Help for the Malcolm X Essay

Choose One Central Idea:

a. Racial Identity: Malcolm’s skin color affects the way he is treated in American society, and therefore influences the way he feels about himself. His racial identity ultimately influences the choices he made. This can also refer to the way people feel about their race and how it makes them feel.

b. Systematic Oppression: The ruling majority of whites did not allow blacks to fully enter American society. They did not have the same opportunities to succeed as whites. The system made it difficult for them to find wealth and success for themselves, so Malcolm felt that some were forced to turn to a life of crime in order to survive.  

c. Solidarity: Malcolm believes his people could better their situation if they would unite to fight the injustices in America together. He fears that many of his brothers and sisters have become so brainwashed that they believe they are inferior to whites and would not be willing to listen to what Malcolm teaches.  

d. Segregation vs. Integration: Malcolm does not believe his people should have to work to gain the acceptance of white American society.  He does not want them to change themselves to fit into white society. He is not working to unite with the white community but to empower his own people—he eases on this at the end of the book after leaving the Nation of Islam. This can also refer to how people separate and integrate themselves (ex. “Hill Negroes” in Boston)

Feel free to use the Spark Notes for Malcolm X to remind you what happened in the chapters

Friday's chart notes: Brainstorming for essay ideas