Malcolm X: Why the confusion?

Question

I read postings on this site and wondered why so many people act like they know a subject. Example: People talk about Malcolm X being a racist, etc, and are totally ignorant of his full life. Malcolm started out with a strong dislike of white people after he viewed his community, the world, and felt that most of the problems were created by white people. Later, after visitng Meca, and after more introspection (including being betrayed by Black Muslims) he realized that PEOPLE are PEOPLE and started to focus on uniting us all, and helping poor people in general. However, he remained a supporter of physical violence, as a way to protect oneself when attacked by another person or entity. Now my question is: Why is it that when a Black, African or South American/Native or Hispanic man condones using force to defend his family, village or nation, most of the world vilify him when he is no different than George Washington, etc???

Answer 1

Eh there's plenty of white people who catch flak too. Well, gee let me think of one, oh I don't know, George Bush? Sends troops into a terrorist state threatening our country and others, and is vilified by millions?

Confusion about Malcolm X comes from the fact that he liked violence so much. It turns a lot of people off, whether the violence is justified or not.

George Washington was so long ago that we didn't have a chance to vilify him; the pacifist movements came after his legacy was already written in stone.

Answer 2

Violence is an inescapable aspect of the human condition. Condoning violence in self-defense is not unusual, neither is condoning it when a nation or state uses violence to defend itself or enforce it's laws.

There are many other places violence can crop up, though, where the 'self-defense' argument just doesn't wash. Cycles of reprisal killings, for instance, certainly aren't on the same moral or ethical footing as the execution of a convicted murderer in accordance with the law.

In a nation that has democratic institutions for achieving political change, violence to achieve political change cannot be condoned. I have not made an extensive study of the words of Malcolm X, but of just the few quoted in the Q&A, at least one comes close to condoning such violence, so I can see how one could reach unfavorable conclusions about his positions.

Of course, if he did condone political violence, his assassination gains an added air of irony.

Answer 3

JC,
He was racist in the beginning. As a member of the black Muslim party he thought white men were the devil. He often made racist remarks towards whites. But people also need to realize the time when this was occurring. They could say Mohammad Ali was racist as well. Mohammad Ali was quoted saying that black and white people shouldn't have babies together. If that isn't racist, I don't know what is. People don't hold that against him because they look back at the time were America was full of racial discrimination, specifically towards blacks. Despite, Malcolm X's "racism" we must acknowledge his efforts. He is NO Martin Luther King Jr., but he promoted peace. He was deceived by Elijah Mohammad who made him believe that white people were bad, but after he had a self fulling discovery he realized that all races were equal. But sadly after discovering this, he was murdered. Malcolm X's story is truly remarkable. People must NOT deny his efforts. He was the voice for black people at time. Why can't we have leaders like him now?! We are stuck with Jackson and Sharpton.

Answer 4

The regressive right trying to rewrite History. Malcolm X was and is a great man and you are totally right in everything you say.
His idea's on non violence are intelligent and reasonable. He's not a pacifist like none of the current Presidential candidates with the exception of Kucinich maybe are. Also how did America ever get its Independence huh? They also did a little more than politely ask the English King to go

"Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks."
Source unknown
"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don’t believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn’t want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I’m not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn’t know how to return the treatment."
Speech, Dec. 12 1964, New York City.

"There is nothing in our book, the Koran, that teaches us to suffer peacefully. Our religion teaches us to be intelligent. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. That’s a good religion."
"Message to the Grass Roots," speech, Nov. 1963, Detroit (published in Malcolm X Speaks, ch. 1, 1965).
"If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country."
Speech, Nov. 1963, New York City.
"We are nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us."
Malcolm X

Racism is still a big problem in America and I believe that's the reason they try to smear his name. They even try to do the same to Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, not kidding. I've seen the right wing posts here trying to smear and defame them

Answer 5

I am laughing at Malcom X right now.