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Malcolm X and His Contribution to Islamic Religion
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Malcolm X and His Contribution to Islamic Religion
Malcolm X was a human right activist and Muslim minister of African-American origin. He was born in May 19, 1925 and was assassinated at the age of 40. Malcolm X was popularly known to many as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the Islamic name given to him following his commitment to the fundamentals and Islamic ideologies (Sabrina 4). While growing up among the whites in Michigan, Malcolm X started developing mistrust for the white Americans following the believe that it was the white terrorist who murdered his father while he was six years (Turner 61-2). This incident marked the transformation of this little man as he turned to crime upon moving to Harlem. At the age of 20, Malcolm X was arrested and taken to prison for criminal offense (larceny, breaking, and entering). It was during his prison life that Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam; a movement founded by Wallece Fard in the 1930s (DeCaro 76). He rose to the ranks to become a leader in the Nation of Islam. He opted for the name X on the belief that he had lost his true lineage following forced slavery on his African ancestors. For years, Malcolm X featured as the public face of this controversial Islamic group that believed and worshipped Allah and also lived to Mohammed’s teachings. In protecting the Nation Islam’s teachings, Malcolm X strongly advocated for Black-White separation, scoffed at the American’s civil rights movement, and espoused black supremacy by emphasizing on white-black integration (Kly 77).
Following the mysterious disappearance of Fard, Elijah Muhammad ascended to the leadership of the movement. The Nation of Islam became very powerful and influential, especially among the African-Americans who had been released from prison and where in search of help and guidance (Turner 54). The group preached strict adherence to moral codes as well as relying on fellow African-Americans for guidance and support. The primary goal of this movement was not integration, but empowering the blacks to establish their own churches, support networks, and schools (DeCaro 85). After making his personal conversion to Muhammad, Malcolm X’s talents were recognized by Elijah, making to become the spokesperson of the Black Muslims. Having been disillusioned with Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X led repudiation to the Nation of Islam and its fundamental teachings (Sabrina 6-7). It was after this walkout that Malcolm X embraced Sunni Islam. Following years of Middle East and African travels, Malcolm founded the popular Organization of Afro-American Unity and the Muslim Mosque, Inc. upon his return to the U.S.
While emphasizing the concept of Pan-Africanism, black self-defense, and black self-determination, Malcolm X disavowed the then prevailing racism. It was his repudiation of the Nation of Islam that prompted his assassination by a three-member team from the Nation of Islam movement. Malcolm X significantly contributed to the growth and development of Islamic region in the U.S. and other parts of the world (DeCaro 98). Through his inspirational and eloquent prose style, he electrified urban audiences, thus, impacting on their religious choices. His contribution to the spread of Islamic religion was facilitated by the establishment of the Mecca pilgrimage in 1964, a place that has since attracted Muslim faithful (Kly 65-6). His mission in supporting the spread of Islam came to an end on February 21, 1965 when the rival Black Muslims group arranged for his gunning down while he was leading a mass Muslim rally in Harlem (Sabrina 9). Although Malcolm X is no more, his Islamic ideologies and philosophies lived to be embraced by the Black Power Movement and the rest of the Muslim followers globally.
Works Cited
DeCaro, Louis A. Malcolm and the Cross: The Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, and Christianity. New York [u.a.: New York Univ. Press, 1998. Print.
Kly, Yussuf Naim, ed. The Black Book: The True Political Philosophy of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz). Atlanta: Clarity Press, 2008.
HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22sabrina+zerar%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=4” Sabrina, Zerar. Malcolm X’s Ideology: From the Puritan/Nation-of-Islam Doctrine to Independence Rhetoric. GRIN Verlag, 2010.
Turner, Richard Brent. “Islam in the African-American Experience”. In Bobo, Jacqueline; Hudley, Cynthia; Michel, Claudine. The Black Studies Reader. New York: Routledge, 2004.
