Malcolm X: A teacher to Americans. Chelsea Robinson

Transcription

1 Malcolm X: A teacher to Americans Chelsea Robinson Humanities 11 Mr. Barclay and Ms. Hou 22 May 2015

2 Robinson 1 America s founding fathers declared a nation full of equality and freedom for all; however, for black Americans, that saying was nothing but a falsehood. After years of abuse and intense labor, black Americans continued to endure a division against a more superior race. For many living in the south in 1870, basic rights such as being able to vote or get an education were nothing but an idea written down. Oppression and segregation was the average lifestyle for Afro-Americans, until black activist decided to come together and create a change not only for themselves, but the nation as a whole. Known as the Civil Rights Movement of 1964, black leaders rallied for discrimination and separation to come to an end by protesting and speaking in front of crowds, both young and old. While many mainstream activist spoke on integration with a race that treated black Americans with little to no respect, Malcolm X, a man not afraid to speak the truth, strayed away to instill a sense of pride to Africans who were Americans. In the 17 th century, Africans were brought over to American colonies to provide a cheap labor source to settlers. Known as slaves, Africans became completely dependent towards their owner, undergoing harsh beatings while working on plantations. After suffering over a century of brutality, the 13 th and 14 th amendment was passed in 1865, abolishing slavery and allowing slaves to receive citizenship and equal protection appointed by the Constitution ( Malcom X ). Ultimately, slaves were given a sense of hope and acceptance towards the foreign country. However, majority of free slaves continued to be violated and overlooked by white supremacist, such as the Ku Klux Klan, unable to gain a position in American society. During this time many blacks were frustrated and helpless trying to become a part of the American culture. After slaves became free many proud Africans believed straying away from America was the most reasonable thing to do. Earl Little, a reverend and dedicated member of the

3 Robinson 2 Universal Negro Improvement Association, believed that freedom, independence and selfrespect could never be achieved by the Negro in America, and that therefore the Negro should leave America to the white man and return to his African land of origin (X, Haley 14). Little, a confident and proud man followed his African heritage, erasing white Americans from his mindset. His strong authority and dedication brought not only his followers together, but his family as well. Although his organization ways gave Africans a sense of relief and hope, he continued to anger the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacists, which eventually resulted in his death. Earl s murder led to his wife s placement in a mental hospital and his children s placement in foster care. Born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm Little was born under Earl Little and suffered racism due to his father s avocation of Afro-Americans rights. After his father s murder, Malcolm endured several years of living in different foster homes and ongoing violent behavior in which he adopted from his father s continuous rage for black rights. Eventually, Malcolm was sentenced to prison for eight to ten years at the age of twenty one in 1946 for breaking and entering ( Malcolm X Imprisoned ). Over the course of his sentence, Malcolm was introduced to the Black Muslims, a new branch of The Nation of Islam. The society s avocation for racial separation and Black Nationalism had a powerful effect on Malcolm. Little began to self-educate himself on the teachings of the Black Muslims and permanently changed his last name to X to indicate his stolen African identity. ( Malcolm X ). During X s time of training, he developed a strong love for Elijah Muhammad, the leader, enhancing his confidence and dignity as a human being. After several years of self-discipline and studying the NOI, Malcolm X was paroled in 1952, gaining the chance to meet Muhammad himself. Within a year he officially joined the Nation of Islam and began his journey promoting black American s rights.

4 Robinson 3 During his protest, Malcolm encouraged violent actions as a last option in order to achieve social equality for black Americans ( Malcolm X Imprisoned ). X s proactive and vengeful speeches not only challenged the white race s authority, but revealed a side every Black American was missing; courage. During his time of protest, White Americans failed to realize the true understanding of Malcolm X s violent ways. In his speech, Message to Grassroots he stated, if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people ( Message to Grassroots ). The government took Malcolm X s words and interpreted them as a sign of attack towards the white community. He continued his speech by stating, If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. ( Message to Grassroots ). The media gave a misconception of what Malcolm X truly believed about black brutality towards the white population. Malcolm said, When I say the white man is a devil, I speak with the authority of history. White men, as a people, have never done good. He brought us in chains-right? He has kept us in chains ever since (Perry 176). X loathed ignorance and whites who continued to act as though they still had authority over blacks. Malcolm simply did not preach hatred or violence towards the white race; he taught self-defense to the black community. He called out white Americans years of violence against black Americans and supported action to be taken upon the white community only if necessary. In a speech given in Detroit, Malcolm X stated, We are peaceful people, we are loving people. We love everybody who loves us. But we don t love anybody who doesn t love us. We re nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us ( Malcolm X: We re nonviolent ). X wanted the

