While both Washington and Malcolm X were great activists and intellectuals of their time, their approaches to black empowerment could not be any more different. Both pieces of literature are autobiographical pieces, yet the way Washington and Malcolm X write reveals fundamental differences in their beliefs and ideologies. In Up from Slavery, Washington presents the role of African Americans to be passive: believing they should focus on vocational and real-life skills instead of fighting against segregation. Frequently called "accommodationism", Washington's beliefs urged African Americans to "cast down your bucket" into the existing social order. Conversely, in The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X takes a more radical stance, fighting against inaction and social oppression.
The glaring similarity between both authors was their reliance on self education and literacy as a means to achieving freedom. Both authors had to overcome great obstacles to achieve their educations, but the means in which it was done are vastly different. Washington's path to literacy was one of great effort but not necessarily strenuous. He writes "[from] the time that I can remember having any thoughts about anything, I recall that I had an intense longing to learn to read... if I accomplished nothing else in life, I would in some way get enough education to enable me to read common books and newspapers." Washington was driven by a desire to learn, rather than necessity.
On the other hand, following Malcolm X's troubled childhood, his turn to literature is a result of a necessity to turn his life around. In his autobiography he writes "I saw that the best thing I could do was get hold of a dictionary--- to study, to learn some words... It was sad. I couldn't even write in a straight line. It was both ideas together that moved me to request a dictionary". From a childhood of violence and crime, he was driven by the need to change. By educating himself, he knew he could make a difference in the world. He realized his education was the barrier to expressing his views, and this led him to the repetitive but effective method of meticulously reading through the dictionary. His literacy gave him the power to attack the oppressive system. Through education, Malcolm X was able to completely turn his life around, reinventing himself as one of the most influential figures of his time.
Ultimately, these two pieces of literature reflect the different ideologies of their authors. Washington’s literacy is a bridge built to span the gap between the once enslaved people and the white economy, emphasizing patience and using the resources around oneself. Malcolm X’s literacy is used as a flashlight to illuminate the systemic wrongs of that same economy. Both men were transformed by the word, but Washington used it to find his place, while Malcolm used it fight for his people.
Hi James, I like how you portray Washington's education as a bridge over the gap between himself and the White world. You can definitely see how his education teaches him assimilation, whether through dressing a certain way or seeking a certain path in society. Malcolm X, on the other hand, discovers his own voice and identity as a social critic through learning, and you did a nice job pointing that out.
ReplyDeleteHey James, I really liked the way that you analyzed a little bit further beyond the actual books. The way that you incorporated Malcolm X's childhood gave me really good insights into their differences. The way that you used the flashlight analogy in the last paragraph for Malcolm X was very cool.
ReplyDeleteHi James, I like how you came up with the casting buckets thing. I also like the way that you explain the differences in how their education played out and I think a lot of those differences went on to shape them when they were intellectuals. I also like how you wrote the last line of the blog about Malcolm fighting for his people and I think that is a good way to differentiate the two.
ReplyDeleteHi James!
ReplyDeleteI really like your comparing of BTW to a bridge and Malcolm X to a flashlight. I think it really encapsulates the ideological differences of the two authors. I also hadn't thought about their reading journeys the way you did; how BTW read out of desire, Malcolm X out of necessity. Great job!
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you describe your concluding paragraph. Washington as a bridge, and Malcolm as a flashlight. I think that it was a really good analogy and quite clever too. Also, I never thought about the necessity of learning and the desire of learning when it comes to Washington and Malcolm, and it was actually really cool to think about. Great Job James!
Hi James, thank you for sharing your blog post. I like your comparison between the two authors. Especially how you incorporated their path to literacy and early education. I like how you also mentioned that a lot of their motivation came from themselves and didn't let adversity overcome them. Great job hehe.
ReplyDeleteHello James, I found it interesting how you contrasted the means of their education and how Malcolm X used it to better himself. Through literature, Malcolm X began to formulate his own beliefs. Washington leveraged his education to better assimilate and appeal to white society.
ReplyDeleteHey James,
ReplyDeleteI liked your use of metaphor to contrast BTW and Malcolm X's opposing positions on seeking black liberation in America. I think your description of BTW's solution being a bridge, whereas Malcolm X represents a flashlight illuminating systemic wrongs is very accurate. I might go even further to say that BTW's literature is not a bridge, but a tunnel: it spans the gap between formerly enslaved people and the white economy, but it obscures the history and exploitation that the white economy is built off of. Great post, James!
Hey James, great job linking their literacy to the title. The concept of "casting down your bucket" within the existing social order provides a crucial contrast to Malcolm X forging his own path to attack the oppressive system. It helps to highlights the two distinct paths of activism you discussed.
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