Week 10

3/7/2016

Why nonviolence?

Within the civil rights movement there were two major camps regarding the most effective strategy to deal with overtly racist policies, people and communities. For many year Martin Luther King, Jr. sat at one pole of the nonviolence question while Malcolm X sat on the other. While one would profess the importance of humility and forgiveness of those that wrong us the other believed in self defense by any means necessary.

In addition to your regular reading for the blog post this week I would like you to read Malcolm X (Ballot or the Bullet speech) and Martin Luther King Jr. (Nonviolence and Racial Justice). Answer the following questions in your post. Be sure to respond to another student.

What were three major themes that stood out to you as you read the material? Describe the conditions in society that both MLK Jr. and Malcolm X were responding to in their speech/essay.
Explain their rationale for their chosen strategy to address racist and classist oppression in the United States.
What strategy would you employ if you were subjected to the conditions highlighted by Martin & Malcolm? What would be your rationale?

What movements today inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent political action?
How do we commonly learn about political dissent? Do you feel encouraged to speak your mind? and/or advocate for what you believe in?

Readings/Resources (Optional additional reading)
PBS Special on the Weather Underground
The Weather Underground
List of Weatherman actions
Weatherman Member List

Requirements for BLOG POSTS

You must write 250 words each post (due Thursday @ Midnight), Responses to two other students 50 words each (due Sunday @ midnight)
Students must post during the week the blog is assigned or it will not be graded.

60 Comments

Justine Calso

3/8/2016 10:33:34 pm

The 3 major themes by Malcolm X were oppression, conspiracy and war. He was responding to the exploitation that Whites caused and Blacks faced. He was also responding to the urgency of the presidential election- to face the ballot or bullet. MLK Jr.’s themes were non-violence, origin and freedom. He looked at Gandhi as inspiration and used non-violence as his way to lead the Civil Rights Movement. He also gave a brief history about Africans, slavery, and how they were brought to America against their will.
Malcolm X was more about empowerment and energy. His Ballot or Bullet Speech had emotion to it, one that made the reader feel the injustice, want to get up and actively do something about it. He spoke about exploitation, oppression and more, all done by the white man. The title of his speech itself points in the direction of powerful activism. MLK Jr. was more calm, and stressed the importance of remaining calm. Instead of physical altercations and physical doing, he mentioned resistance being key to this movement.
If I were subject to these conditions, I would try to remain calm. I think people take you less seriously if you react to a situation with violence, whereas if you use your words to get your point across, people will listen.
A few topics that lead to a conversation about non/violent political action are wars and foreign policy, police brutality, and racism.
I think if we’re really lucky, we learn about political dissent from a teacher with an open mind. Surrounding ourselves with people who have different opinions on thing is another way to learn. We could also learn about dissent from our own experience with those in power. Personally, I feel comfortable speaking my mind when authority figures aren’t around. I want to speak my mind and not be corrected, interrupted, or judged.

Adriana Serna

3/9/2016 01:13:45 pm

I agree with you, I would take MLK Jr.'s approach. And I appreciate your comment about being taken more seriously if you use your words. I tend to want to listen to those people who are calm and speak clearly then if someone was angry and causing violence. I really do tend to think that people who use physical violence might not have a clear view of how using violence will help. They tend to have so much hate and anger they just take it out without thinking of what they can actually do it make it better. If you use violence against someone who oppresses you then they use that excuse to keep on oppressing saying that they do it because you are dangerous. This is just my opinion and someone might have a different view which is completely understandable.

Melissa Nevarez

3/13/2016 11:47:52 am

I definitely agree with you on following Martin Luther King and what he has done to change racial discrimination. He spoke up about very important things that needed to change and his words influenced so many people. Sometimes spoken words can change the world. His words now changed how racism is today and how much police brutality decreased.

Mosima Sona

3/13/2016 10:23:55 pm

Looking at the two approaches you explained, I'd have to go with MLK's approach of staying calm when faced with situations with potentially bad outcomes because responding with violence either sends a bad message or it may lead to future retaliation in other forms. A lot of people feel certain ways about things and for some, it leads to them responding with violence in order to get their own way and it only prolongs the conflict.

Landon Tang

3/14/2016 11:54:22 pm

Both leaders I feel were forced in an very difficult situation with limited means to balance the scales in their favor. Both advocated extreme measures of both left and right wing actions and both achieved success within those realms. Both leaders illuminated the path for minorities, however I believe that X's methods were far more effective due to the energy he projected with his message.

Melissa Nevarez

3/9/2016 10:16:23 am

The 3 major themes that stood out to me about Malcolm X were war, religion, and conspiracy. He explained how he has his own beliefs when it comes to religion. He's still a Muslim and that his religion is still Islam. He brought up exactly how Africans were abducted from their homes and forced to come to America or their consequences was going to be death. He explained how they were in slavery and he also discussed about the presidential election and as to what happened and what changed. Martin Luther King Jr's major themes that stood out to me were non-violence, freedom, and love. The method he used that was already famous in his generation was by Mohandas K. Gandhi and he used it to free India from the domination of the British Empire. He explained how Africa and Asia are at the bottom of a quest for freedom and human dignity. They have been long victims of colonial and struggle everyday for freedom. He discusses his meaning of love as well. That they love whoever God loves even if they've done evil deeds. Also, loving them while hating what they're doing. Their love was more like forgiveness. Malcolm X's rationale strategy to address racist and classist oppression in the United States was more of speaking up and doing action. Martin Luther King Jr was more of speaking up and being calm afterwards. He didn't really do anything where he was supposed to take action. He was just always calm. If I were to put rationale strategy I personally would speak up and take action. If my point wasn't getting across and people weren't listening I for sure wouldn't just stay calm at all. I would've taken action and do something about it. A movement today that inspires a conversation about violent and non-violent political action is definitely police brutality. It also brings up racism as well because policemen are shooting and killing black people who are unarmed and haven't done something that was ever considered a crime. United States citizens wanted to put an end to it. Personally, I will speak my mind. I honestly don't care if authorities and around. If I feel like what they're doing is wrong and unfair then I'll speak up. You have to speak up as much as you can if you want your point across.

Adriana Serna

3/9/2016 01:03:49 pm

I applaud your brave stance in actually getting up and doing something about things you believe or see injustice. It sounds like you would take Malcolm's approach which is not what I would take if I had the choice but everyone see's and deals with things differently and I like the difference in views. I was always taught not to fight (physically) but it is always the question of what is the boiling point to say now is a time to fight or is there a better way then having this endless cycle of hurting and killing and being hurt and killed in return. And I'm not saying you specifically I'm just talking in general.

