Winter Break Reading: Directions: Read each section of the text described below. Type your responses and share them submit2mckenzie@gmail.com by January 2, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. Please use textual evidence and add page numbers (#) at the end of each answer. Focal Passage 6: Saved Pages 172-194 In Saved, Malcolm continues learning more, this time motivated by his desire to read and write coherently about his newfound religion and to Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm begins by copying the dictionary, and in the process, learns about the ideas and history behind the definitions he copies. Interspersed with describing this time in his life, he begins to introduce some of his realizations and developing beliefs about race, particularly the indoctrination by whites, through religion, education, etc., to continue disenfranchising and withholding power from people of color. 1. Why did Malcolm re-write his letter to Elijah Muhammad over and over? 2. Why was praying the hardest test Malcolm ever faced? 3. Who did Malcolm write letters to and what did he include in the various letters he wrote? 4. In what ways was copying the dictionary so important to Malcolm s learning and education? 5. What do Elijah Muhammad s teachings about the history of African Americans inspire Malcolm to do? 6. What were some of the other books Malcolm read that informed him about black history? Which texts caused the greatest shock to him? Refer to pages 178-179. 7. What are white scientists starting to discover on page 184? 8. What does Malcolm believe about the American prison system and the dissemination of Muslim teachings? Refer to page 186. 9. What does Malcolm learn about his brother, Reginald? What was Malcolm s eventual response to Reginald? 10. What does Malcolm believe Reginald s life s purpose was? 11. How did the letters Malcolm wrote indicate a change in his thinking and personality? 12. Malcolm says that despite the fact that he was in prison, he had never been so truly free in [his] life. How did he accomplish feeling this way? 13. What does Elijah Muhammad teach about history? How does Malcolm feel about this teaching? Cite evidence.
14. Explain how Malcolm is able to conclude that white men are genetically derived from black men. Refer to page 178 and cite evidence in your response. 15. What cause does Malcolm want to take up after a recent trip to London? Refer to page 182. 16. How does Malcolm put his new knowledge to action? Refer to pages 185-186 and cite textual evidence. 17. What does Malcolm begin doing on page 187? How does this practice influence his commitment to challenging and changing history? 18. What do many of the texts reaffirm for Malcolm? How does this affirmation connect with a central idea in the text about racist, hegemonic ideas about white superiority? Refer to page 180 and cite textual evidence. 19. What does Malcolm conclude about the use of Christianity and narrative to oppress people of color? Cite evidence in your response. 20. How does Malcolm connect the spread of racist supremacy through education? How has history created narratives about people of color that affirms racist ideas? Focal Passage 7: Savior or Minister Malcolm X Savior Pages 195-214 In Savior, Malcolm describes his formal introduction to Elijah Muhammad. He also explains how he helped recruit new members into the Nation of Islam, working during the days at various jobs and recruiting at night. He also gives a brief history of Elijah Muhammad s childhood, introduction to W.D. Fard, and eventual rise in power as the head of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm expresses his positive response to his assistant minister position within the organization, and some of the concepts he preached about during his first opportunities to speak to his Muslim brothers and sisters. 1. Where does Malcolm X go after he leaves prison? 2. With whom does Malcolm live? What does he notice about this home? Cite evidence in your response. 3. What does Malcolm feel inspired to do on pages 199-203? 4. What happens when Malcolm goes to hear Elijah Muhammad speak at Temple #2 in Chicago? 5. Why does Malcolm object to the draft? 6. What happened to Master W.D. Fard? 7. According to Malcolm X, how are African Americans economically exploited? Refer to pages 196-197.
8. What does it mean that Malcolm found [his] tongue (p. 202)? How does this description suggest an understanding of Malcolm s point of view? 9. According to Malcolm X, how are African Americans economically exploited? Refer to pages 196-197. 10. What does it mean that Malcolm found [his] tongue (p. 202)? How does this description suggest an understanding of Malcolm s point of view? 11. How does the X impact Malcolm? What words and phrases emphasize this effect? 12. Describe the people Malcolm X tries to recruit in Detroit. How does the diction and syntax make these descriptions powerful? 13. What is Malcolm X s opinion of Elijah Muhammad? 14. What are some of the similarities that Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm share? 15. What does Malcolm s reflection at the end of the chapter reveal about the change in his perception about the NOI and Elijah Muhammad? 16. How does Malcolm show his commitment to the NOI and Elijah Muhammad? How does he challenge racist, hegemonic ideas? Cite evidence that shows his changing character. Focal Passage 7: Savior or Minister Malcolm X Minister Malcolm X Pages 215-239 In Minister Malcolm X, Malcolm X describes his ministry for the Nation of Islam, focused on opening up new temples in cities across the Northeast and in Atlanta. He also describes the messages he conveyed to new members, revealing his arguments about African Americans and their relationship with the white man. At the end of the chapter, he tells the reader about meeting and marrying his wife, Sister Betty X, and about the Nation of Islam s fight against police brutality. 1. What does Malcolm decide to do at the beginning of chapter 13? 2. What does Malcolm do once he becomes a full-time minister? 3. Who sees Malcolm preach? What is her reaction? 4. Who does Malcolm see while he is in Boston? 5. Where does Malcolm eventually go to open a temple? Refer to page 219. 6. Who does Malcolm try to see while he is in New York? What message does Malcolm want to give them? 7. Where did Malcolm find the best fishing opportunities for new NOI members? Refer to page 223. 8. What conflict do Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm experience on pages 226-227?
