Not to relate to a movie again, but I couldn't stop thinking of how chapter 16 was related to the movie White Chicks while I was reading it. In White Chicks two men dress up as white women and live their lives pretending to be these two women, the Wilson sisters, until they are caught. Once it is discovered that they are not who they've been pretending to be, there is a sense of betrayal from some family and friends. Of course the movie ends with a happy ending, but I think this directly relates to what happened to Malcolm with the Nation of Islam. It, along with Muhammad, wore a mask (like in the movie) and they pretended to be what, in reality, they were not. Malcolm had always seen this group of people as loving and welcoming and it was very hard for him to accept the fact that they had been out to get him for a while - even to kill him. "For example, it was being said that 'Minister Malcolm is trying to take over the Nation,' it was being said that I was 'taking credit' for Mr. Muhammad's teaching, it was being said that I was trying to 'build an empire' for myself'" (Haley 296). Those were all of the things from the beginning that should have hinted to Malcolm that danger was to come. But instead, he looked past it and did not let it bother him. This appeared to be the right thing - to not let the negative bring you down - but in this case it left Malcolm blind to the attack that he would suffer from later.
This idea of wearing a mask also reminded me of the poem that I think we've looked at this year and we had to analyze last year for our English midterm. "We wear the Mask" talks about how people hide who they really are. They put on fake smiles and happiness to appease the world while they are really dying on the inside.
Both of these examples relate to my life because I live in a world where people feel like they need to be just as the media tells them. As much as I try to be my own person and not act just other people do, I believe that everyone gives in to this influence at one point or another. Many people put up a front or a facade in wearing the popular clothes or shoes. This takes away what makes everyone individuals and it makes everyone look close to the same. I believe that people put on their mask to blend in with everyone in fear that who they really are might not be accepted. Everyone spends soooo much time worrying about what other people think of them while those people are really only worried about how others view them too! I am not proud to admit but I think at times I am definitely a victim of this, too concerned about what other people think of me.
The facts about how people spend too much time worrying about others' opinions.
I also found it really interesting how Muhammad Ali came to be!
2 comments:
heyy christa! <3
wow i love your connection to white chicks lol...i think that you really have taken a lot from the book in order to connect it so easily to a popular movie from today's culture. I am in complete agreement with you on how the Nation of Islam was wearing a mask the entire time. This also portrays the lesson of deception, and how not everything is as good as it seems. so overall great connection!
luvs jen :)
dudeeeeeee, i am not a clutzz!!!! that was all the tables fault not mine! and there is definitely something wrong with your phone because when i call you it rings once and goes to voicemail, but yeah i can't even walk through my house never mind a mall. but i have mucho to tell you and it would be great if we were both in school at the same time cause chris told me you weren't here yesturday and neither was i so we definitely could have talked on the phone! but anyway, im upset that i am not doing track at the moment and i just thought of a little problem that i have because now i dont have anyone to carry my things after school...greatttttttt....well whatever ill figure it out...get better cause im guessing your sick annddddddddd i love youuuuu. MATRIARCH! FJKDSGKDNJKGN<333
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matriarch |ˈmātrēˌärk|
noun
a woman who is the head of a family or tribe.
HAHAHAHA!<3
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