Malcolm X post 2

This next chapter brings a brighter side of Malcolm that was not present in Chapter 1 but also continues the chain of unfortunate events that keep occurring in his life. The start of this chapter leads Malcolm to a new family, the Swerlins. Since his father died and his mother was pronounced insane Malcolm was placed under the Swerlins care. The Swerlins were kind and giving to Malcolm. Outside of the Swerlins meant school. In school Malcolm rose on top. He was top of his class in his junior high school. This brings a happy and relieving moment for me while reading. This is because Malcolm is starting to turn his life around. But as soon as that moment comes its taken away when Malcolm gets discouraged by his teacher. " Malcolm, one of life's first needs if for us to be realistic. Don't misunderstand me, now. We all here life you, you know that. But you've got to be realistic about being a nigger. A lawyer-thats no realistic goal for a nigger. You need to think about something you can be."(Haley 38). This enrages me because I believe that Malcolm shouldn't listen to his teacher about what he thinks Malcolm can and can't be.  If Malcolm wants to be a lawyer he should set his mind on it instead of listening to other people.

Malcolm X post 1

The first chapter of Malcolm X was very depressing and unfortunate for young Malcolm Little. This first chapter set the tone for me for the rest of the book. It was so powerful and heart touching that it keeps me in suspense for what is to come in the oncoming chapters. Living in a period in time which African Americans were abhorred made his life difficult. The hatred towards his family due to their color of their skin turned into the destruction of their houses and to certain lives. "I remember being suddenly snatched awake into a frightening confusion of pistol shots and shouting and smoke and flames. My father had shouted and shot at the two white men who had set the fire and were running away. Our home was burning down around us." (Haley 3). The destruction of the Little's house was one of Malcolm's first memory which he remembers. But this isn't the last unlucky event in Chapter one of Malcolm's life. Soon after the fire, Malcolm's father Earl Little dies. These continuous tragedies in Malcolm's life makes me wonder if his life could get any worse. From discouragement at school to his saddened mother at home, life was spiraling out of control fast. I hope Malcolm will receive some sort of relief from these grievous events in his life in future chapters.