9. Where else does Malcolm tend to recruit new Muslims? Refer to page 228. 10. Whom does Malcolm begin to notice on pages 230-231? 11. How does Malcolm propose to Sister Betty X? 12. Who decides to join the NOI at the end of this chapter? How does Malcolm feel about it? 13. Reread pages 216-217. How has Malcolm changed his language to reflect the teaching of the NOI and Elijah Muhammad? Cite evidence in your response. 14. When Malcolm closes his NOI meetings, he says, Seek peace, and never be the aggressor but if anyone attacks you, we do not teach you to turn the other cheek (218). How does this statement reflect Malcolm s changing personality? 15. Malcolm says that Betty understands him and that I don t imagine many other women might put up with the way I am (237). How does his marriage to Betty and this statement show his continued growth and change? Cite evidence in your response. 16. Describe the event at the end of this chapter. How did the event make public officials and black people in Harlem take note of the NOI? 17. How does Malcolm use rhetoric to convince Christians to convert to the NOI? Refer to pages 224-225 and cite textual evidence in your response. 18. Reread the lines, The white man wants black men to stay immoral, unclean and ignorant. As long as we stay in these conditions we will keep on begging him and he will control us (225). What is Malcolm trying to do to perspective new members of the NOI when he says these statements? Focal Passage 8: Out Pages 294-324 In Out, Malcolm describes his departure from the Nation of Islam. His leaving was caused by a few factors, including his gaining popularity in the community and the declining health of Elijah Muhammad and growing jealousy from other members of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm is disgusted to learn about the alleged affairs that many women accused Elijah Muhammad of, and Malcolm desired to speak more about social doctrine as opposed to religion. Elijah Muhammad silences Malcolm X for 90 days following Malcolm X s misconstrued comments about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. While on leave, he works with Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), and learns about growing threats on his life. Towards the end of the chapter, Malcolm X describes his call to action and establishes the Muslim Mosque, Inc. He also decides to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. 1. What happens to Mr. Muhammad at the beginning of chapter 16? What is the response by the NOI?
2. What was a disappointment that Malcolm felt in regards to the NOI? Refer to pages 295-296. 3. What were some of the rumors that were being spread about Malcolm X? 4. What was the only fight about that Malcolm X and Betty had? 5. What does Malcolm reflect about his belief in the NOI and their commitment to him and his family? 6. What happens to the articles about Malcolm X and his work in the NOI paper, Muhammad Speaks? 7. Why did Malcolm refuse to be interviewed in the print and televised media? Refer to page 299. 8. What does Malcolm learn about on page 300? 9. Why does Malcolm speak less about the religious doctrine of the NOI and more about social doctrine? 10. Who does Malcolm go see in regards to the rumors about Elijah Muhammad? 11. What did Malcolm discover after talking to the former secretaries to Mr. Muhammad? 12. What does Mr. Muhammad tell Malcolm when they discuss the adultery? 13. Where does Malcolm and his family go following his silencing? 14. What does Malcolm do for Cassius Clay? 15. What does Malcolm contemplate doing on page 316? 16. What does Malcolm argue is the greatest tool that black people have? Refer to page 322. 17. What does Malcolm decide to do at the end of the chapter? 18. Explain the events that impacted Malcolm X following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. 19. What realizations does Malcolm have during his visit to Miami? 20. Who does Malcolm believe to be the most dangerous black man in America? (317). Explain his argument, citing textual evidence in your response. 21. What does Malcolm feel compelled to do as a result of averting the riot? What are some of the major reasons why he will respond with action? 22. Explain the major difference between Malcolm s organization and the NOI. Cite evidence in your response.