Martin Luther King, Jr. & Malcolm X

In these two quotes, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X put forward two different philosophies for responding to racial oppression. What are your thoughts on these two viewpoints? Which quote do you agree with more? Support your answer.


Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys a community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I think there are plenty of good people in America, but there are also plenty of bad people in America and the bad ones are the ones who seem to have all the power and be in these positions to block things that you and I need. Because this is the situation, you and I have to preserve the right to do what is necessary to bring an end to that situation, and it doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't even call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence.

- Malcolm X

Righteous Hate?

In "Notes of a Native Son," Baldwin explores how hate is detrimental to the soul: "Hatred which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the man who hated and this was an immutable law." (53).

Do you think that hate is ever justifiable, even righteous? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

Money vs. Passion

Does anybody have any last thoughts on what we talked about in class today? Why are you attending college? To prepare for a career? To study something you love? Both?
How important is passion for a career? How important is money?

Superman & Alexie

What does the image of Superman represent in American culture. Why do you think Sherman Alexie would compare himself to this Western icon?

Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass

Compare Malcolm X's "Learning to Read" with Frederick Douglass's "Learning to Read and Write." What are the main similarities and differences between the two essays?

Against School

In "Against School," Gatto challenges the institution of education. Write a few paragraphs where you argue against something that is held in high regard by the majority of society.

For Tuesday

For Tuesday, please read Alexie's "Reading, Writing, Superman and Me" and Douglass's "Learning to Read and Write"

It is very important that you do the reading for Tuesday because we will be working with these two essays in depth in class on Tuesday and over the next few weeks. These essays will serve as the first two essays that we will compare as we practice for the exit exam at the end of the semester.

As you read, take detailed notes in the margins.

How does each author learn how to read and write?
What hindrances does each author face?
How are the essays similar? How are they different?
What is the tone of each essay?
Who is the audience for each essay?
What is the purpose of each essay?

Also, please check out the biographies of these two authors because they are important for understanding the essays.

Frederick Douglass, (19th century African American humanitarian and abolitionist: author of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave)
Frederick Douglass

Sherman Alexie (20th century Native American author of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction)
Sherman Alexie

And on a final note: Don't forget to bring your thesis for your neighborhood essay to class on Tuesday.