A Personally Delivered Letter And A Memo
A Personally Delivered Letter And A Memo
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc377218389” A personally delivered letter or an email sent to the trapped miners’ families PAGEREF _Toc377218389 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc377218390” A memo to all company employees regarding the mine accident PAGEREF _Toc377218390 h 2
A personally delivered letter or an email sent to the trapped miners’ familiesDear Mrs. (insert surname)
Following today’s, August 5, 2010, tragic accident at one of our gold and copper mines near Copiapo, the management and Board of Directors of Minera San Esteban Company would like to formally inform you that one of the video cameras we had threaded underground has captured images of the miners and we are relieved to inform you that they are all in good health. As you might have been made aware by the media, the mine in which your (husband, son) was working in caved in and in the process 33 of our workers were trapped inside an underground chamber 2,300 feet under the surface. Fortunately, as I have stated they are all alive and in good health. Your son/husband along with the rest of the trapped miners has even sent us a message to confirm that they are in good health.
Since we are not aware of how long they can survive with limited water, food, and oxygen, every concerted effort is being made to rescue them at the earliest time possible. We would like to reiterate that we are working together with all the government rescue services and other local organizations for a faster rescue of all our thirty three employees trapped underground. As a result of this accident, we have closed the San Jose mine and suspended work in other mines in order to concentrate on the rescue mission. Rescue teams are at this point drilling holes underground to locate the miners.
We would also like to inform you that your husband/son and his colleagues have fared on bravely and shown great courage under the circumstances. In their communication to us, they have stated how they were finally able to dig a channel underground using light vehicles and an excavator.
At this point, we would like to assure you that the company with the assistance of the government and other rescue organizations are doing their very best to ensure that your husband/son is brought to the surface as safely and quickly as possible. We understand that this is indeed a difficult time for your family and the rest of the community. However, understand that we are also undergoing the same emotional anxieties and difficulties since they are also our employees with whom we share many experiences. We are equally anxious to see them safely out of that mine. Thank you for your prayers and patience.
Regards,
A memo to all company employees regarding the mine accidentMINERA SAN ESTEBAN COMPANY
TO: ALL STAFF
FROM: MANAGEMENT
DATE: AUGUST 5, 2010
SUBJECT: SAN JOSE MINE ACCIDENT
The management hereby makes a formal announcement and verification of the unfortunate events at one of our gold and copper mines near Copiapo. Earlier today, August 5, 2010, our gold and copper mine near the city of Copiapo caved in at one section and ended trapping thirty three (33) members of our mining team 2,300 feet underground. I would also like to further inform you that one of the video cameras we had threaded underground has captured images of the miners and we are relieved to inform you that they are all alive and in good health. The trapped miners have even sent us a message to confirm that they are still alive and in good health. Our brave and courageous colleagues were able to reach a shelter below the point where the mine collapsed. They used underground vehicle lights and an excavator to dig a channel to safety.
However, we are not in a position to tell how long the oxygen, water, and food they have down there will last and we are at the moment drilling to the chamber in order to rescue them. It is not certain at this point when or how long it will take to get the men to the surface. In the light of these challenges we have sought for assistance from the government and other rescue organizations to bring our men to safety as quickly as possible.
Following this unfortunate event, we have closed the San Jose mine and suspended work in other mines in order to concentrate on the rescue mission. The company is fully aware of the anxieties and fears most of you are having with regard to the safety of our colleagues bit it is important that we maintain calm and pray for their safe and quick rescue.
Thank You,
References
Weik, J. (2010). Over 30 workers trapped after Chilean copper mine collapse. Metal BulletinDaily,224, 65-65.
Haroon, S. (2010). Chilean miners found alive – but rescue will take four months. London: TheGuardian. Retrieved April 23, 2011, fromhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/23/miners-trapped-alive-chile.
Literary analysis of the novel Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
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Literary analysis of the novel Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Introduction
The novel, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, is a novel set during the Cultural Revolution in China. It is about the life of two teenage boys affected by the idea of communism in China. The Cultural Revolution is a movement led by Mao Zedong against the capitalist societies in the country. Mao led the Communist Party of China in the revolution that focused on enforcing communism in China. The revolution could achieve this objective by changing the traditional culture of China and enhancing the capitalist culture in the society. Analysis of the characters and the setting of the gives details of the effects of Cultural Revolution in China as well as the development of communism. Change in forms of administration from capitalist to communist forms affect different issues in society. The Cultural Revolution of China forces the two characters in the book to look for re-education. The novel uses some themes to show the effects of political systems and negative ideologies on the society. China suffered from the false ideologies of communalism brought about by the Cultural Revolution.
