Elijah was a fraud. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pages 170 - 179

(view spoiler)[ 1. Malcolm X's beliefs were shaped by the racial hatred of white supremacy. Malcolm's story seems to go through a change while on a pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca. How had his ideals transformed at this point in his life?

He realized that there are different levels of "color" and that slavery existed in those parts of the world too, so that kind of trumps the idea of only Whites being "the devils". His view on Elijah being "Allah's Messenger" changed a bit. I wonder if he was ever so enamored in the NOI agenda that he actually believed it, or did he know from the start that it was nonsense?

2. What are your thoughts on Malcolm's meeting with the KKK? Could they mutually help each other's agenda? Is there ever a reason a person should negotiate with their enemy in order to advance an opposing view?

I was appalled with this part. I am no politician (nor do I ever wish to be one), and maybe this is a normal thing in politics, but this was outrageous. I should think that meeting with the biggest tormentor of the Black Americans,would just undermine NOI's authority, because you meet with your greatest enemy when you have no other option (and maybe not even then). Also, not every African American was a member and supporter of NOI, so doing this, in my opinion, would loose them possible support and new members. You do NOT negotiate with the Devil, and, in this case, the Whites are the devils. I think Malcolm shared the same view. (hide spoiler)]

[Pamela]

Response to Teri About Possible Malcolm X

(view spoiler)[
I don't know if he would have changed to become more peaceful or mainstream, Teri. Remember what happened from 1965 on. I know you don't actually remember but I do. From 1965 on there were 100's of riots in American cities, especially the two big ones in Watts (Los Angeles) in 1965 and Detroit in 1967. Plus the really horrible year of 1968 with the assassination of MLK and Robert Kennedy. I think if Malcolm had lived, he may have been even more radicalized. On the other hand, if he had been around there would have been no need of an H. Rap Brown or Stokley Carmichael or any of the other more violently prone black leaders who arose in the wake of his death. He may have ended up starting something like the Black Panthers himself. They said and did a lot of the things he advocated anyway. i.e.Blacks taking care of things themselves, becoming self-sufficient, etc.

The thing about Maya Angelou struck me too. She really was not in the headlines back then, that I remember anyway. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was not published until 1969 and that made her famous. When I read all that in this book, it gave me a really different feeling about her and I was surprised too. I guess she was also more radical than I've ever thought.

After reading these last chapters, I think I'm more confused than before I started. I had always thought he had this enlightening experience in Mecca that made him more inclined to the view that we are all one in our humanity. Now reading this, I have to agree with you. I think he was changing again and I'm not totally sure he would have stayed as peaceful.

Nevertheless, he was a remarkable man. Intelligent and talented and very charismatic. On the whole, I think what he did was probably good for the Afro-Americans of that time in terms of building pride but Mr. Marable has a good point when he talks about Malcolm's failure to appreciate the advances made by a non-violent approach and what they meant to the majority of Blacks. What he thought of as an Uncle Tom attitude allowed millions of black people to join the mainstream through desegregated schools and the voting booth. (hide spoiler)]

by Maya Angelou

[Rachel]

Discussion question on Malcolm's assissination

(view spoiler)[

Do you think Malcolm welcomed his death? Why did he ignore some of the signs, i.e. not search attendees at his rallies

I honestly don't think that he was expecting something to happen. Otherwise why would he bring his children there- and risk their safety? I don't know about anyone else but I am kind of thinking that he still had some faith in Elijah Muhammad- that despite their differences that Muhammad would not let his followers take it that far. And maybe he was hoping for a reconciliation of some sort? Not to be back in NOI per say- but just a peaceful btw the two organizations? (hide spoiler)]

[Rachel]

Discussion question 16

(view spoiler)[
1. Is it odd that the MMI brotherhood did not react as expected in the moments after the shooting for a group intent on violence? Most fell to the floor or left the building. It did not seem as though anyone tried to protect Malcolm. What are your thoughts?

