Different Image of Malcolm X 1

As I became acquainted with Malcolm X's teenage years, the impression I had of Malcolm X began to change.  In truth, I had little knowledge of Malcolm X until I came across The Autobiography of Malcolm X.  Until I read the autobiography, all that I had know of Malcolm X was that he was a hero to the African Americans.  Due to this lack of knowledge, I had always thought Malcolm X had been an honest, studious, and caring individual throughout his life.  However, through reading, I learned that this was a misconception and that Malcolm X had his share of trouble, especially during his teenage years.  My image of Malcolm X changed as I gained knowledge of his association with numerous drugs and his involvement in hustling.  Malcolm X was not only selling drugs to other people, but he was also an extreme addict.  Symptoms of an addict include "cycles of increased energy, restlessness, and inability to sleep"(Saisan, Segal, and Cutter) and Malcolm X experienced continuous cycles.  Though at the time, hustling and selling drugs was the only way for African Americans to build up their wealth, I was slightly disappointed when I learned of his association with such immoral and corrupt practices because I understood that he was not always the savior of African American's that he later became.  Though I condemn Malcolm X's choice to associate with immoral practices, I continue to think highly of Malcolm X's accomplishments in saving the African American society, purely based on the fact that I am a minority myself.  As a minority, or "non-white", I have faced many stereotypes both good and bad.  One of the stereotypes that have continuously appeared before me is the stereotype that all Asians get straight A's in school.  Though I consider this a good stereotype, I find it ridiculous how people can think this because no one can succeed without hard-work.  If an Asian person was told to take an exam without any previous preparation, then he would most likely fail.  This stereotype has influenced me because it has acted as a sort of source of pressure for me to do well in school.  Even though there is no specific reason, I feel as if I am obliged to do well in school to sort of fulfill this stereotype.

Here's a site from which you can see the extreme stereotypes of Asians!

http://www.texaschapbookpress.com/magellanslog17/asianstereotypes.htm

Ethnic Notions Reaction

As a minority, I was able to relate in a sense, to the African Americans that faced stereotypes during the Civil War antebellum period.  Being a minority, or more specifically Asian, I face many stereotypes both good and bad.  

One of the main stereotypes that people have towards Asians is associated with intelligence.  Many people have the false impression that all Asian people are born smart.  When I do well in school, many of my friends make a connection between my ethnicity and my intelligence.  They feel that since I am Asian, knowledge comes more naturally to me.  Though I find this stereotype to be a positive stereotype, I still find it to be ridiculous.  It always amazes me how people could think that my being Asian can have anything to do with knowledge.  I personally feel that I am able to succeed in school because I work at it.  I am positive, that if I did not do any of my homework or study at all, then my grades will drop severely.

Another stereotype that I am associated with is also related to intelligence.  The stereotype is the idea that I worry about my grades twice as much as a non-Asian individual would.  Many people feel that Asians scold themselves, or are scolded by parents when they receive below an A as a grade.  In my opinion, I find this to be one of the most thoughtless stereotypes out in society today.  The majority of the parents, including my parents, could care less if I got an A or B on my test.  What they care about is that I try my hardest at everything I do.  I could care less if I got a B as well.  If I tried my best and that was all I could do, I accept it.  I find this stereotype to be inaccurate because I find many non-Asian individuals who worry more than I do when it comes to grades.  This, in my mind, is a negative stereotype because it portrays all Asian people as nerds.

Malcolm X 2

I just finished reading the first two chapters of The Autobiography of Malcolm X.  From the first two chapters, I am able to understand that Malcolm X had a hectic and chaos filled childhood.  I feel that the cruel experiences Malcolm X went through during his childhood made him the type of man he came to be.  One event that particularly leaves me awe struck is when Malcolm speaks with his English teacher regarding his future.  When Malcolm says that he is planning to become a lawyer, his teacher replies, "..A lawyer - that's no realistic goal for a nigger" (Haley 38).  This event leaves such a deep impression, because I am able to understand how bad racism has been engraved into the minds of the people.  Though Mr. Ostrowski is usually warm and cordial towards Malcolm, he is able to make such hurtful comments because he has been raised in an environment where it is considered natural.  It is remarkable how the mind of Americans have changed so much over a time period of less than a century.

Malcolm X

I have just began reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Alex Haley, and I must say that I greatly enjoy it.  I enjoy the autobiography so much because it presents accurate historical facts in the format of a story.  From the first couple of pages, I am able to understand the bitterness and fear that the black community had to deal with during the early 1900s.  From the very first paragraph, when the narrator says, "The Klansmen shouted threats and warnings at her that we had better get out of town..." (Haley 1), I can tell that the environment at that time seemed to accept racism as a natural aspect of society.  The more I understand that racism was a common aspect of civil society at that time, the more I am angered by it.  I cannot understand how humans could treat others as if they were the luggage of society, just because their skin color is different.  Malcolm X is known for being a savior to the black and muslim community.  However, I feel that he is a savior to the white race as well, for making them understand how immoral racism is.