Noel Alejandre

3/13/2016 03:03:34 pm

I think that the reason you think he was not doing much is because he believed in doing everything calmly. he knew that if he stay calm, he would open the eyes of the other person and make them realize that they are not there to hurt no body but to do good. Make them realize their own mistakes.

Mosima Sona

3/13/2016 10:32:51 pm

I like the view and stance you take of speaking up and taking action. I also like the way you examined and explained their idea of love being loving the individual and hating the process or system they're a part of. While I don't initially believe that violence has to be used, I can definitely understand it being a way of handling things if utilized properly.

Adriana Serna

3/9/2016 12:53:36 pm

Three major themes that stood out to me as I read Malcolm X’s speech “The Ballot or the Bullet” and Martin Lurther King Jr.’s article “Nonviolence and Racial Justice” were the hypocrisy of the American political system and the racial violence of that time which led to the African American people realizing their human rights cannot be suppressed any longer, the call for the African American community to take action by voting or taking arms against the white government and community (Malcolm’s ideas) and finally using nonviolent means to gain the friendship and understanding of those against the African American community (MLK Jr.’s ideas).
Malcolm X was responding to a couple of major issues in American society. One issue is the fact that 1964 was a political year when “all of the white politicians will be back in the so-called Negro community jiving you and me for some votes” as Malcolm X put it in his speech “The Ballot or the Bullet”. He stressed this was the year that the African American community were beginning to open their eyes to “what they used to only look at” and becoming politically mature. Malcolm X expressed that in the American society their were many injustices against the African American community and that the government was just a big hypocrite because they were not even following their own laws. Malcolm X told the people of Ohio that they needed to vote to change their situation and/or if that did not work in changing for the better they needed to use the bullet, in other words to action through means of a fight.
Malcolm X’s rationale for this strategy of “Ballot or the Bullet” is that the African American has a right to defend himself against the white community if the whites use injustice means against them. He does state they will never do anything illegal and they won't do anything violent unless threatened. Malcolm explains that to change their situation and the injustices of the government they must vote and if that does not work than they have a right to use violent means to protect themselves. Malcolm X does not believe nonviolence will work against violent people so this is why he believes his strategy will work best for the African American community to fight oppression in the society.
Martin Lurther King Jr. was responding to the segregation in society at the time he wrote the article “Nonviolence and Racial Justice” in 1956. He explains that in America “the crisis in race relations dominates” all manners of American life. The African American community started looking at themselves, re-evaluating themselves and finally having a new self-respect for themselves which helps them continue to fight every aspect of oppression and segregation and bring about justice.
To do this he explains that using the strategy of nonviolent means yields better results and points out four reasons why it works out better this way. MLK Jr. explains that nonviolent resistance works, one, by not using physical aggression but using your mind and emotions instead to persuade the opponent that he is mistaken in his beliefs and actions. This is more active spiritually. Two, nonviolent resistance does not try to “defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding. Which is why boycotts work to make the opponent feel moral shame and to then correct their mistakes. Three, nonviolent resistance fights evil directly and not the people caught in it. Finally, nonviolent resistance not only avoids physical violence but also “internal violence of spirit” which means it avoids creating more hate in oneself and the world and brings about bringing “the ethics of love to the center of our lives.”
I hate any type of violence but especially physical violence and I'm usually the one to use passive aggressive tactics when I'm at odds with someone. So I believe I would use Martin Lurther King Jr.’s strategy of nonviolent resistance if I was subjected to the conditions highlighted by both MLK and Malcolm. I cannot see using physical violence on someone and believe it did any good for my situation. It would make them hate more, it will make me hate more, and those people oppressing would use that violence as an excuse against me or others to keep oppressing us for we would be labeled as deviants and dangerous. You see that in todays society when people use violent means. It just blows up in their face and makes them look like a terrible person even though they are just looking for justice.
Movements today that inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent political actions include the Black Lives Matter movement, the movement on Occupy Wall Street which happened a few years back, and the Feminist movement of today.
We commonly learn about political dissent through the education system or through the media today. In c

Matthew Mullen

3/10/2016 09:34:28 pm

I think it is important that you focus on King's thoughts on how nonviolence actually takes a lot of power and confidence for a person. This makes me think of all the African American people who believed in King's practices during these time who may have been heckled terribly by white people and actually thinking about having the courage to not hit somebody who is hitting you or ridiculing you because they were thinking about the greater good of an entire race. That is pretty powerful in my opinion for people who went through that.

Melissa Nevarez

3/13/2016 11:53:21 am

I agree Martin Luther King had a huge impact on racial discrimination today and changed non-violence completely. Some people may have disagreed with him, but mostly others were on his side. With the violence that was happening on police brutality, it has decreased. Although sometimes it's still happening today, it will be brought to an end.

brandon l

3/10/2016 10:05:19 pm

It is sad to be the person who is the one taking the physical violence and not being able to reciprocate it back, because if you do it won't affect the situation in the outcome you want. Yet the people who have done the harm after all is said and over wouldn't be as harshly labeled as you would have been if you were one to retaliate back with physical means.

Landon Tang

3/14/2016 11:51:58 pm

Nonviolence is a stance that should be taken more often. Ghandi utilized this to great effect in India against England who at the time was one of the world's super powers. By advocating his nonviolence stand he paved the way for how model protests should look like and I believe that more protests in modern society should reflect his example

Elena Saldivar

3/9/2016 01:01:45 pm

Some themes that really stood out for me was that they both said that they were not only doing it for the African Americans in there fight for civil rights but also for other ethnicities that have been oppressed as they say the chine’s and Latinos. The second is that they also wanted their fight to be non-violent tactics as their weapon of choice. The third is that they both talk about the desegregation of schools was a critical part in that fight. They mostly felt that they teachings they were both taught by these great civil rights leaders before them were the proven strategy to combat oppression in the United States. Well if I was in that situation I would choose the Dr. Kings non-violent tactic. Mostly because I really don’t want to see any one get hurt, peoples safety would be my number one priority if we protest this oppression of the united states. Well mostly the occupy wall street movement in 2008 and also the black lives matter movement in last 2 years. These most recent movements spark more conversation about the idea of violent and non-violates actions. We learn about mostly though school as we move up a grade we learn more and more about them and more serious one’s, as we get older. Not only that we also learn thorough the media as well on these movements. Well it would depend on the situation to see weather or not to speak up against injustice.