Yes I found that odd, and the fact that even seconds after the shooting that none of the members ran over to Malcolm to see if he was alright? I honestly don't think anyone tried to protect him- he was basically an open target. which is making question the motives MMI. I think they certainly have motive to kill him considering that Malcolm's own ideals were going a different direction from their own. The NOI sounds like an organization that you just cant leave. You can leave but you probably end up in a body bag or seriously injured (hide spoiler)]

[Rachel]

Discussion question on Malcolm's infidelities

(view spoiler)[

Were you surprised that Malcolm continued to have infidelities after becoming orthodox Islam? Were there other inconsistencies in how he was living vs. the tenets of living for an orthodox Muslim?

No not really, I think that Malcolm sounded like a contradictory person in general. He was unhappy in his marriage. I think his affair with FIFI was due to loneliness, not that that excused it. But he had been away from Betty for almost 5 months. I think that the on going affair he had when he came back from the U.S was in response to Betty's affair. (hide spoiler)]

[Helga]

A comment about Maya Angelou
(view spoiler)[Maya Angelou was a friend of Malcolm X during the time he was promoting human rights. This is what attracted Angelou to his cause. She wasn't interested in the non-violent aspects as she was also a friend with James Baldwin and Martin Luther King's causes of civil rights. She was going to organize a march when he was assassinated. Baldwin encouraged her to write to get out of her depression after King's death. (hide spoiler)]

Maya Angelou

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 7 Discussion Questions - pages 180 - 210

(view spoiler)[1. How do you think Elijah Muhammad's affairs affected his standing with the Nation of Islam? With Malcolm X?

I believe it was a public secret. Everybody knew about it, but didn't talk or do anything about it. Elijah might have started loosing Malcolm respect, but he didn't do anything about it either. I wonder how he would have reacted if he knew immediately that Evelyn was involved, given his supposed strong feelings for her.

2. How do you think the Los Angeles culture and racial tensions there affected Malcolm X?

The racial tensions and violence towards Black community there was, I think, a turning point for Malcolm. He couldn't resign to doing nothing, and, I believe, this was the trigger that would lead to separation between him and Elijah and NOI. Too bad it took him so long. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pages 155 - 170."

Samanta - Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pg 155-170

(view spoiler)[And yet, people drink the kool-aid, as they say. Ultimately, others saw the holes as well and would not join the NOI, but they were watching Malcolm. I'm curious how much membership changed (positive or negative) after Malcolm left. I'll have to look into that. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pages 170 - 179."

Samanta - Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Question - pages 170-179

(view spoiler)[Politics, at least here in the U.S. often comes down to negotiations, especial the higher up you go. That's what keeps lobbyists in a job. It's the "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" mentality. One guy needs to get votes in the House or Senate to get a bill pass, and another one needs votes for his bill. "I'll get Senator Yeah-Hoo to vote for your bill if you'll get me Senator Whatizname to vote for mine." It doesn't matter what side of politics they're on. So sadly, the negotiation with KKK is not all that unusual. Sad? YES! But I'm afraid it probably happens more than John Q. Public knows. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Pamela wrote: " Response to Teri About Possible Malcolm X."

Pamela - Malcolm X Legacy

Thank you for your citation on Maya Angelou. I forgot it myself!

(view spoiler)[Thank you so much for your perspective, Pamela. I had not considered the atmosphere of the late 60s after his death and that certainly makes me think that perhaps he would have been more radicalized. I would have like to think he would have become more peaceful and even joined MLK, but now, I don't think so.

I agree he was a remarkable man. I didn't know details about him before reading this book, but knew he advocated violence. I see why so many Afro-Americans of the time watched and listened. (hide spoiler)]

Maya Angelou

[Teri]

Rachel wrote: "Discussion question on Malcolm's assassination."

Rachel - Malcolm X's Assassination

(view spoiler)[You may very well be right. I get the feeling that Malcolm really wanted that connection to Elijah to be strong, despite what he did. I suppose he held out hope that Elijah had a heart and still loved Malcolm. Obviously, Elijah was able to distance himself from him and/or his henchmen took matters into their own hands. Very sad that Malcolm's kids had to witness that. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Rachel wrote: "Discussion question on Malcolm's infidelities "

Rachel - Malcolm's Infidelities

(view spoiler)[What really surprised me was not that he had an affair to retaliate on Betty but that he was starting to immerse himself in orthodox Islam and that an affair would have been a no-no, or would it?

