These questions for reflection were originally used with a basic composition class in whcih we read and discussed the philosophies of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandel and Thomas Sankara.  This particular piece was taken from the pamphlet Two speeches by Malcolm X, published by Pathfinder Press.

Please discuss the following questions in your groups regarding the readings in Two Speeches by Malcolm X.  Pay attention to the philosophy he adheres to as we will be discussing the development and changes he goes through as we read more.

1.  What do you think is meant by the phrase ìhuman rights?î  How does Malcolm use this term?

2.  What is his solution for the Black struggle?  Do you agree with this solution?  Why or why not?

3. On p. 6 he speaks of the ìnon-violenceî question.  What does he believe? How does this contrast with the usual view of ìviolence?î

4.  What does he mean by ìBlack nationalism?î (p.7)  What does Malcolm see as the fear of whites?

5.  This was written in the year 1964. What do you know about the political climate in the US at that time?  Why does he think it is ìone of the most explosive years yet in the history of America on the racial front?î (p. 8-9)

6.  How does he explain the formation of his organization?  What kind of language does he use? How does this description make you feel?

7.  On pp. 10-11 he describes a series of racial incidents which happened in Cleveland and other cities during these years.  What is the importance of these incidents for Malcolm?  How do you think this foreshadowed or predicted what was and is to come in the future?

8.  What is an ìUncle Tom?î  What is he describing in the second to last paragraph on p. 11?

9. How does he compare the Revolutionary War in the US to the Black struggle in 1964? Is this a valid comparison?  Why or why not?

10.  ìRevolutions are never even based upon that which is begging a corrupt society or a corrupt system to accept us into itî (p.12).  What does he mean by this?  How does he compare to what you know about other Black leaders such as Martin Luther King?

11.  On p. 13 he says ìThe greatest weapon the colonial powers have used in the past has always been to divide and conquer.  America is a colonial power.î  What does he mean by this?  Is this still true today?  Can you think of any examples?
 

Please discuss the following questions pertaining to Two Speeches by Malcolm X, pp. 14-21.
 

1. How does Malcolm view the difference between ìcivil rightsî and ìhuman rights?î
 

2.  What is the difference between those who struggle on the national scale as opposed to those who think internationally? (pp.14-15)
 

3.  What does he think of people who call themselves ìliberals?î  Who are the liberals of today?  What do you think Malcolm would think of them?
 

4.  Why does he think that it is ìimpossible for Uncle Samî to solve the problems of Black people?  Do you agree or disagree? What does Malcolm think should be done? (pp.16-17)
 

5.  What does Malcolm think of John Kennedy?  How does this compare with the usual image projected of him in the media today? What do you know about Kennedy?
 

6.  Who are the ìhand-picked Negroesî he refers to?  How do they help or hurt the cause?
 

7.  What is the situation he describes with the ìDixiecrats?î How did they conspire with other Northern Democrats?
 

8.  How does Malcolm think that a ìbloodlessî revolution can come about in the United States?  Do you agree that there is such a thing as a ìbloodless revolution?î  Remember the historical context in which this speech is given.
 

9. ìRevolutions are fought to gain control of the land, to remove the absentee landlord and gain control of the land and the institutions that flow from that landî (p.20). What application do these words have for our political and economic situations today?
 

Please discuss the following questions which pertain to the last part of the pamphlet Two Speeches by Malcolm X, as well as the video we watched last week.

1.  Who are the ìBlood Brothersî Malcolm refers to on p. 22?

2.  On p. 23 he gives a strong interpretation regarding the role of the police.  Do you agree with this interpretation?  Is this still true today?  Why or why not?

3.  What does he say about Police Commissioner Murphy?  How does this compare with what was said about Daryl Gates and other ìfamousî police commissioners?

4. He mentions several revolutions which took place during his day.  What does he say about them?  What common features do these revolutions share?

5. On p. 26 he says: ìItís impossible for a white person today to believe in capitalism and not believe in racism.  You canít have capitalism without racism.î  What does this mean?  Do you agree?  Why or why not? Look at his other comments on pp. 46-7.

6.  What does he say was the contribution of the Black Muslim movement in the early 60ís? (p. 28, more on p. 30)

7.  He says on p. 28: The leaders themselves never intended, and never do intend, for our people to go too far.  Their primary purpose has always been to contain our struggle, not to lead our struggle.î  What does he mean?  What examples of so-called ìleadersî do you see today?

8. On p. 31-2 he comments that the problem of fighting racism is ìbeyond religion.î Why did he think this? What is your opinion?

9. On p. 34 he comments: ìSo all these little advances were made by oppressed people in other parts of the world during 1964.  These were tangible gains, and the reason they were able to make these gainsñthey realized that power was the magic wordñpower against power.  Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression, because power, real power, comes from conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.î What is your interpretation of these comments?

10. What is the main point of his discussion of political action on pp. 38-9?

11. How does he distinguish between human and civil rights ? (p. 42)

12. In the last few pages of the interview, as well as in the previous article, we see Malcolm taking a much more internationalist  perspective towards the struggle for human rights.  How does this differ from the first speech in this book, and the first part of the video?  Why do you think he changed or evolved his viewpoints?
 

Two Speeches by Malcolm X
Essay Questions
 

Please choose one of the following questions for your essay.  Then find another person who is interested in the same question and discuss possible points to include in the essay. Be sure to answer all parts of the question! For the next class meeting bring a rough draft of 2 to 3 pages.  You will discuss the drafts with your classmates.
 
 

1.  In the last few pages of the interview, as well as in the previous article, we see Malcolm taking a much more internationalist  perspective towards the struggle for human rights.  How does this differ from the first speech in this book, and the first part of the video?  Why do you think he changed or evolved his viewpoints?
 
 

2. Some have accused Malcolm X of preaching hate and racism.  Do you think this is true?  Why or why not? What is your definition of racism?  Why is or isnít Malcolm a racist?  Taking into account the two speeches in the pamphlet as well as the interview, argue for a specific position, providing support and evidence for your opinions.
 
 

3. What do you think is the significance of Malcolm X for young people today?  How can they learn from his views?  What application do they have to social conditions today?