Brandon l

3/10/2016 10:05:25 pm

It is kind of sad when i do think about my past education i was taught certain things when i was young about civil rights. Then later taught more as time went on and some of those things were the bad side effects of those movements. It does make a little sense though not to teach some kid about killings at a young age and racism; but an interesting thought none the less.

Landon Tang

3/10/2016 03:51:48 pm

I believe three themes that resonated with me during Malcolm X's speech were the notion of war, the issue of religion, and the conspiracy webs he implicated. Malcolm X's adherence to the religion of Islam and his tramatic upbringing in Africa are important factors in considering his views on politics and humanity. His upbringing translated into his willingness to utilize force and the energy of a political movement to achieve his goals. His views on the conspiracy of whites in the presidential elections also revealed his progressive yet radical nature. X utilized the negative experiences his supporters and listeners had and focused them into change.
King was essentially X's opposite. King advocated non-violence and community. He utilized the same template Ghandi in India used to free the nation of India from the yolk of the British Empire, passive aggression/resistance. I believe I would utilize Malcolm X's method of changing due to the fact that his methods obtain results faster by focusing individuals into an agenda. A movement in modern society that illustrates the previously mentioned points would the Occupy Movements. It draws attention to the struggle of the middle class, the wanton exploitation by the elites, and the use of force to dissuade any further action. We the people commonly learn of political dissent through media outlets such as newspapers and television. However with the internet growing at such an explosive rate and the current unregulated access Americans have, there are far more forums and websites that promote issues important to the writer.

Matthew Mullen

3/10/2016 09:40:46 pm

I think it is interesting that you would take Malcom’s approach for a specific reason. One reason being that he actually never committed violent acts when he was an activist which I think is something that often gets forgotten. So the threat of nonviolence was enough for him to get his points across. I personally don’t know if I would promote nonviolence in that situation but on the other hand I understand Malcolm’s background and that he came from terrible white oppression, so I can’t really say unless I was him.

Yunlin Xie

3/13/2016 06:17:57 pm

I prefer non-violent method to violent ones, if non-violence can works very well. However, I think we should not totally refuse violent methods. In some situations, violence might be the best and most effective way. Malcolm X’s thinking is very understandable, if we know his experience and background. I think what we should care more is the result when we are doing things. Only if it can work out, it is a good way.

Elena Saldivar

3/11/2016 03:22:28 pm

Yes I would have to agree that both Malcolm X and Dr. King were very different in how they that even though they were both trying to solve the same issue they both had different ways of approaching the situation when it came to the civil rights act in 1960.

Chrissy Bishop

3/10/2016 07:33:02 pm

Just like everyone else most of the main themes I came across were religion, politics and race. It seemed to me that they were speaking on the behalf of everyone who couldn’t speak up or didn’t have the power to speak up and have freedom of rights given too all the people. Speaking about problems that the white man has caused and the black people have suffered from. Mr.X is a Muslim and always was, I enjoyed how he spoke about the fact that he wasn’t there to speak about religion or to make anyone convert to anything. When now a days almost everyone is trying to get you on their side of the fence. He was a merely addressing the audience. I’m not completely sure what I would do if I was in Malcom’s or MLK's shoes, most likely roll up into a ball and wait till this all ends. I like the way MLK went about things. Peacefully and calmly, even in the way he speaks it sounds southing something you want to listen too. Just about anything now a days can be seen as non-violent and violent. I would say recordings of people trying to justify wronged actions. For instance if you get into an accident and had a dash can that videoed everything but the person who hit you said it was your fault but that wasn’t the case. Sometimes the wrongduer will try to steal the footage or capture something themselves. This can get out of hand most of the time ending up in damaged property. I try to speak my mind but most of the time nobody is listening. So I end up quiet until everyone else has their turn. Most of the time the words the leak out of my mouth turns into complete nonsense.

Yunlin Xie

3/13/2016 07:09:39 pm

I often do the same as you do. I am always quiet and listening to what others's saying. Because I am not familiar with American culture and politics, I often feel I cannot join in a group. I am really careful and afraid to talk about politics, especially politics and political problems in my country. Because I never think my government is a good government, the government destroyed my country/motherland. I do not want to talk about this in front of my Chinese friends, they will think "you do not love China". I love my country, but it does not mean I need to love the government, OKAY? And I also hesitate to talk this with my foreign friends. Until now, I can still clearly remember what a person said to me with scorn, "So you want to stay in America, right. It seems like most of the Chinese people I met want to stay". Sometimes, I will tell myself: less speaking, less mistakes.

Andrew Luft

3/10/2016 08:47:16 pm

Three major themes employed by Malcom X were religion, exploitation, and oppression. On the other hand, Martin Luther King, Jr. took the route of peace, freedom, and love. Both men were speaking to the tune of racism, oppression, and the gross injustices done to African Americans both at the time of the speeches and throughout American history. Malcom X took more of a call to action on the grounds that enough is enough and the people need to band together and put their foot down through any means necessary; while King, Jr. was following the example put forth by Ghandi via peaceful protest. Malcom X was critical of religious values and methods and believed that all of that was basically irrelevant and that the people would need to put aside their differences and use their collective power. Martin Luther King, Jr. was more about accepting the past and moving forward from it, in other words taking the higher path. I would like to say that I would take Martin Luther King, Jr.’s approach because in my opinion it is the wiser of the two paths, however remaining calm is very difficult to do when external pressures are applied, especially ones that are radically unjust. The issue of police brutality against minorities, specifically African Americans definitely inspires talk in regards to violent political action. Another example would be the Occupy Movement that happened rather recently. I think the best way to learn about political dissent is to open your mind through the challenging of beliefs and ideas. By that I mean to challenge not only ideas that we ourselves already hold, but also the beliefs and ideas of others. I find it especially beneficial to listen to the opinions and beliefs of people that are on the opposite end of the spectrum as myself, and then to challenge their ideas and beliefs rather than they themselves; in other words, to examine the message, rather than kill the messenger, and with them their message. I usually keep my ideas to myself unless I feel that what I say could have a beneficial impact.

Elena Saldivar

3/11/2016 03:30:28 pm

It is true, that it is very hard trying to hold your ground on a peaceful protest when there are so many things that are stack against you with all this hatful stuff. There is going to be a struggle holding it back but it can have a good result.