Even MLK is rumored to have had affairs. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Helga wrote: "A comment about Maya Angelou
[spoilers removed]"

Helga - Maya Angelou

(view spoiler)[Ahhh...Thanks for that info. I knew she had been a friend of MLK, but had no idea that she knew Malcolm or spent time with him in Africa. Another person I should learn more about. Sadly, I have not read any of her books but have read some of her poetry online. (hide spoiler)]

Don't forget the citation. I did! ;-)

Maya Angelou

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 7 Discussion Questions - pages 180 - 210."

Samanta - Chapter 7 Discussion Questions

(view spoiler)[I think you are very right that the LA killing was a likely trigger. It hit very close to home and it didn't seem that Elijah was half so concerned as Malcolm. I agree that was when Elijah started realizing that he may not have been able to control Malcolm. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Week 4 Discussion Questions - Malcolm X: The Movie

Have you see the Spike Lee movie Malcolm X? It's a holiday weekend in the United States. If you have some extra time and have not see the movie, I encourage you to do so. It's a 3+ hour movie, so grab a tub of popcorn.

(view spoiler)[1. What did you think of the movie and Denzel Washington's portrayal?

2. Did you see any inconsistencies between what you learned in Marable's book and the movie? Anything significant that was left out? The movie is technically based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

by Malcolm X


Denzel Washington as Malcolm X (hide spoiler)]

[Helga]

Teri wrote: "Helga wrote: "A comment about Maya Angelou
[spoilers removed]"

Helga - Maya Angelou

[spoilers removed]

Don't forget the citation. I did! ;-)


Thanks. I added it.



[author:Maya Angelou|..."

[Pamela]

Teri wrote: "Helga wrote: "A comment about Maya Angelou
[spoilers removed]"

Helga - Maya Angelou

[spoilers removed]

Don't forget the citation. I did! ;-)

[author:Maya Angelou|..."

Helga, do you happen to know why Maya Angelou decided to go to Africa and live? That was something I never knew before.

[Samanta]

Teri wrote: "Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Questions - pages 170 - 179."

Samanta - Response to Chapter 6 Discussion Question - pages 170-179

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Not much different here in Croatia, unfortunately. That is why we have all kinds of idiots ruling out country, while people who can actually do something can't get close enough. Power and riches have become the main reasons for entering politics, and I'm sure Elijah was no better. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Teri wrote: "Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 7 Discussion Questions - pages 180 - 210."

Samanta - Chapter 7 Discussion Questions

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That and, now that I think better of the whole thing (in the light of the day, when I'm not so tired :) ), the negotiations with KKK. >He didn't really want to do it, but was given the order from above. (hide spoiler)]

[Samanta]

Response to Chapter 8 Discussion Questions - pages 211 - 234

(view spoiler)[1. We start to see some of Malcolm's actions affecting the image of the Nation of Islam. What do you think most affects this image? How are the members of the Nation of Islam starting to see Malcolm at this point? A leader or someone to avoid?

His verbal blunders while doing the lectures. No matter how much you might hate someone, you do not go around saying that God did you a service by killing that person. No, Sir, just not done!
The members closest to Elijah (especially his progeny) see Malcolm as a possible heir to the throne, therefore dangerous. A typical case of something possibly good (NOI), turning into a struggle for power and money. Humans are delightful creatures.

2. Malcolm meets several people at this period in his life. Do you think they had a positive affect on his life? Do you think Malcolm had a profound affect on them? What about Malcolm seemed to draw in people like Muhammad Ali?

