At the end of our first class yesterday I showed a brief clip of Malcolm X entitled "Who Are You?". You can find that clip if you want to review it by going to YouTube and simply typing in Malcolm X. What I want you to do, again, is to post a comment on it, addressing the question of whether you believe what Malcolm X says is "ancient" history (i.e., just of historical interest) or whether it has any relevance to our time? You're welcome to make any other observation you'd like to make about it. I am just looking for a couple paragraphs. I forgot to mention yesterday that this exercise is worth 5 activity points. The deadline for submitting your comment is next Tuesday (2/12).
Also, as I noted at the end of class, begin reading the Autobiography for class tomorrow. See you then.
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Despite the improvements in civil rights for African Americans, it would be unfair to say that the remarks made by Malcolm X in the video clip are entirely 'ancient history.'The fact that race relations have improved dramatically does not take away from the fact that much of African culture was absorbed and transformed with the mass movement of slaves to the Americas. In the clip, Malcolm speaks of African Americans losing their native languages and their original names.
The replacement of African culture in times of slavery is still evident given the fact that many African Americans have last names that were forced on them by their ancestors' white owners.
The import of slaves into the Americas irreversibly changed many original aspects of African culture and heritage. A loss of native language and culture creates the identity crisis that begs the question, "Who are you?, that Malcolm raises so eloquently in his speech. The brief views of the audience in the clip indicate that Malcolm's forceful but intelligent speech truly captured their attention. He asks "Who are you?" because he believes that African Americans have been stripped of their identity due to the white man's oppression, which began with slavery and continued to exist as he gave this speech.
Nothing is ever ancient history because there is always something to learn from what was said in the past. As an African American of my generation, I do not believe that I have struggled and struggle that Malcolm X speaks of. The struggle that he speaks of is one my grandmother and grandfather fought. My struggle is quite different. I believe Malcolm X’s speech applies to me because it asks the question “Who Are You?” Who am I when I leave home and go into the world? Do I give in to the ways of the world and forget where I came from and forget what I was taught? Do I forget what my grandmother always said “reputation is what people think of you and character is who you are”? To answer Malcolm X’s question: Who Are You? I am a young African American female. My name is Brittani Minnieweather, that was my father’s, my grandfather’s name, and the name that I carry proudly.
In Malcolm’s speech “Who Are You?” the words that Malcolm speak, are still relevant in today’s society. Malcolm calls democracy a hypocrisy in that this great land of the United States where all men are suppose to be created equal and there be justice for all, is nothing but a lie. Not all men are created equal, especially the Black man. Black people are still treated like savages. They are still thought of at times to be ignorant and know nothing therefore people feel like they can get over on them, which is not fair at all. There’s injustice going on right now with the Jena 6 case which is very absurd.
It’s very important that young African Americans know their history and the struggle that their ancestors had to go through, just for them to be here at this point. Most of the African culture is lost to today’s society. They know nothing of where they come from, the language or culture, but being and African American I am proud of my American history, even my African history, the little bit I know about it. I’m not just African, I’m African American. I love my American name and I would have it no other way. My ancestors were given the last name Hunter by their slave owner, who they called “Boss Man.” I am very proud of the name Hunter, because the man that gave my ancestors that last name is also happens to be my great great-grandfather as well.
I agree with the comments made by Malcolm X about American society and democracy, and feel that they are still relevant today. The inequalities that minorities have to endure are hypocrisy of the foundations that the United States was built on. Though American society has improved and the freedoms, justice, and equalities that are promised to all American citizens have been more attainable for minorities, there still is work to be done. African Americans have come a long way in gaining their civil rights since this speech was made, but the hypocrisy and injustices aren’t limited to African Americans. As their voices have become stronger and louder over time, Hispanics, women, and gay people are some of the groups of minorities that still endure the injustices of American society. Malcolm X’s words cannot be considered “ancient history” when society still doesn’t have full equality.
The remarks made by Malcolm X are still relevant today. The youth of today do not seem to be interested in where they came from; it is important to know your history. My paternal great-great-grandfather received the name Holcombe when he arrived in America. He was sold to a slaveholder in Culpeper, Virginia then brought to Inman, South Carolina. Who was he before then; it was that day in Culpeper that my great-great-grandfather lost his name, his history, and his identity. My family eventually dropped the “e” from Holcombe as a way to dissociate from a name that was not ours from the beginning.
I believe the youth of today, as well as some of the elders, should take an interest in who they are. Knowing this is imperative to keeping history alive and it is helpful when trying to make certain decisions. America, land of the free and home of the brave, a country built on democracy; Malcolm quotes that the democracy in this country is hypocrisy. As a minority, first being woman and second a Black woman, I feel as though I am at the bottom of the “totem pole” when it comes to equality. In another speech, Malcolm X says that the Black woman is the most disrespected person. Our country we call home is a country that has a government system “by the people”; yet, “the people” in this country are still mistreated every day. Democracy is not as much of hypocrisy as it was when Malcolm delivered this speech; however, there is still a long journey ahead to achieve equality for all people. Equality and Democracy begins with knowing your history and knowing who you are. Until this is achieved, Malcolm X’s words are not “ancient history” but are a reminder of what is relevant today.
I would like to respond to Malcolm X's comments one by one. I will start off by saying that his comments still have relevance today.