Lawrence Erispe

3/10/2016 08:50:05 pm

The 3 major themes that I saw with Malcolm X were religion, war, and oppression. He talked about how he has his own religious beliefs like everyone else, bringing up notable leaders in the civil rights movement and their religious beliefs. He talks about how he is a Muslim and will always be Muslim. Malcom X also talked about how Africans were brought to the U.S and that they were forced into slavery. He goes as far to say that African-Americans are Africans. ‘Right now, in this country, if you and I, 22 million African-Americans -- that's what we are -- Africans who are in America. You're nothing but Africans. Nothing but Africans. In fact, you'd get farther calling yourself African instead of Negro.” Malcom X’s methods of tackling oppression were opposite of King’s. He opted for separation of Blacks and Whites in America. He resented white people while King “loved” the oppressors. The three major themes that I saw with Martin Luther King Jr were love, non-violence, and freedom. His method of fighting the racist system at the time was similar to what the bible preaches. I do not know much about the bible, but from what I see and hear from my mom is peace and love. From what I heard Jesus said “if you slap me, I will turn the other cheek”, something to that affect. His method is similar to the method of Mahatma Ghandi, a civil rights leader in India during British rule. Ghandi’s method was also peaceful and consisted of non-violent ways of getting his point across. The strategy I would employ if I were subjected to the conditions these civil rights leaders faced would be similar to Martin Luther King Jr’s because it is seen most effective in the U.S, India, and South Africa. Similar to King, Mandela took this approach of instead of putting white people down like they had put black people down, he rose above that and taught that “to show that we are better, we will not stoop down to their level.” That is not exactly what he said, but it is the gist of what he was saying. I think movements today that inspire conversation about violent and non-violent action is Black lives matter movement. I feel that it needs a non-violent action to further get the point across. I believe that you should do on to others what you want done to you, so being non-violent to empower the movement and move it forward.

Payton Palazzolo

3/10/2016 09:10:06 pm

The three major themes that I took away from MLK were oppression (for minorities), war, and religion. Although Martin Luther King Jr. was primarily a Christian man, he also took to heart the teachings of Gandhi in his idea of non-violent and peaceful protest. Malcolm X was a bit more cut-throat in his ideas for protest, and desired a stronger call to action from African Americans to fight for their freedom, even if that meant getting physical. Another big difference between the two of them is their stance on their ethnic background. Martin was fighting more for assimilation, while Malcolm X fought for his African pride and heritage, and sought after separation of Whites and African Americans. Personally, I preferred the message of Martin Luther King. I think that in most cases, peaceful protest has a hire chance of prevailing and getting one's point across. When it comes to current events relating to this topic, I think that the whole "Black Lives Matter" movement is in some ways very similar. Some groups that fight for this cause holds peaceful protest in major cities while other members of the same movement promote violent forms of protest seen in instances like the "Baltimore Riots." I think that political dissent is either something you grow up with and learn over time, or is taught to you eventually in a class room if you take the right course. Personally, the older I get the less afraid I am to speak my mind and let people know what I stand for and what my beliefs are on certain subjects.

Justine Calso

3/13/2016 08:30:26 pm

I really liked the last few sentences of your blog post. Thinking about it now, I guess riots are just a more radical way to protest. The peaceful protests with the riots was a nice contrast on today's type of protesting. It's annoying how when we're young, we cant speak our mind much because people may not take us seriously.

Andrew Luft

3/13/2016 10:13:48 pm

I agree that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s methods are overall more successful in the society that we live in, but I don’t necessarily agree with his “promotion” of assimilation. While assimilation has many beneficial aspects to it, there are also benefits to multiculturalism. For example, immigrants who keep certain cultural values tend to do better with stress and discrimination than U.S. born citizens and consequently have better mental health and actually live longer. I’m not saying assimilation is a bad thing, but sometimes it isn’t necessarily the most beneficial thing.

Matthew Mullen

3/10/2016 09:26:17 pm

The first theme is from King’s document, stating Black people were meant to be “separate but equal” after slavery was abolished, but there was no real intention for equality, white people favoring separation from them and Black people. The second theme King mentions is a revolution of the heart was important for Black people, realizing that true worth was on the inside: morality, values, principles, soul. One theme that Malcom X developed was the theme of people doing nothing at all to further the Civil rights of Black people being the worst thing, passionately stating “ballot or the bullet”. Malcolm believes that the only way to change things for Black people are through violence and that complacency is even worse that committing acts of violence. King believes that love is the understanding of goodwill which means that by believing in Christian faith, non-violent strategies are what seem most humane to King. He strongly believes that nonviolence is the way to equality. If I were Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X, I might put less importance on the ways to obtaining civil rights and try to collaborate with one another. It is interesting to me that Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. did not even meet until late in their lives. They were polar opposites at the beginning of their time as activist and I think it is a shame that they didn’t unite earlier than they did. Again, I would try to collaborate with leaders who are trying to achieve the same things that I’m trying to achieve. I believe that nonviolent versus violent action could be related to what is happening at trump rallies. Black people are getting insulted, beat up, and casted aside at these rallies just because they are Black and this raises the question of should they fight back or not. I feel encouraged to speak my mind when the environment seems comfortable to have me do so. I believe that living in a Trump controlled America would not allow anybody to speak their mind who opposed him.

Eskarletl Ruiz

3/10/2016 11:07:41 pm

Yes, if Trump was president people would be too scared to rebel. He'd be the most powerful person in the country.Those who did oppose to what he'd say would end up like the people in the film End Of America. They would be shunned from society, or brought in for random questioning. Something bad for sure would happen. People wouldn't be as open minded as they are now, because everyone would be too afraid to be punished.

Andrew Luft

3/13/2016 10:19:56 pm

It is interesting to think about how the Civil Rights movement might have happened had Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr. collaborated together. I’m not sure how effective it would be though, since like you said they approached the subject from complete opposite standpoints. I think that there is no right way to advocate equality and change, for each scenario and situation demands for something different. Generally I would side with Martin Luther King, Jr. in his methods of peaceful protest, but some things are worth fighting for and do demand violence to really symbolize earnestness.

Antonio Villa

3/15/2016 12:21:24 pm

It is true that in the theme of equality, Martin Luther King had a harmonic vision of unity and equality; but the idea of being separate was the ultimate goal of Malcolm X. He had no desire to be an equal with a white man, and he strongly believe that white men were not the measuring unit for all humans to be equal to. Malcolm X understood that the only reason inequality existed was because the white foundation of the United States spent it's entire time making them non-citizens and dehumanizing the black population. Wanting to be separate from such ideas and such a hateful government is an amazing solution on one part, but he called it right in the way that they wanted to push blacks away to the extent where they didn't have any inclusion or rights, yet close enough to benefit off of and have control over.

