but anyways, I think I'll comment on the last part of chapter 10. (If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you stop reading this post here).
The last part of chapter 10 describes Malcolm's first "religious experience." And boy, did I learn a lot! (please ignore this outburst of enthusiasm). First, I had no idea where the "white folk" was said to have come from. According to the teachings of the Nation of Islam, the "Masons" are Satan and Mr. Yacub created the white man by genetically mutating the DNA of the blacks. This was interesting and also a bit contradictory because of the fact that scientists did not learn how to genetically mutate things (and they did not know how genes worked in general) until much later on in history, starting with the teachings of Mendel and Darwin and people like that (Darwin was more natural selection and stuff but w/e, you get the point)...hmm...
Also, the part about how Moses and the other white folk got into the desert was interesting. The fact that the blacks clothed the white people was eye-opening too; that's why the Nation of Islam followers used sheepskin...
Also, they describe the white race on the island of Patmos as "blond, pale-skinned, cold-blue-eyed devils--savages, nude and shameless". Even though Malcolm goes on to describe them as "animals" who "walked on all fours" and who "lived in trees", apparently, concepts have changed a lot over the years! Now, blond-haired, blue-eyed whites are considered the purest Christians... go figure!
--and where is this island of Patmos anyway?!
Well, bottom line: religion is weird. SIGH. Well, this has been a very enlightening post--enjoy your break!
:]
3 comments:
I have to say Blogfrog, you have an amazing point. As I was just finishing Chapter 10, it left me enlightened in my history. Apparently I am part of a savage species who is considered "Satan." I was also surprised when they genetically mutated whites from blacks, even though it was hundreds of years before we even knew that there even was DNA. I don't know about you, but I was also surprised by the fact that Allah is considered a man, when in fact, Allah (according to the European Muslims) he is not.
But, I guess I wouldn't understand, since savages like myself don't understand any intellectual concept because my ancestors lived in trees. Oh well.
Hey Gabby! Yeah, I was also really surprised by that part of the chapter. The thing is, however, that "Yacub's History" isn't a belief of all muslims and that it was taught specifically in the U.S. in the Nation of Islam. I was confused for awhile because I thought Malcom meant it was a common belief. Anyways, I was completely shocked that the members of the Nation of Islam could actually believe that or feel that way towards whites, but as I thought about it, it made sense. I realized that it was a hypocritical thought because whites had had similar thoughts towards the blacks, believing them to be demon-like and stupid. It therefore seems reasonable for the negroes to have felt similar things about whites. Kinda shocking...
Hi Gab, I know, I am so mean to give you reading over the break!:( But you're stuck with me and now I'm commenting on your blog--ha ha ha! Anyway, I like your writing voice a lot and encourage you to continue posting the types of reactions you discuss here. Also, add personal opinion, experiences, etc. that you have that relate to this part of the book. Also, make sure to add content from the web!
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