Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Individual Activity
As promised yesterday, here's what I want you to do in connection with seeing "Malcolm and Martin: Implications of Their Legacies for the Future" tomorrow (Thurs. 4/16). After seeing the film I want you to write a couple-paragraph response describing what you believe to be the most significant similarity or parallel between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King brought out by either speaker (Imam Zaid or Cornel West). Post your response as a comment on this blog by next Tuesday, 4/21. This exercise is worth 5 points.
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Imam Zaid drew some very poignant parallels between Malcolm X and King. Zaid called attention to the fact that America had dehumanized both men, but that they has looked within themselves and found the wherewithal to overcome their given positions and become magnanimous leaders. Though Malcolm X and King were made into made into very different things by the American system, one a drug user and criminal and the other a middle class preacher, both were able to convert the identities they were given. In Malcolm’s case this meant improving himself through self -education in prison. For Martin the change was more unconventional. He could have lead a very comfortable life and turned his eye to less fortunate Negroes, but he chose to make himself uncomfortable and fight for the betterment of all.
ReplyDeleteIn both cases, knowledge was the key to power. As Zaid points out, knowledge is only a transformative and empowering force when it settles into a humble heart. Both Malcolm and Martin possessed humble hearts, giving them a hunger for knowledge criticism, and allowing them to constantly reassess themselves. This reassessment allowed both figures to evolve and grow enormously throughout their short lives and careers.
The most significant similarity between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King brought out in the speeches we saw last thurs was that both activists understood the importance of using young people in the movement for freedom. Younger generations have a sense of vitality and are usually quick to embark on a struggle for change, rather than live within the given situation, which is why both leaders recognized the importance of the younger generations. Another parallel brought out about both leaders was that each one is subjected to a type of persona today. Martin Luther King and "clausification", and Malcolm X with a radical and violent association. However, both are able to "transcend" (I quoted this because the speaker used it a lot) these classifications. Lastly, a quote that brings both figures together as 'we' was particularly poignant: "We did not die for young people to be a success, we died for them to be great"...Thus both leaders died for the same cause and for the same struggle for freedom.
ReplyDeleteCornel West brought out the most significant similarity that I saw between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. It was near the end of his talk when he was describing how many of today’s black leaders are concerned with getting money, but they do it the way they are supposed to. He said that both King and Malcolm X did were leaders because they failed to be the norm and fit in. The felt strongly about what they believed in and were not interested in becoming popular or famous. Mr. West spoke how we need more of those types of leaders and role models. Mr. West said how today we need more of those kind or role models. My only complaint against that is that today is a very different society. I may add to that, it is okay to look up to successful people and blacks who make a lot of money, but blacks who are not involved in athletics or the entertainment business. I think that is more relevant to today’s world. It is Charles Barkley, a former African American basketball player, who says young blacks need other role models besides athletes and entertainers. He says young blacks should want to grow up and be doctors or lawyers, or other professions and that those people need to be the role models and the ones who are looked up to.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the two different lectures, the most striking similarity between Malcom X and Martin Luther King that was discussed was how they felt about their religious ties. Both Leaders did not just consider religion as a means to an end but rather as a means to a higher end. They were able transcend their religious contexts and display their message that reached out beyond their community. Their messages were shaped by more than just the forces of religion, but rather from a deep conviction for humanity.
ReplyDeleteImam Zaid Shakir’s correlation of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King was very powerful. He brought many similarities and spoke on how to keep their legacies alive. He said that MLK was a very successful educated middle class preacher who could have lived a comfortable life. However, Dr. King found it in himself to transcend what America made him. Shakir said if we have been dehumanized, we have to collectively find it in ourselves to transcend in order to make a transformation in America. He said both King and X believed knowledge was the key to power. They both were highly educated, but their education was achieved in dramatically different circumstances. One has to strive to deepen their knowledge base; however, knowledge is only power when it settles into a humble heart. Malcolm X was a different man in 1960 than he was in 1965 as King was from 1965 to 1968. Shakir said both men grew as they were affected by the knowledge they received. We have to allow ourselves the opportunity to grow. One thing King and X both did, he said, was put their knowledge at the service of their people. Many knowledge people today put their knowledge towards materialistic things. If you read the bios of King and X you will see they were inspired by the consciousness of fact that they owe a debt to their people. Shakir ended by saying we stand on their [King and X] shoulders and must acknowledge their debt by allowing others to stand on our shoulders; if we do not we are betraying the legacies of King and X.
