I just realized I didn't post this blog entry. It was in my documents, but I never submitted it. MY BAD!
This is my second time reading the book, and I've picked up a lot of little things this time around. Or, I should say, things that had no affect on me when I read it originally were influential this time around. The first thing being Malcolm's interest in boxing throughout the book. Before he became a hustler, Malcolm listened to the fights on the radio in the train car, and cheered for Joe Lewis. After his renaissance, he became a friend of Muhammad Ali. One of my favorite stories is Mr.X eating ice cream with Ali in his hotel room after a fight. This time, however, I found it strange that Malcolm enjoyed boxing. I suppose the idea of two men often of the same race hitting each other in the head to the point of concussion for the pleasure of white men doesn't seem to me like Malcolm's sport of choice.
Beyond that, I'm not sure how I feel whether or not Malcolm X has had an influence on America as a whole.
I remember being incredibly depressed when I first started this book in eighth grade. Around this time, Barack Obama was starting his first term as President. I wondered if this was real progress, or just a stunt to please the liberal masses. I wondered what Malcolm X would think. I know he wouldn't be pleased with the drone strikes. Would Barack Obama just be a pawn in Malcolm's eyes?
I go through this book more frustrated than ever. I feel like every racial philosophy is too much of a blanket to be logical. There are so many variables in America to have ultimatums like Malcolm X had. I feel as if a manifesto for race relations is nearly impossible, because progress here can be so slow.
I once had a teacher describe racial equality as a mountain range. There are high points and low points, and things aren't always getting better. Maybe that's what Malcolm X and Alex Haley are trying to say. All I can do is be a good, loving person. I can't control others.
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