I think that the people he met made him see the flaws in NOI, and start to (slowly) change his entire viewpoint, and tolerate less the problems inside the NOI and in whole U.S. in terms of relationship with Black and White people.
He did have a profound effect, Every time we meet a new convert in this book, they get out of the first meeting totally in awe with Malcolm. We already know that he had the charisma, but he also had that voice which could mesmerize a person, he used it without raising it and, we must not forget, he was a very intelligent and educated person. Self-educated yes, but educated all the same. It wasn't like you were speaking to a person who didn't know what to say at the appropriate time. He even gained respect from his verbal opponents. (hide spoiler)]

[Teri]

Week 4 Discussion Questions - Wrap Up

I want to first thank everyone who participated in the May Book of the Month selection of Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. I enjoy the chance to dig in deep on these books and learn a bit from the book and participants along the way.

(view spoiler)[1. Do you think that Marable successfully presented his idea of Malcolm reinventing his self throughout his life?

2. What major takeaways or ideas have you learned from reading Marable's book?

3. Did your idea of Malcolm X change after reading this book?

(hide spoiler)]

[Helga]

Pamela wrote: "Teri wrote: "Helga wrote: "A comment about Maya Angelou
[spoilers removed]"

Helga - Maya Angelou

[spoilers removed]

Don't forget the citation. I did! ;-)

[author:..."

She was a civil rights worker in 1961 and went to Egypt with an activist partner and then after breaking up moved to Ghana with her son. She met WEB DuBois and other writers and journalists. She was a journalist at this time.

[Helga]

Final Thoughts

(view spoiler)[Marable wrote a true accounting of Malcolm X based on a lot of research and his reinvention. I became somewhat disenchanted with Malcolm X with this true account versus the sensationalized fictive accounting in his Autobiography which painted the more positive effects and actions of Malcolm X. It did not portray the white racism and anti-Semitism of Malcolm X as Marable’s’ book depicted and the hypocrisy of Malcolm. He did learn the truth of the Islamic religion and that his original view was created by a false messenger Elisha Mohammad and that all whites are not devils. Marable describes how he failed to appreciate the path to civil rights as achieved by MLK and NAACP and SNNC and non-violent means. He did become more peaceful in his last days and spoke more positively of civil rights through their means. I am uncertain if he would have remained so peaceful with the turmoil of the later 60’s.
Haley, an excellent writer, had to portray Malcolm in a more favorable light for Malcolm and his followers and Malcolm’s approval. Marable’s book written after his death, told the true version of things and shed light to the controversies and explored in depth the life of this intelligent, charismatic person. My feelings before reading this book were more positive as I learned about Malcolm X from Haley’s portrayal in the autobiography which was slanted more favorably. In Marable’s book, I learned the truth about the NOI and its followers and their views and the true story of Malcolm X. He described a man who courageously challenged and transformed himself and sought a vision of a world without racism. (hide spoiler)]

[Pamela]

Response to Teri

Thanks again, Teri for leading this month's discussion. I always enjoy them and learn something new as well. This time was especially good as I hadn't planned on joining in initially. I'm glad I did.

(view spoiler)[
I think Manning Marable wrote a very good book about Malcolm X and the many changes he went through before his death. I suspect there would have been even more had he lived. The book was not without controversy, however. Many people object to some of the things presented and have accused Marable of attempting to make Malcolm X more appealing to liberals. Personally, I don't see that but these black scholars have published a compilation of essays to make their point: A Lie of Reinvention: Correcting Manning Marable's Malcolm X. Can't say I plan to read it but I thought I would include it in case anyone else would like to.

I thought Malcolm X was an interesting and charismatic person originally when I was a teenager and Marable's book reemphasized that for me. After reading this book, I came away very impressed at Malcolm X's ability to self-educate and change his views and his life. (hide spoiler)]

by Jared Ball(no photo)

[Teri]

Samanta wrote: "Teri wrote: "Samanta wrote: "Response to Chapter 7 Discussion Questions - pages 180 - 210."

Samanta - Chapter 7 Discussion Questions

(view spoiler)[Good catch - I'm not sure that I even picked up on that point, that he was ordered to work with the KKK. That makes more sense. (hide spoiler)]