5 Robinson 4 American society as a whole to understand blacks would never attack the white community first. Malcolm X not once supported violent actions to be taken amongst the white race if there was no reason to do so. From the very beginning, Malcolm X protested from his heart. In many eyes, his speeches were the most degrading and controversial speeches of the decade, only because he spoke the truth. His debates, speeches, and live broadcast, focused not on equality for all, but sovereignty for black people. Many white authorities deemed Malcolm a threat after he delivered one of the most important messages at the Harlem Freedom Rally. He concentrated not on NOI teachings, but on the black people of Harlem and the black people all over the Earth. He told the audience we are not gathered here rallying for freedom because we already gained freedom, we are rallying for the freedom we have long been promised, but have as yet not received (Marable 170). X was an articulate speaker and challenged Africans who were Americans to examine their exploitation. He was a teacher to blacks and not only persuaded them with his rhythmic language, but with his hand gestures and intense facial expressions. On October 30, 1961, Malcolm X prepared for The Howard debate against Bayard Rustin about blacks responsibility in American society. During the live broadcast debate, Malcolm announced his only credential for speaking the truth was his identity as a BLACK MAN, gaining full attention from the crowd. Throughout the debate Malcolm was relentless urging blacks to not seek the white mans love, but demand [his] respect (Marable 186). Malcolm X was fearless to express his ideas about the white population not giving respect towards blacks. Unlike many others, X called out the hypocrisy white Americans presented and faced discrimination head on instead of dismissing it.

6 Robinson 5 Malcolm X wanted blacks to see the true beauty of their heritage before accepting the white race. Malcolm X s purpose as a spokesperson was to have the nation understand discrimination led to blacks neglecting themselves. Malcolm stated in a live broadcast, The worst crime the white man committed was; and has been to teach us to hate ourselves. He goes on to say self-hatred caused black Americans to lose their identity, straighten their hair, and become involved in crime, drug addiction, and alcoholism ( Black Nationalism and Black Power ). Ultimately, Malcolm made it clear to blacks that their behavior was due to the nonacceptance presented in the country. He wanted black Americans to rise as a unit and stray away from being the underdog and rethink their position in society stating, We have been robbed deaf, dumb, and blind to the true knowledge of ourselves. We do not even know our original language. We carry the slave masters names and speak their language. How can people make others treat and respect them as human beings if they are culturally and spiritually dead? (Treanor 108-9). He created Black Nationalism awaking blacks to arise to their humanity and heritage. Black Nationalism ideologies focused on self-determination and independence of the African traditions. X advised black Americans to clean up themselves of drunkenness, profanity, drugs, crime and other moral failings. Furthermore, Malcolm X urged his people to protest for their constitutional voting rights and blacks studies within Universities (Treanor 109). He made sure blacks understood there was no need for integration if they could not accept their own race; therefore he insisted on black separation in order for blacks to truly claim their heritage. In a Ballroom in Harlem, Malcolm X told the crowd they should be proud of being black and God knows they should (Treanor 112). X was the true voice of black people and encouraged them to reflect on the meaning of their life. He reminded black people about the greatness within them teaching them they were more than a nigger.

7 Robinson 6 By embracing black heritage, Malcolm X separated himself from many black politicians during the Civil Rights Movement. He simply did not care for Black leaders who supported integration with the white population. He felt as though integration would make blacks weak stating: It's just like when you've got some coffee that's too black, which means it's too strong. What do you do? You integrate it with cream, you make it weak. But if you pour too much cream in it, you won't even know you ever had coffee. It used to be hot, it becomes cool. It used to be strong, it becomes weak. It used to wake you up, now it puts you to sleep. (Marable 306) Many thought statements like this were directed towards other black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. King s work appealed to both black and white people due to his focus on integration. King, the Civil Rights most praised leader, focused on non-violence and peaceful protest in order to become accepted in the white population. King identified non-violence as friendship and understanding going on to say it s either non-violence or nonexistence ( The Nonviolent Resistance ). King felt as though non-violence would eliminate the evil and hate produced by whites. However, Malcolm X stated the non-violence is more benefitting to the white man s tactics for keeping his foot on the black man s neck (Oates 251). In Malcolm s eyes, non-violence was just as equal as being defenseless. Malcolm could not support Martin s protest as he was urging the black population to become vulnerable in the face of one of the most cruel beast that has ever taken a people in captivity; the American white man (Oates 252). Due to his non-violent ways, Martin Luther King Jr. was compared to a present day Gandhi. Yet, Malcolm s views on the comparison was anything but an agreement to the metaphor. X stated King s Gandhi comparison will have King believe it; if he starts believing it he ll begin to act