Brandon Lingerfelt

3/10/2016 09:57:36 pm

Three major themes I found were war, religion, and oppression. Starting with Martin Luther King Jr. his beliefs supported a more non-violent sector. The example that he crossed over is Gandhi as a way to progress civil rights. The actions that MLK took really do reflect Gandhi's theology of being peaceful and how this type of resistance in itself is an important step. Where as Malcolm X's case it was discussed and shown in a bit stronger sense of speaking. Especially in cases, that dealt with racism and oppression within the United States. I myself would likely employ a rationale similar to Malcolm X's. I'm not too familiar with current events sadly but if I had to input about movements today it would probably be of feminism. I could have a vivid imagination that some feminist might be violent and some are non-violent about the undermining of their gender. Me personally I usually get politics thrown at me when I use the internet more than any other place. I don't feel encouraged to speak my mind since I am a bit passive in most cases in politics.

Eskarletl Ruiz

3/10/2016 11:04:16 pm

I am the same when it comes to speaking my mind. I don't usually do it often. Sometimes I believe that it wouldn't matter if I speak my mind because it's not getting any real action done.Isn't that what counts more? It is important to speak up, but I feel like other people with stronger opinions should do it. I am just one person.

Caitlin Hoover

3/10/2016 10:20:03 pm

The three biggest themes I noticed from Malcom X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” and Martin Luther King Jr’ “Nonviolence and Racial Justice” were conspiracy, the racial violence of that time, and the debate of violence or non-violence in response to the first two things. Some of the things society had to deal with at the time included hypocrisy of the American political system and the racial violence on a regular basis. This led to the African American community to realize they could no longer wait for change to occur on it’s own, but they had to take the matter into their own hands. There were two different schools of thought on how to do so. Malcom X responds to the exploitation of Blacks on a regular basis, calling for people to get up and actively fight the system of oppression, either through voting at the ballot or with a gun if the ballot doesn’t protect them. His rational is that the American Blacks need to be able to defend themselves in whatever manner was necessary in order to protect themselves. Martin Luther King Jr responded to these injustices by stating non-violent protesting was the way to go. To react with violence would prove the opponents right, while responding with non-violence to the cruel and vicious attacks of their opposers would draw support from the rest of the community. This new support would help expedite the process to finally get the true rights they all deserved.
If I were in this situation, I’d like to think I’d remember this memorable quote from the movie The Great Debaters, which has stuck with me even years after seeing the movie, and thoroughly expresses my current opinion. “In Texas they lynch Negroes. My teammates and I saw a man strung up by his neck and set on fire. We drove through a lynch mob, pressed our faces against the floorboard. I looked at my teammates. I saw the fear in their eyes and, worse, the shame. What was this Negro's crime that he should be hung without trial in a dark forest filled with fog. Was he a thief? Was he a killer? Or just a Negro? Was he a sharecropper? A preacher? Were his children waiting up for him? And who are we to just lie there and do nothing. No matter what he did, the mob was the criminal. But the law did nothing. Just left us wondering, ‘Why?’ My opponent says nothing that erodes the rule of law can be moral. But there is no rule of law in the Jim Crow south. Not when Negroes are denied housing. Turned away from schools, hospitals. And not when we are lynched. St Augustine said, ‘An unjust law is no law at all.’ Which means I have a right, even a duty to resist. With violence or civil disobedience. You should pray I choose the latter.”
An example of a movement in the modern day that inspires conversation about violent and nonviolent political action is the Occupy movement. To be honest, the only time I hear about new movements is when I watch news in the morning while getting ready; I don’t actively seek the information.

Justine Calso

3/13/2016 08:35:35 pm

I loved how you quoted the Great Debaters! Even though it's 2016, our laws still protect and favor the white man over anyone else. I often wonder how MLK Jr. would feel if he were alive today. Would he keep on pushing for equal rights or would he be happy knowing Obama was in the White House? I would like to think he'd be both.

Keyan Mehrabi link

3/10/2016 10:43:30 pm

The way Martin luther King presents himself and shows how relaxed he is, is what really made people stop and listen to him. If he didnt have total self control nobody would take him seriously. The way he was relaxed is what really made people stop and say, "This guy is serious." His main theme is freedom, because thats what he wanted all along. And you could tell he was unselfish. He didnt care about himself being free, he wanted the people to be free. He wanted everyone to be brothers and sisters, like how God made us. Malcom X's themes were religion, war, oppression, as others stated. He's Muslim and very passionate about it. Shows his faith in his religion. He didn't want to transform anyone, but instead share with us his thoughts which i found admirable.

josue monroy

3/10/2016 10:55:48 pm

The three major themes that stood out for me are religion, politics and race.
Malcolm x responds to a corrupt society. A society in which not only blacks but also other minorities are being denied their constitutional rights. A society in which minorities are being obligated to fight for the rights that according to the united states constitutions they are already entitled to.
A corrupt political system that only promises but never delivers. A corrupt political system that only reaches out to the black community and other minority groups when it feels the need of votes or support.
MLK discusses his nonviolent approach to the fight. He discusses religion and the importance of a nonviolent movement and how a nonviolent approach has succeeded in other countries.
I believe I would employ Malcolm X strategy. I don’t condone violence. I don’t think violence is the answer to anything. But I do believe in self-defense, and protecting your self, just like Malcolm x said it “if violence is afflicted up on us, we are within our rights to retaliate in self defense”.
A movement today that inspires conversation about violent and nonviolent political action is the “black lives matter” movement. A movement created in response to all the killings of African Americans that have occurred in the hands of police officers.
We commonly learn about political decent through media and school. Its very important to be open minded and get involved in politics and advocate for what you believe, because at the end of the day we are the ones who can make a difference.

Chrissy Bishop

3/13/2016 05:48:23 pm

I liked very much how you stated things lile how the government will make promises but will never deliver on those said promises. I agreed very very much on this concept. Even people themselves will say things and not even mean them. Violence is never the answer. Expecally in cases like theses.

