My Comments to Others

Jesse

I totally agree with you that Malcolm has had a complete transformation in his style of thinking. As I discussed in my blog, it must have been really hard for Malcolm to completely change his view on the subject that he preached to millions of African Americans on fervently and passionately. Even though this was a colossal change in his life, Malcolm dealt with the change in his view remarkably well. I believe that this strength came from his experience hustling in the streets (for this required adaptability) and his spiritual experience in Mecca.  

I also whole-heartedly agree with you on the subject of auto-racism. No one should be called any offensive term that degrades their self or racial pride. I personally believe that people should be proud of whoever they are and should not call themselves or others offensive names. I found the link to the site very interesting. It if amazing how such a offensive term could come about just from the ignorance of the Ancient Greeks!

Allison

I both agree and disagree with you. First of all, I was not shocked at Malcolm's acceptance of the hospitality that he was shown. I felt that Malcolm would accept the hospitality that was shown to him for a couple of reasons. First of all, he was in the Holy Land...a place where everybody could be trusted without being hustled. Second of all, as Malcolm later stated, mostly all the people in Mecca were dark skinned; the white skinned people did not act with white superiority was did the whites in America. Also, I did not think that Malcolm was trying to teach the system. Malcolm stayed for a lot of time in the place provided for him and every one waiting for a audience to the Chief Musharaff.  

Also, I disagree with you on your observation that Mecca was not the place to relax. Mecca was a holy city that many came to in order to gain enlightenment and experience bliss. In the aspect that it was not the quietest, I agree with you. But I think it would do the city of Mecca injustice to call it a place of hostility. However, you are definitely right your observation that in most places where you go, the people are mean to you after you pass the chief province where revenue is collected. I had this same experience on my trip to Virginia. I also found the website to be very interesting. Great research and ideas!

Yuma

I personally feel the religion can bring much more benefit than good when it is utilized for the correct purposes. If religion is used to give you morals and make you a better person, it is being used for the correct purpose. But when it reaches a extremist point where people use the words of great men and twist them around (as is the case with extremist Islamic groups such as the Taliban), religion turns into an evil. 

I totally agree with you in stating that violence can NEVER be justified. The blog on terrorism that you linked to is also very interesting. In this article, the author states, "Understanding others (even those who will your destruction) can make them more human". I think that Malcolm was inadvertently doing exactly this after he reflected on his pilgrimage to Mecca. Very nice blog post and article!

Benny

I totally agree to your view on racism. In the times that Malcolm lived, racism was evident every where... in restaurants, in schools, on buses, etc. Malcolm was also wise to point out that all the oppressed African American's could have possessed great minds. Imagine if all those great minds were used in the service of this country intellectually instead of laboriously... where would we be today??? It is sad, but unconscious racism is present even today. I personally feel that humankind will have to go through a few more generations before unconscious racism is completely eliminated. It is only young minds fostered with ideals of equality that can lead to a world scot-free of any type of racism.  

P.S. Its really funny that we both linked to the same article and mentioned the same episode of Lie to Me! Great minds think alike!