8 Robinson 7 like it (Oates 252). King s biggest mistake during his protest is that he failed to realize black Americans should not feel the need to be accepted by white society. King was loved by whites because he strayed away from the crimes white Americans committed. White Americans continued to violate and beat blacks, yet King wanted Africans who were Americans to be cordial with each other. In one of King s sermons, Love Your Enemies, King preached Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend (Perry 299). Malcolm argued that King taught Negroes to love the white man who turned dogs and fire hoses on them in Birmingham and victimized black people for 400 years (Oates 252). Malcolm believed King s non-violence antics were just a show to the white man. King was essentially caught up in the media and drifted away from the truth Afro-Americans needed to hear. The major difference that set Malcolm X and King apart was that Malcolm encouraged blacks to see their self-worth in society. King said not what blacks should have heard, but what whites wanted to hear. From the beginning, King overlooked blacks history and the whippings they had to endure. However, Malcolm advocated for a proud black nation from the very beginning. Malcolm X was able to set himself apart from mainstream activist and focused not on approval of whites, but revolutionizing the black mind from obedient Negroes to fearless Afro-Americans. Malcolm X s arguments gave black Americans a newfound confidence on their role in American society. His words brought Afro-Americans together to fight against the white race on racial division. Black organization groups were created as a result of X s words, starting the Black Power movement of The Black Power movement further enhanced Malcolm s ideas of self-determination and dignity within America (Marable 480). Through Malcolm X s selfdefense promotion, blacks protected themselves with weapons and advocated their rights by

9 Robinson 8 protesting throughout cities. Not only did the older generation partake in Malcolm s X fight for courage, the younger generation did as well. They promoted black confidence through rhythmic poetry and song lyrics (Marable 480). Their words helped promote black political and educational changes that needed to be made in order to decrease racial separation. Malcolm X helped inspire blacks to stray away from being a victim and define their future as proud Americans. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X, the face of black encouragement, was assassinated while speaking in front of a New York City Rally. During Malcolm X s life as a black advocate, many viewed him as an extremist and violent man, who portrayed nothing but hatred towards the white race. Malcolm X was willing to do anything in order to obtain the rights his people deserved. During the Civil Rights Movement, he was aggressive unlike many other leaders and disliked by majority of the white population. Yet, after his death the American society began to respect Malcolm X s big picture as a teacher of black s acceptance within the United States. X was a revolutionary leader who constantly challenged the white race to reexamine their inhumane practices towards Afro-Americans. He wanted whites to reconsider their ideas about the black race and truly understand what they stripped black Americans of; their freedom and dignity. His childhood background, allowed him to relate to the racial division created amongst the white and black population. He was respected by black Americans because he refused to be recognized by anything else but black. He was a speaker for blacks who were too afraid to protest the anger they felt about their non-acceptance in America. Malcolm X wanted blacks to gain self-determination and pride of their black heritage back. He was an honest man who constantly urged the black population to stand up for the freedom they deserved. Unlike other

10 Robinson 9 black leaders, Malcolm X was an eloquent speaker who presented the truth and refused to please whites in order to be accepted by them.

11 Robinson 10 Works Cited "Black Nationalism and Black Power." Digital History Digital History, n.d. Web. 15 May "Malcolm X." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 7 May Marable, Manning. Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. New York: Viking, Print. "Mass Moments: Malcolm X Imprisoned." Mass Moments: Malcolm X Imprisoned Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities., Web. 10 May "Message to Grassroots." Teaching American History Ashbrook Center, Web. 10 May "Nonviolent Resistance." Nonviolent Resistance. Stanford University, n.d. Web. 15 May Oates, Stephen B. Let the Trumpet Sound: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Harper & Row, Print. Perry, Bruce. Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America. Barrytown, NY: Station Hill, Print. "Malcom X: We re Non-violent." Sociological Images RSS Sociological Images, Web. 22 May Treanor, Nick. The Civil Rights Movement. San Diego: Greenhaven, Print. X, Malcolm, and Alex Haley. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine, Print.