Eskarletl Ruiz

3/10/2016 11:00:11 pm

The three major topics discussed by Malcolm X are war, conspiracy and religion. Martin Luther King Jr. had the three major topics of love, peace and justice. For religion Malcolm X is a Muslim. He brought up the tragic fact that African Americans were taken from their homes and forced to go to the United States. If they refused, they would die. This brought up the fact that they were in slavery. However both claimed that they are not only trying to get civil rights for themselves, but for every other minority race. It could happen to anyone so they don't want it to just stop happing to their people, but to stop it from happening all over the world. Both of them went with the non-violent approach. The only weapon they used was the weapon of words. Segregation was a big topic they discussed to. It was pointless for the schools to send the kids of color to a different school that is farther away. If I was in that situation I would choose the non violent approach. Not only because I don't like any form of violence, but because I don't think the solution to violence is more violence. It's like the saying fight fire with fire. All that really does is cause more fire and at the end of the day no one is really happy. If you can extinguish the fire with water, then why not just do that? In this metaphor, the water is the words. A topic that has sparked this conversation is the police brutality. They are using violence, when violence is not needed, so that sparks up the opinions of people on both sides of the argument. Those who agree and those who don't. I mostly learn about these events from social media and school. It's not really a topic people discuss over dinner. I actually do not know if I would speak up or not. That's just a personal thing though. I always want to speak up, but I always have an internal battle with myself if I should speak up or not. I do believe more people should speak up, but I'm not sure I'd be able to. It depends on how personally attached I feel.

Charbel Mawad

3/12/2016 01:18:32 pm

It is a good thing that you stated that both of them went with a non-violent approach, and let their strong and powerful words of wisdom lead the way. I also mentioned police brutality as a modern day topic of violence where there is no political action. The police officers involved in unjust shootings and killings of innocent African Americans are always acquitted. It just shows how even in 2016, there is still racism and discrimination out there.

Noel Alejandre

3/13/2016 03:14:37 pm

I think that the best way to solve problems is doing it peacefully. Martin Luther king Jr. did the right thing by not promoting any violence. If you want your voice to be heard, you got to do it peacefully so people can hear you. When you use violence, it turns people off and they wont pay attention to what you have to say.

Nadia Villanueva

3/10/2016 11:44:04 pm

The three themes that Malcolm X talks about in his speech “The Ballot or the Bullet”, and Luther King Jr in the article “Nonviolence and Racial Justice”, where the oppression because of the race, the religion, and notion of war. What mostly Malcolm tries to explain and defend is that they use the violence only if its to defend themselves. Malcolm believes in Islam which refers to the religion, but also he is African-American which involves the race issue. With that background, X claims that white candidates have a conspiracy against black people, and he uses the negative experiences from the past to persuade black people and convince them that America will never change and they will never have the same human rights as the rest. Along with the response to the issues of race, Luther King makes the point that the main problem in America was racism, and I believe it still. Unlike X, Luther King proposes the strategy of non-violence to make the rest of the country look at African Americans like the human beings. These actions made an enormous change in society during those years. People were tired of being oppressed but also they were tired of using violence as their only resource. Luther King explains that non-violent actions and resistance work better than using aggressions either physical or psychological because in that way, the enemy becomes your friend and it can be a support, and then they can see their mistakes and fix them.
Basically Luther King gives a strategy for the points that Malcolm X gave who believed that people would need to use collective power regardless violence. Not necessarily both talked about the exactly same themes, but both centered their attention in the issue of racism and how people should put and end to this issue. It is also important that both of them make the point that all the acts that they will take are not only for African American but for the rest of the ethnicities that are not white people.
These days we see many new movements that are focused on supporting these issues. Honestly I think that they are helping, and well I believe that the change starts on us, and once we see injustices or things that we know are wrong, we just need to defend our ideals but you know.. like in a peaceful way.

Janet Cisneros

3/14/2016 11:43:31 pm

I also think non-violence is the best way to go but its the hardest when there are literally millions of people who do not give you a chance, but still non-violence is the way to go nonetheless. I like the fact that he believes that by using your mind and emotions will change the mind of the opponent, and instead of fighting them we should be friends and understand each other. we are all humans, we all live we all die, we all suffer, we all are made of skin and bones. no one should be less than anyone else because of the color of skin. its so stupid, i still don't understand why so much hate in this world. The land was made for everyone to share it and I stand by piece like MLK.

Antonio Villa

3/10/2016 11:50:58 pm

The biggest theme held in these speeches "The Ballot or the Bullet" and "Nonviolence and Radical Justice" is to use-or-not to use violence. It then goes on to other responses to already present problems like segregation, separation and integration. Martin Luther King Jr. being more enthused with the idea of being at peace living among each other sharing voices/opinions without race being a barrier, meanwhile Malcolm X has no faith in the white "friend(s)" who behave friendly but are just as manipulative and no different that a Fox and a Wolf in their efforts to get what they want and in doing that by exploiting the Africans both by their blood, labor and ballot. A third theme that stood out significantly was the interpretation on justice and equality. I noted the historical examples the Martin Luther King provided where struggles brought successful change through non-violence. Both he and Mohandas Gandhi were assassinated sacrificing there lives striving for progress, but the communities still suffer to this day and government officials still repress the ability for the communities of color to vote. These are rights already granted to the people and part of me feels that the reason he is praised by Uncle Sam, granting Dr. King a national holiday, more than Malcolm X is is because he was less of a threat to their power, their politics. Malcolm X was not interested in politics, he wanted separation to be out of the oppression of the government and their false promises and continuous exploitation. My head can't stop racing; I have only began to fear the government more and more because being an a radical for nonviolence or self defense to any extent, there must be a strong element that brings great sacrifice and discomfort in order to bring change. I feel for both methods because there are lives lost on both ends of the process, but I do feel that there is great reason to not turn the other cheek, and that if you are going to fight and die, then it is very meaningful to know who you are fighting and what it is that you are fighting for.

I have seen many forms of dissent and movements for change through social media. Some in the forms of extreme anti-abortion folks like "Live Action" to the West Borrow Baptist Church and it's public verbal attacks on LGBT and other groups. Productive movements like the Dreamers who push for the Dream Act are a positive light, but from state to state, the hate is there. The hate is in our government and it has so much power.

Like I mentioned previously, learning about how bloody change is, I kinda just wanna hide in a corner and keep my mouth shut. I don't want to be a kiss ass to any oppressors, but I do not thing I can afford to ever swing and I have no desire to shoot a bullet. I do not want to end up on any lists. I want to leave in peace. These taxes and the cost of education and health care do make things very difficult, but I don't want to think of how much more difficult it would be if I were to advocate for change in the hateful closed minds that exist throughout the nation. Self defense is the only thing that makes sense to me.

