Here's a site from which you can see the extreme stereotypes of Asians!
Friday, February 20, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I felt similar disappointment as Malcolm continued to hustle and use drugs. I started to wonder if he would ever realize that he was digging his own grave. One may think that when West Indian Archie did not kill Malcolm in the bar, Malcolm would then learn to give up hustling in order to diminish his association with dangerous criminals. Malcolm showed that he was very naive when he continued to hustle and also started burglarizing houses. I was also shocked when Malcolm said he viewed narcotics as most people view food. Up until chapter 10 I was curious as to when Malcolm would transform into the influential figure that most people view him as.
I felt very similar to you while beginning to read the autobiography. Also, just like you, I did not have very much experience with Malcolm X before starting to read the book. I did not understand how anyone could view Malcolm as a role model or hero, like I had heard he was. All I saw was that Malcolm was a drug addict, drug dealer, and a hustler on the streets. No one should look up to someone like this. Then, once he was put in jail for robbery his life changed. He started to believe in religion and you saw the hero in Malcolm that he is made out to be by many.
Post a Comment