You've waited for it and now it is here. I'm just going to take this time reflect on Malcolm X and things I have learned about him from the film.
His Mission.
It's no secret that Malcolm X is definitely more aggressive than his southern counterpart, Martin Luther King, Jr. The fact that they both have two completely different religions says enough about their differences. But what about their mission? What is the difference between the mission of Martin and the mission of Malcolm? Consider their locations. Martin Luther King, Jr. ministered to the obvious and blatant racism within the south. Malcolm X catered to the psychologically oppressed negro of the North, a north that was not so blatant with racism. He enlightened people about the folly of depending on white America, having not been dependable in the past. He also inspired people to do more about their own situation in order to lift themselves up. He also created avenues by which Black people could become business owners, financially stable, etc. Malcolm is the Black History figure for right now. Why? We're beyond getting legislation and outright, blatant racism ( although it does sometimes occur). We're in the era of institutionalized racism that is subtle but psychologically deadly. We need someone who could bring it to light and inspire us to do better for ourselves. I say this not just to Black people but to all young people of my generation. We're getting lazy.
His Character
I love Jesus. That being said, I usually have a problem with discipline. If you cannot see the cognitive dissonance, let me break it down for you. I like Jesus and I would like to talk to Him early in the morning. Unfortunately, I also like sleep. I do not usually get a lot of time to talk to Jesus early in the morning. Malcolm X was not me. He slept probably 4-5 hours a night. And if there was something to be done, he would do with all his might. There is proverb some where about that... Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. Malcolm was so focused! I want that so bad it's not even funny.
His Message
America spends over 200 years telling black people that they were good for nothing more than manual labor. That doesn't just go away with a Civil War, Reconstruction, Amendments and Acts. That's a belief system and if you ever spoke to people who really believed in something (even though it was wrong), you know it would take a long time to convince them otherwise. The same goes for both White and Black America. Racism does not just go away in the minds of the oppressor nor in the minds of those who were oppressed. This belief system has tainted everything, even entertainment (I got a whole spiel on that!). Not only do white people view us as less than but we also view ourselves as less then or in comparison to them. Malcolm X motivated the Black people of this nation to think beyond their circumstances and see their true value. Self Esteem Boost Anyone?
Now I really want to break down this documentary. I think it is super important. So there is going to be a series, no doubt about it.
Future Posts:
Tonight: First Installment in the Malcolm X Documentary Commentary
Thursday: Update Don Lemon Post
Friday: Kwanzaa
Saturday Night: Second Installment in Malcolm X Documentary Commentary
Hints about the future: I got to mention my girl Viola Davis. Also I go to bring up Self esteem! And my hair!!!
I got to write down everything, or I forget about it. LOL
See ya'll later.
His Mission.
It's no secret that Malcolm X is definitely more aggressive than his southern counterpart, Martin Luther King, Jr. The fact that they both have two completely different religions says enough about their differences. But what about their mission? What is the difference between the mission of Martin and the mission of Malcolm? Consider their locations. Martin Luther King, Jr. ministered to the obvious and blatant racism within the south. Malcolm X catered to the psychologically oppressed negro of the North, a north that was not so blatant with racism. He enlightened people about the folly of depending on white America, having not been dependable in the past. He also inspired people to do more about their own situation in order to lift themselves up. He also created avenues by which Black people could become business owners, financially stable, etc. Malcolm is the Black History figure for right now. Why? We're beyond getting legislation and outright, blatant racism ( although it does sometimes occur). We're in the era of institutionalized racism that is subtle but psychologically deadly. We need someone who could bring it to light and inspire us to do better for ourselves. I say this not just to Black people but to all young people of my generation. We're getting lazy.
His Character
I love Jesus. That being said, I usually have a problem with discipline. If you cannot see the cognitive dissonance, let me break it down for you. I like Jesus and I would like to talk to Him early in the morning. Unfortunately, I also like sleep. I do not usually get a lot of time to talk to Jesus early in the morning. Malcolm X was not me. He slept probably 4-5 hours a night. And if there was something to be done, he would do with all his might. There is proverb some where about that... Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. Malcolm was so focused! I want that so bad it's not even funny.
His Message
America spends over 200 years telling black people that they were good for nothing more than manual labor. That doesn't just go away with a Civil War, Reconstruction, Amendments and Acts. That's a belief system and if you ever spoke to people who really believed in something (even though it was wrong), you know it would take a long time to convince them otherwise. The same goes for both White and Black America. Racism does not just go away in the minds of the oppressor nor in the minds of those who were oppressed. This belief system has tainted everything, even entertainment (I got a whole spiel on that!). Not only do white people view us as less than but we also view ourselves as less then or in comparison to them. Malcolm X motivated the Black people of this nation to think beyond their circumstances and see their true value. Self Esteem Boost Anyone?
Now I really want to break down this documentary. I think it is super important. So there is going to be a series, no doubt about it.
Future Posts:
Tonight: First Installment in the Malcolm X Documentary Commentary
Thursday: Update Don Lemon Post
Friday: Kwanzaa
Saturday Night: Second Installment in Malcolm X Documentary Commentary
Hints about the future: I got to mention my girl Viola Davis. Also I go to bring up Self esteem! And my hair!!!
I got to write down everything, or I forget about it. LOL
See ya'll later.
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