4 Comments

To Caylin
I completely agree with what you are saying. In a sense, saying that someone without power can not be a racist, is actually being racist to that group. This is just as bad as if you used ethnic slurs against them, etc. You are denying them the right to discriminate against another religion, which is basically depriving them of a privilige (not a good privilige, but that is irrelevant) because they are the minority. I find it hard to believe that someone could be close-minded enough to think that a group isn't racist because they are the minority. Just because they are lesser in numbers, doesn't make their actions towards other people have any less meaning, or are any less racist. You can't justify letting this slide, because the group is a minority. 

Here is an example:
If an African-American assaulted a Caucasian, would they be judged in a court of law any differently than if it had been a white person, because they are the minority group? The obvious answer to that question is no, so how can we judge them differently when they do it?
-Josh

To Jen
I enjoy debating, and I really liked the perspective your article gave me. You made me realize the connection between Malcolm's days as a hustler, and his current job as a member of the NOI. This is very important, because although he has turned around his life, he still has not completely separated himself from his past. I also really enjoyed the article you posted. Being in the same math class, I was able to connect with the references you made, especially in the article. I could look at each tactic, and pick out an instance where I saw this put into action. I completely agree with what you said, and I think that Malcolm's days as a hustler had more of an effect on him than he realizes.

To Sam
I completely agree with what you are saying here. I like your comparison of Elijah Muhammad to a Rabbi. However, I think this is also the area where the two religions differ. In the NOI, the members look to Elijah Muhammad as an extension of god himself, not just a prophet. In Judaism, we look at Rabbis as prophets, who spread god's message, not as god himself. However, I do think of Rabbis as spiritual advisors. Although I don't go to my Rabbi very often, I know that if I ever need help with an issue I am having, I can go to him, and he will give me his honest, unbiased, opinion on the situation.

To Eric
Eric, your post here rings true 100%. I was reading two articles in ESPN the magazine, and in the Bergen Record. One of these articles was about Charles Barkley, and how he vowed never to become a role model. The other was about John Elway. What I am trying to get at is that all celebrities, whether they like it or not, are role models. Their actions are constantly under the spotlight of the media, and everyone is always watching them. I think, that Malcolm's situation may be much worse than someone who looks up to a celebrity, simply because Malcolm was so close to Elijah. Not only did Malcolm lose a role model when Elijah betrayed him, but he lost a friend, and a religion. I agree with what Ben said as well. Something like that is bound to happen when you worship a human being as god. Malcolm must have been devastated, and I agree with everything you say here.