1. "if you cannot do what the white man does for himself then don't call yourself equal"--I will say that this is true sometimes racially and even socio-economically. In today's justice system, many more Blacks are incarcerated for longer periods of time than are whites. Moreover, there are still many instances of racial profiling and police brutality. Accordingly, many people are not "equal" in the legal system and this inequality extends further than in the justice system.
2. "Who are you?"--Am I Black or am I African American? This is an issue because people don't know what to say in order to be politically correct. Furthermore, people who are considered to be Black or African American do not all agree as to what they feel they should be called. One thing that has plagued my mind for many years is the idea that Whites claim all types of European heritages. I know my mother and her mother and her mother are not light-skinned by chance. The fact of the matter is that somewhere along the line, some white man slept with one of my women ancestors. So, why do I not have the option to say that I am Irish American as many people would say that my last name implies. Furthermore, whites say that they are American. Why am I not able to be just called American? Why do I have to be called African-American? Honestly speaking, I know no more about Africa than do some whites. Why must I embrace one aspect of who I am? I am not saying this to imply that I hate being Black or something because I am honestly proud to be a Black woman.
3. "What tongue do you speak?"--Many Blacks are ridiculed because of using slang terminology. However, one day it all of sudden became cool to use slang in advertising and all sorts of things. For instance, people spell out words ending in -ing without the g (jumpin'). Not to mention, bootylicious has now been included in a dictionary. Moreover, a lot of Americans are so self-righteous and believe that they speak perfect English when in fact, the majority of Americans place prepositions at the ends of sentences. Also, a lot of Americans misuse "I", "we", "myself" and "me".
4."Where is your history?"--Many history books leave out or downplay "African-American" history which is really American history. In fact, the truth about the Wilmington Race Riots was not known until 2000. White people in that North Carolina fabricated the events of the race riots.
5. "American Justice"--As I said before, Blacks are incarcerated at a higher rate than are Whites and are unfairly given harsher sentences. In my opinion, a drug is a drug is a drug. Whether it is crack cocaine, powder cocaine (which is needed, along with water and baking soda, to make crack cocaine), heroin, methamphetamines, or abused prescription drugs, all deserved the same penalty because all are drugs. However, are the Reagan administration allowed the importation of drugs to fund the Contras in Nicaragua, they legislature decided to hand down harsher penalties for crack cocaine which was used most commonly among Blacks. Powder cocaine is more concentrated than crack cocaine but cocaine possession receives 100 times less time than do crack cocaine possessors. And I am confused why this drug considered to be more deserving of harsher prison sentences. Is it because water and baking soda (both legal substances) are added? If I am not mistaken, in order to create methamphetamines, OTC drugs and household cleaners are used and these things are highly explosive but the people caught in possession of these things do not receive such harsh penalties. So, democracy, American Democracy, is hypocrisy when it comes to things such as this.
Malcolm’s speech is very relevant today because the past is the most important resource that we have regarding how to shape our future into what we want it to be. “Where is your history?” Is an important question because African American history is largely neglected. Many people believe that it is better to leave the past in the past and only look ahead to the future, but this severely limits progress and makes it possible for similar events to repeat themselves. In order to present strength in the face of adversity it is important to have the lessons and experiences gained from the past to back you up. Malcolm is telling his peers to know their history and use it as a source of power and pride.
It is relevant to address democracy as hypocrisy because although the power is given to the people (which is supposed to be a good thing), as long as the majority is primarily self-interested then there will not be complete equality for minorities.
Reflecting on Malcolm X's "Who Are You" speech, I feel that the points made by Malcolm are absolutely still relevant today. In order to assimilate Africans into a life of slavery in America, slave owners stripped them of their identity and customs. Sadly, this loss of self became a pattern in African American culture even after slavery ended. Malcolm recognized this and desperately wanted African Americans to rediscover who they were as a culture, and what it truly meant to be black. While Malcolm helped bring this issue to light in the 1960s, it is still something that African Americans struggle with today. Just because racial equality in America has improved does not mean that it isn't still a problem. Until racial equality in America is achieved, I feel that the message expressed in Malcolm's speech will continue to remain important and influential.
Malcolm X states, "What was your name? It couldn't have been Smith or Jones...that wasn't your name. They don't have those kind of names where you and I came from. No, what was your name? And why don't you now know what your name was then?...Where is your history?"
Malcom X's speech, "Who Are You?" continues to have relevance in our society today. I believe many people in the African American community are not aware of their history and where they originate. Many people presently do not know their lineage perhaps their great grandmothers. And I believe knowing your roots can create deep self-pride which is something Malcolm X promoted through his religion and his speeches. He always stated that through learning about ourselves and having a renewed independent type of thinking we would be able to bring an end to all of the racial hatred and biotry. Malcolm X's words will continue to have relevance until his most basic ideas are embraced wholeheartedly by the African American community. It is obvious we still have a long way to go among racial lines and until we are truly equal his words will never lose pertinence.
Malcolm X's comments are completely relevant. Though history is not being repeated, there still are ways at which African Americans can relate to his views. Malcolm X states that "if you cannot do what the white man does for himself then don't call yourself equal". Most would agree that African Americans have progressed tremendously with their civil rights, but with these rights come pressure to succeed better than the "white man". There has been many instances when a "white man" was hired for a job that a "black man" was well qualified to do. Even though blacks have come a long way, there is still more work to come. As a young African American woman, I think that there will never be a time where a person of another race, that does not know you personally, will be able to get to know you without having their own judgments of "who you are" first.
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