I'm not sure how we are suppopse to start or begin to discuss our stories, but is are some thoughts and a question that I pondered about our first essay:
I really liked how Malcolm compared the dictorionary to an encyclopedia. Although, he was in prison, I loved how Malcolm expressed that he felt free, because he had a dictionary.
Q: What would you say that Malcolm X had concluded about Language?
Share your thoughts with me. I'd really like to hear what you have to say about this essay. There are some more important points I think Malcolm is making about language, but I just cannot put my hand or head on it.
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4 comments:
I feel like I'm just gushing about every essay we've read, but I think they're all incredible. This one, especially, struck me. I've never been in prison, and I've never been a black man, so I can't understand Malcolm's viewpoint. But his thoughts on the importance of language came through loud and clear. His thirst for knowledge struck me--and made me want to read the dictionary for myself. He is a testimony of the importance and power of the written and spoken word, and I think more people than just Malcolm have been freed by words.
I just recently read "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" for another class. I remember this part in the book especially because of his passion for reading. He quit going to school mainly because he had a teacher tell him that he would never be able to achieve his dream of becoming a lawyer. His reading during his imprisonment then was the overcoming of more than his ignorance. Malcolm X actually educated himself and was forced to buy glasses after his time in prison because his eyes were damaged from the amount of reading he had done. This essay not only explains the broadening of his word-base, but also the broadening of his world. It is incredible to think of what doors may be open simply by reading. Malcolm ends his essay with the sentence, "...I never had been so truly free in my life." This statement is inspiring and motivating especially for me now since I find it difficult to make the time to read because I actually want to, not because I have to.
I loved the opening to this essay it really drew me in from the first sentence.
I guess how I was most affected by this essay is just to be aware of how much I take my education for granted. I need to learn how to appriciate my education more and how to hunger and thirst for knowledge in the same fashion Malcolm did. He REALLY wanted to learn, and I need to rediscover my desire for knowledge not just a degree.
It also reminded me how much I used to love to read just for readings sake, and I need to reinstitute that part of my day.
I think this essay had the most impact on me. I love that he made something of himself, especially now knowing what his teacher told him. Imagine how smart we would be if we applied ourselves as he did!
I have numerous books that I desire to read, but cannot even get all the reading done for classes! I pray I can find the time when college is over for me and my daughter is in. I do not desire to move all my "junk," but do want to take all my books!
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