Family Activity on "X"

As you know, we will be seeing Spike Lee's film biography of Malcolm X, "X", next Tuesday, 2/26. Again, be prepared for a long session. If we begin at 2:30 and have a brief intermission, we won't wrap up until around 5:45. By next Tuesday I trust that you will be nearing the end of the Autobiography. Below is a family activity we'll be doing in conjunction with viewing the film.

FAMILY ACTIVITY ON "X"

In the spirit of the letter I wrote to Spike Lee on behalf of an Interim class I was teaching when his film was in production (reproduced below), I would like each of the families to consider how you would have advised him in making his film biography of Malcolm X. Would you have emphasized some different aspects of his life? What do you believe he did right, and what was done poorly? Or, how would you defend his work as it is? Following our viewing of the film next week, I want each family to discuss the above questions and arrive at some consensus on the answers. Then, I want each of the families to compose a response to those questions (2-3 pages, at most), which you will present to the class. I will give you some class time to confer with your fellow family members, but it may also be necessary to get together outside of class. At this point I am not sure when you will be called upon to present your findings, but you'll have at least a week or more to put something together. This activity is worth 6 points and everyone has to participate to earn those points.

_______________________

Letter to Spike Lee:

Mr. Spike Lee
124 Dekalb Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Dear Mr. Lee, January 21, 1992

We the participants in Interim Project #301: "Malcolm, Martin, and Racial Issues in the 1990s," applaud your efforts to make a film based on the life of Malcolm X. As we are sure you know as well as anyone, it is an imposing task to bring to the screen the complex life of this much misunderstood, and often unfairly maligned, man who spoke so powerfully on behalf of African Americans. We feel his is a story that needs to be told and remembered as much as the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.. We understand that your efforts have met with criticism and skepticism from some segments of the black community. In light of this, you will find enclosed short essays from each of us addressing the broad question of how we would have tried to tackle the story of Malcolm X, what we would have emphasized. We realize that your film is probably near completion or finished, but you might find the enclosed essays entertaining, perhaps even informative. Please do not regard these essays as further criticism or efforts at arm-chair directing, but more as an extended fan letter from some students who have been studying the life and philosophy of Malcolm X and who hope and trust that your film will be truly great.

With kindest regards,