ReplyDeleteWhile there were several poignant statements made by both men, two stand out as the most important. These statements show a direct parallel in the ways that the two men lived and how they are being treated now.
ReplyDeleteThe first is when Zaid stated that we must acknowledge the sacrifices of King and X. By not understanding their sacrifices and the great amount of work they were able to accomplish in their loves. Moreover, we all must acknowledge that they were trailblazers for us all, no matter our race. But, this leads into the next point which to me, is more important.
West continues this argument by expounding on his biggest irritation with the common teachings on King and X: their "Santa Clausification". In this, West is arguing that the men are becoming fairy tales. We are forgetting how radical both men were and ignoring their faults. In doing this, we are ignoring their humanity and thus disrespecting their legacies.
Both Imam Zaid Shakir and Dr. Cornel West presented intriguing speeches on the impact and similarities shared between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Both Shakir and West portrayed them as revolutionary men, who were not afraid to speak boldly about the injustices of their society.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the thing that I think is there most important similarity is the strength and legitimacy that they derived from their religious views. Although they had opposing religious views, they were in essence working for the same goals.
Mr. Shakir exquisitely explains this similarity when he talks about how both Dr. King and Malcolm X understood that "religion is divorced from its ethical foundation and becomes an end in and of itself and not a means to a higher end, then that's a dangerous situation. Thus, these two leaders did not have a Marxist of religion but saw it as tool that could help society reach a higher end.
Nevertheless, both Malcolm and Martin did not shy away from indicating when there fellow worshippers were not using religion to reach a higher end. After his trip to Mecca, Malcolm X developed a clearer understanding of the teaching of Islam and divorced from the Nation of Islam. For Martin, it meant addressing the complacency that had the possibility of arising amongst Christians. I think Dr. King beautifully comments on this inaction in his address entitled "Facing the Challenge of a New Age". In it Dr. King tells his listeners that:
I have talked about the new age which is fastly coming into being. I have talked about the fact that God is working in history to bring about a new age. There is a danger, therefore, that after hearing all of this you will go away with the impression that we can go home, sit down, and do nothing, waiting for the coming of the inevitable. You will somehow feel that there is nothing to do but wait on it. If you get that impression you are the victims of an illusion wrapped in superficiality. We must speed up the coming of the inevitable
Thus, I believe that their adherence to their religion was a powerful force in their lives and gave each of them the ability “to transcend” their present situations because of a deep desire to eradicate their society of injustices.
The two speakers Shakir and West brought out many points about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Both speakers in the video spoke with determination and power which made their talks more interesting. Shakir stated that Martin and Malcolm had the courage to address double standards. Many people during this time would stand and face the problems that were going on in America. America made Malcolm X a pimp, drug user/seller, a criminal, but he was able to find the strength to transcend what America made him. Shakir also mentioned that Dr. King was made into a successful, highly educated, middle-class preacher by America, but he was also able to transcend what America made him. According to Shakir, knowledge was the key to power and Malcolm and King put their knowledge at the service of the people. Shakir focused on the individual and not the institutions in which we live in. He also mentioned how the youth of America provide spark to change in the way we live. On the other hand, West argued how the people are not really showing respect to King and Malcolm. People tend to treat them as like they never existed and the people never really focus in the change they made in America even though both were radicals in a sense. Malcolm was a radical who promoted violence and King was a radical in the way he preached to the people, but he took a nonviolent approach to the situation of the civil rights movement.
ReplyDeleteBoth speakers made interesting points about the two leaders. in my opinion,Shakir's speech proved to be more enticing as well as relevant. He got directly to the point and made comparisons between modern day society and the philosophies of both leaders. he stressed that while different, both MLK and Malcom X were considered wise philosophers with insights that can still be used today.
ReplyDelete