Chelsea Payaqui

3/10/2016 11:56:59 pm

Three major themes in the texts were religion, oppression, and war. In both texts the conditions of the society involve a separation and exclusion between races. MLK believes in practicing nonviolence for the end of inequality. People often see nonviolence as just not doing anything, but to him it's showing true care for the issue without the whole "show" of it. He is letting his words speak for themselves rather than committing crimes/ giving in to violence. By choosing the nonviolence route it just shows that there doesn't need to be a huge dispute and battle just to settle the differences. Malcolm X is very straight forward with his actions. He believes that the minorities are suffering losses that should be naturally available to us. I like how he points out that equality isn't being equal to white men, as they should not be the ones to set the standard of equality, but to be equal is to be independent. Malcolm X uses self defense to gain the right to make his own choices for himself and for others to have the same opportunity. Although MLK's points seem more reasonable, I think in those times Malcolm X's methods were more efficient. I think today the whole "Black Lives Matter" movement is a good topic as to how we should act in order to gain more momentum in the issue. I also hadn't been as familiar with this until I read about it on social media. I feel that through social media we are able to gain more perspectives and it's easier to join in on the conversation. Like right now, all the posts I see on social media is about the election and people's opinions about the candidates and it takes literal seconds to make your own comments on the issue.

keyan Mehrabi link

3/14/2016 07:04:57 pm

Its interesting how white men think they are setting the standard and others look at them and want to have their rights. I also agree how nobody should compare themselves to others, and that being equal should mean independent.

Maria Garcia

3/10/2016 11:58:29 pm

The three main themes that stood out to me that Malcolm X talked about were also opression, religion, and war. Malcolm X took on a more stronger stance in the way he would speak out and hold protests. While Martin Luther King Jr took on a more peaceful voice. He followed the peaceful ideas of Gandhi when it came to holding protests and speaking. I think I would probably follow Martin Luther King Jr's strategy. Holding a peaceful protect can earn you the respect you need to make a change. I feel like a peaceful way of speaking and acting would also reach more people and make more people want to listen. I believe the current elections are a perfect example of inspiration of discussing violent and nonviolent movement. Especially all the Trump rallies. Trump likes to invoke fear into his followers which turns into violence. There are always a few incidents of violent at his rallies because his followers assume it's okay to hurt someone of color because it's what Trump says it's okay. Trump invokes the violence because he knows it's what gets people's attention. I hear about these political movements through social media and at school. There are times when I feel like I should speak my mind regarding these thing but I know it would just start an unnecessary argument. Especially when it's on social media. Which is something I actually recently had happen. People are fast to argue when you're not actually face to face.

Charbel Mawad

3/12/2016 01:08:28 pm

I also included religion and war as some of the themes that Malcolm X talked about. His strategy to address racist and oppression in the United States was speaking up and doing action, as opposed to Martin Luther King Jr. which was more of speaking up and being calm after. If I were to put rationale strategy, I definitely would speak up and take action. I respect the fact that you feel like sometimes, you just have to keep your thoughts to yourself. There are definitely times where I would do the same, but it all depends on the situation we are put into.

Rohit Mathew

3/11/2016 12:01:12 am

The 3 major themes that really caught my eye in the Malcom X speech were religion, war, and oppression. Malcolm X's adherence to the religion of Islam and his traumatic childhood in Africa are imperative components in considering his perspectives on governmental issues and mankind. His childhood made an interpretation of into his ability to use power and the vitality of a political development to accomplish his objectives. His perspectives on the scheme of whites in the presidential decisions likewise uncovered his dynamic yet radical nature. X used the negative encounters his supporters and audience members had and centered them into change. He spoke about slavery being implemented on the African people, also how much he admired M.Ghandhi for his non violent preachings, and how he was able to break India free from the vice of the british empire. "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind". Which is why it is impleaded that we seek non violence in our actions as well. His Ballot or Bullet Speech had feeling to it, one that made the peruser feel the treachery, need to get up and effectively make a move. He talked about misuse, oppression and that's only the tip of the iceberg, all done by the white man.We learn about political dissent mostly through word of mouth, tv shows, college/education centers, newspapers, we learn more and more about them and more serious one’s, as we get older. Not only that we also learn through the media as well on these movements. In this world, being cunning is what helps people to survive, thrive rather... which is why, speaking up about something that wouldn't hold popular in the eyes of influential people may not be completely right.

Yunlin Xie

3/11/2016 12:27:52 am

Three major themes that stood out to me in Malcolm X's speech are religion, oppression, and race. Both MLK Jr. and Malcolm X talks about the issue of racism. They all think people with color need freedom. Our society need harmony, love, and inclusiveness.

The rationales that Malcolm X used are taking example and emotion appealing. He talks about some big issues happened in America and the bad situation black people are in. He tries to show black people some facts: they are poor, their life condition is bad, they do not have civil rights. All of these can trigger a common anger among the black people. So they could become inspired and fight for a common goal. The rationale MLK used is creating a good future image for people. He described a wonderful world without racism, violence, and oppression.

Personally, I think both of their rationales are good. We can definitely combine both of them to get a better final effect or result. First, appealing for fighting together, then creating a good future after success, finally appealing for common goal again.

A movement today inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent, that I can think about, is the Occupy Wall Street movement that protests against social and economic inequality around the world.

We commonly learn about political dissent from social media. Because political topics can usually lead to very radical argument, personally, I am not very active to speak my mind.

Chrissy Bishop

3/13/2016 05:51:00 pm

Are you saying that all black people are angry? That they all rose up because they were angry? I suppose that could be he case or they were just sick and tired of the way they were being treated. Finally someone was able to come up and stand with everyone to get what is theirs.

Antonio Villa

3/15/2016 12:04:18 pm

Being moderate is key to make accomplishing things in the most stable manor possible. The thing with being moderate is that it is rarely noticed. The reason there comparisons to be made between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X is because they both had extreme ideas, although the differed greatly, they ideas were anything but moderate, so although it would be ideal and comfortable to take moderate action; it is the extreme ideas that get attention and bring about actual change.