The first part of the novel is a narration by a character that the book has not mentioned. Luo and the Little Seamstress narrate the other part. This mix up of styles in writing helps in understanding characters and their actions. The author does not give real names to the characters, which gives a clearer understanding of the novel. An attempt by the reader reveals to study the characters reveal what the author intends to pass using them. The author gives a real name to one character only, Luo. Luo represents how disintegration of traditional culture affects the society. He takes away the virginity of Little Seamstress and impregnates her (Dai 176). The narrator shows the capabilities of human beings to survive using Luo. The narration by Luo indicates that he was open to other ideas from other people through his talent of storytelling. The background of the novel sheds some light on the history of China. China was so conservative at the time and not open to outside ideas, which contributed to political and economic redundancy. For instance, the government did not allow intellectuals and students to read western literature works out of fear that the scholars would use the knowledge they obtain to oppose the government.
Communism, re-education and the Mao regime
Communism is a social movement that aims at removing different classes in the society and creating one acceptable social class. The novel shows the effect of the Cultural Movement on the lives of many people. Mao led the revolution that affected different people including the military. It destabilized the laid down structures of the Chinese society at that time. Education and political sectors felt the effect of this revolution as the novel depicts. Communists regarded the political elites who were against their propositions as enemies of the state. It is for this reason that the communists sent the two characters to the village because their fathers were enemies of the state. The re-education centers served as centers of preventing the intellectuals from criticizing the Mao regime. Vices such as forced labor and cultural stereotypes characterized China’s life before and after the revolution.
The ruling class of China was corrupt and suffered from political illiteracy. For instance, they believed that the only way of having a communist society was to suppress the intellectuals who would oppose the movement. Personal interests took precedence over the interests of the majority. The novel shows that Mao’s goal in the revolution was to gain power and influence over the country. The government sent the young intellectuals to the remote villages to force them take the idea of communism. The remote villages did not have communication resources and other facilities, which forced the intellectuals to adopt communism (Dai 120). The two teenagers pass through a difficult life during the re-education sessions in the villages. They struggle they pass through in the village demonstrates the effects of education, love and friendship in solving various issues.
The government had recognized the effects and influence of education among the young people. It knew that the educated people would use their knowledge in opposing communism during the Mao regime. The issue of re-education explains the disintegration of the Chinese society during the period. In my opinion, the benefits of communism will become a reality if people apply knowledge and intellectual capabilities in different systems of the society. Lack of knowledge and information leads to failure of any system of government. Those behind the regime did not struggle to show its importance, but rather wanted to suppress the ideas of others including the intellectuals. This is the reason why the regime was not successful even after the death of its leader. Brooke’s describes the importance of a free mind and knowledge in all areas of governance.
Theme of love
The theme of love emerges as the novel develops. Luo falls in love with Little Seamstress and later impregnates her. Luo had tried to share with Seamstress what he discovered after reading books from outside China. Love and friendship unite Luo with the tailor’s daughter during the re-education session. They support each other in carrying out different tasks in the camp. Love lures Luo into taking care of Little Seamstress and protects her from the dangers present in the re-education camps (Dai 68). Friendship helps the characters in discovering hidden treasures of information in books. The two young teenage boys share what they discover with the beautiful daughter of a tailor. In his article, Brooke Allen argues that the discovery of love among the characters makes them realize the meaning of personal choice, which was against the communist ideas. Love motivates the characters to share what they have and to go through the difficulties in the re-education camps (Brooke 24).
Conclusion
Traditional forms of communism have not been successful in achieving their demands. This is because they base their actions on false ideologies and neglect the views of other people. The novel uses China to show how such false ideologies affect the society. Those behind communism ideas prevented criticism by subjecting the intellectuals to a difficult life in the villages. However, the characters discover milestones of knowledge from outside sources while they are in the re-education camps. The background of the novel gives details about the historical background of China. China suffered from the problem of lack of knowledge and conservative nature of people during this period. The people were not open to outside ideas and knowledge. Love, friendship, and knowledge are the best approaches to solving problems affecting societies. Different scholars have echoed the same views concerning communism in China. Allen’s article expresses the same concerns. Therefore, knowledge, power and friendship are responsible for the performance of any system of government.
Works Cited
Brooke, Allen. “A Suitcase Education.” New York Times Book Review, 9/16/2001, p 24. Print
Dai, Sijie. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. New York: Anchor Books, 2002. Print.