Thinking About My Movie

For my research paper on Malcolm X, I have found sources not only from books, but I have also found information from the movie made by Spike Lee, a documentary with the actual Malcolm X, movie reviews and I also found a couple of clips on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENHP89mLWOY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izy6BiCV3Nw&feature=related where Malcolm was being interviewed on a show called “The City Desk”. Even though there were some bits of information left out of the movie, I think that Spike lee did a very good job. After looking at the movie, I found that the biggest source to help with producing the movie came from none other than Malcolm’s wife Betty Shabazz herself. Betty was probably the best source to help out with this movie because she was actually there and witnessed those events when they actually happened. Going off the subject for a moment, I learned that towards the end of the movie when the men assassinated Malcolm X that during the middle of the shoot when they captured the assassins they had to re-shoot the scene several times because the actors became really emotionally involved and acted as if Malcolm really did die and beat the actor who portrayed the assassin. At the end, I would say that there were a few positive and negative arguments that I felt I could sum up on Malcolm X. As for the source found in the book, it gave me a little more detail and clarity on Malcolm. One part of the book that I felt was not emphasized better in the movie was when Malcolm met Dr. King. This meeting was critical because it really gives people an insight on the differences between the motives and ideas of Malcolm and Dr. King. Dr. King’s idea was that if a race of people were to attack and shun another race of people, we should just turn the other cheek, try to get on with our lives and try to solve racial problems with nonviolent protests and marches; Malcolm X on the other hand, he felt that if a race of people were to attack and shun another race of people that that race should fight back. In short, you could say that Malcolm’s point was that you should fight violence with violence which is why he and Dr. King really did not become good friends because of their different views and opinions. With the movie reviews, they pretty much filled in the gaps with a couple of the negative facts that the movie left out such as Malcolm’s other life outside of the nation like his other wives and children. The interview with Malcolm I found on Youtube.com was a little helpful because some of the answers Malcolm gave the hosts of the show actually added on to my opinion that Malcolm might have been a little prejudice. One of the arguments that I came up with after looking at the information was that joining the Nation of Islam was one of the best choices that Malcolm made. The reason as to why is because after joining the Nation Malcolm’s life turned for the better because he stopped selling drugs, stealing and gave his life a more positive direction. Malcolm became one of the most notarized members of the nation and sort of became an inspiration to African Americans if not in United States but also in other countries. Another argument that I depicted from my sources was that leaving the Nation of Islam was the best choice Malcolm made toward the end of his life. After listening to Malcolm’s speeches and the teachings that he were given, it would seem that the Nation nearly turned Malcolm prejudice. Malcolm spoke out about how white people were evil and should not be trusted by the blacks and that blacks should separate themselves from whites. That information is kind of supported because some of the people not only in the movie, but also in the interviews kind of came to the same conclusion about that situation. The corruption that was going on behind the Nation such as making profits off of the members and indulging themselves with the riches is what finally woke Malcolm up from his dream and what was really going on with the Nation which gave him the motive to leave. There is an argument within my previous argument that I feel I could speak on which was that Malcolm might have been a prejudice towards white people. As I stated before, Malcolm spoke out against white people claiming that they were evil, like to deceive others and that blacks should try to separate themselves from them. The last argument that I felt that I could make about Malcolm was that he was one of the most influential people during that era of history. When I watched the movie and compared it with the book, I learned that everyone from regular citizens to the police and the government all said that it was amazing that one man could have so much power over the thoughts and views of people and also how quickly his name became well known throughout the country. The hardest of the arguments that I think might be hard to prove would be that Malcolm was one of the most influential people during that era and the reason is because no one really knows how anyone felt toward Malcolm because even though he was regarded heavily, there were some people not only in the Nation, but also on the outside who hated him because of his status so that means Malcolm might not had been as popular as everyone thought. The easiest that I would say could be proven was that leaving the Nation was the best choice he made because it was made clear that that the Nation was doing some dirty business behind the curtain and even Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm himself what deceptive deals were going on which was reason enough for Malcolm to leave. The one that I like best was the reason as to why Malcolm left the Nation of Islam and if I were to find resources on it, I would have to find a book that gives more detailed look at the conflict between Malcolm the Nation which led to his leaving and his demise. I will probably go back and dig up some more information because I think there are some key points I could have missed and I could make an argument out of them.