Noel Alejandre

3/11/2016 12:42:03 am

Three of the major themes that i understood were, white oppression on black people, better education for black people, and using nonviolence in respond to any violence. The conditions in society that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were talking about were of white people having full control of the country's economy and politics. They said that the laws were made by the white men and for the white men. Benefiting the white people and not the people of color. Their rationale strategy to address racism and oppression is not to use any violence. They oppose any kind of violence because they believe that they can achieve their goals simply by being faithful to their believes. A good example of someone being successful of achieving their goals by not using any kind of violence was Ghandi. He helped liberate India from the British by not resisting to any violence done to them. This is where Martin Luther king Jr. got his idea from. I think i would use the same strategy as them because when someone resist, it just makes the situation more bad then what it is. I believe Ghandi said " An eye for an eye, will leave all of us blind", meaning that when someone tries to screw someone over, and the other person does the same thing back, at the end of the day they both loose. My rationale will be to be peaceful and highlight the mistakes that the white people are making. This will open up their eyes and see what they are doing wrong. The movement in Ferguson, is what can inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent political action. There is people being peaceful protesting and others using violence to try to get a point across. There is also cops using over excessive force on them and this can be a balance to inspire a conversation to see the effects of violence in communities in the U.S. I think we can learn about political dissent by studying and learning from the mistakes we have already done. Also always looking forward, to make the communities of color more independent. I do feel encouraged to speak my mind and for what ever i believe in. We are living in a new changing country and we all have to speak our minds for whatever we believe in.

Keyan Mehrabi link

3/14/2016 07:06:51 pm

For america to change its ways and make people equal again, i think that something drastic has to occur. As you can see, fighting for what should be yours and freedom, doesn't seem to be working.

Charbel Mawad

3/11/2016 03:06:54 am

Malcolm X’s major themes that he discussed were war, religion, and race. However, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about peace, equality, and freedom. What they both had in common was that they were African American men who spoke out about the discrimination and injustice that were being done to African Americans during that time. Malcolm X explained how they were in slavery and he also discussed about the presidential election and as to what happened and what changed. MLK was influenced by Gandhi and he discussed his meaning of love as well. He gives the example how Africa and Asia love whoever God loves even if they've done bad things. Malcolm X's strategy to address racist and classist oppression in the United States was speaking up and doing action as opposed to Martin Luther King Jr which was more of speaking up and being calm after. If I were to put rationale strategy, I definitely would speak up and take action. Movements today that inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent political actions include police brutality and the Black Lives Matter Movement. It also brings up racism as well because cops are killing blacks who are unarmed and haven't done something that was ever considered a crime. We need to put an end to this, and what people are doing by protesting is putting the word out but doesn’t seem to be stopping cops. Finally, in order to get your point across, you must not be afraid to tell it how it is and say what is on your mind. Being fearless goes a long way.

Nimsy V

3/13/2016 10:56:05 pm

Hey Charbel,I think you did a great job on you post. I agree with you that people need to speak up for what they stand for and what they believe in, and to do in a peaceful matter like how Martin Luther King did. I think that he is a great example for follow by.

Janet Cisneros

3/14/2016 11:36:37 pm

I also agree that we should always stand up for what we believe in and for our rights. if no one dares to make a change then we will continue being stepped over and ignored. We all have to work together to completely eliminate racism. I feel like racism continues to be a topic because of the terrible past but i dislike that this topic still comes up and passed down to younger generations who have no idea what America has done to people. if they know nothing than this won't be in anyone mind, which will fade away racism. no one is born races but america has it in the history books and older people continue to pass it down either by words or action. its terrible,

Janet Cisneros

3/14/2016 11:28:31 pm

The three major themes by Malcolm X were oppression, religion and conspiracy. He first starts off by explaining that not everyone born and raised in America makes them Americans if there are not any laws protecting them from bad. People of color, not only Africans and Latinos but also Asians, are being oppressed in this country, not being accepted, and in fact people of color rights are being completely ignored and dismissed as if people of color are not humans as the whites to deserve any rights. He believes that that is the year for everyone to open their eyes, and take a stand by demanding a ballot or they, the white man, will receive the bullet. Meaning they will fight until they can have a right to vote because voting will definitely make a change. But of course, the white men do not follow their own laws and it is time for everyone to fight against the hypocrisy of the white man. He says that the minority group would not have a reason to fight if their rights weren’t taken from them. I believe no man can GIVE another man rights only take away their rights. Every human being should be born with rights and there is not reason for anyone to take anybody’s freedom away as if they own the world. In fact I strongly believe that no man should own no land because this world was made for everyone. Anybody should be able to live where ever and be who ever with out anyone having so much hate simply because this person doesn’t look white. Malcolm X stresses the importance of equality, regardless of the person’s religion everyone should be able to speak up his or her mind and be heard. Malcolm X Ballot or Bullet speech was all about empowerment with lots of emotion involved as well.

Martin Luther King Jr., on the other hand, was all about Non-violence, origin and freedom. He used non-violence as his way to lead the civil rights movement. He was responding to the segregation in 1956. He believes that non-violence gives better results when trying to change the opponent’s mind. By not using physical aggregation but by using your mind and emotions it can convince the opponent “that he is mistaken in his feelings and actions.” Martin Luther King Jr. method reminds me of the saying “kill them with kindness.” The way I see it, its better to stay calm, smile and handle things mature which shows your character and says a lot about who you are rather than showing a bad character by fighting in convincing someone else that you’re indeed a good person…. but your bad actions are not showing them. With his method, friendship and understanding is the outcome he hopes to achieve. King believes that non-violence itself fights the evil directly.

Morgan Brum

3/18/2016 12:00:07 am

The interesting thing that Malcolm was saying is that there isn’t racial equality in the United States yet. Even though we have claimed to make some advancement in our political laws, they at the time were dealing with segregation still and how they weren’t considered normal American citizens. Malcolm stated, “The white man seems to be talking out of two sides of his mouth as he wants to be able to tell black people that they are citizens but legally make it not so.” This information seems to be a little out dated since we do not have segregation any more. I feel that there was another very interesting video that I would like to share that directly pertains to this topic and is a little more relevant since its recent. There was an interview with Morgan Freeman where he was asked what the problem of racism is and how we stop it. He responded that everyone is making it such a big deal (which it is) however people are talking about it too much. He believes that right now people are too occupied with the idea that we need to be colorblind. He states that it is the sole reason why racism is still around today because of this. We need to be color recognizable however instead of diminishing what is different, accept the differences as a good thing and realize the importance of cultural backgrounds.

Week 10

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Week 10

Why nonviolence?

Leave a Reply.

Poli 1 - DeAnza

THE BEAUTYOF BLACKCREATION

ABOUT USJOURNALS​​SUBMISSIONS

THE BEAUTY

OF BLACK

CREATION

ABOUT US

JOURNALS

SUBMISSIONS