Malcom X p348-373

The chapter of Malcolm X's autobiography I read told all about his travels deep into Africa. He clearly came to Africa with much hatred for the white man, but while there he came to realize that simply blaming the white man wasn't going to solve any of their problems. He talks about how different the people in Africa feel towards white people. They don't have the same hatred, in fact they are able to peacefully co-exist with each other. Another thing I took notice of were the events that he attended. Malcolm X was a celebrated speaker to the African people at every event he attended. The last thing I say I would have to admire about Malcolm X in this chapter was his conflict with Cassius Clay. Malcolm X was afraid to be seen publicaly with Clay because Clay was an avid follower of Elijah Muhammad, and he was afraid that the media would bring up questions of Clay leaving Elijah Muhammad for him. Out of respect and to avoid major controversy, Malcolm X distanced himself from Cassius Clay when in public. I think Malcolm X's views are very interesting because he can be militant one second and peaceful another, I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way.

Nation of Islam

Class,

You can view a brief history of the Nation of Islam by going to NOI.org. To answer Dylan's question about where the doctrines of the NOI come from, here is a clip from their website:

In 1931, the Master was preaching this Great Truth of salvation when He met a man named Elijah Poole in Detroit, Michigan. He chose him to be His Divine Representative in continuing this most difficult task of bringing truth and light to His lost and found people. For 3 1/2 years He taught and trained the Honorable Elijah Muhammad night and day into the profound Secret Wisdom of the Reality of God...

...When the Honorable Elijah Muhammad asked Him to identify Himself He replied that He was the Mahdi. He signed His name in 1933 as Master Wallace Fard Muhammad...

Here, we see the use of the title of "Mahdi". From what you've learned this semester, how does this help the cause of the NOI? Could Fard or Elijah Muhammad have accomplished what they did without the claim of Mahdi? Feel free to post answers to these questions or ask any further questions you may have.

Hamitic Myth

Class,

I did a bit of research to help clarify Tanner's question brought up today in class about the origins of the Hamitic Myth. Here's what I found; please feel free to keep posting comments and adding to the information provided:

HAM IN THE BIBLE (Genesis 9:20-27)

20) And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: 21) And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. 22) And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. 23) And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. 24) And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

25) And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

26) And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

27) God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.