"Our history was destroyed during slavery"

Have you ever heard the name "Malcolm X"? Do you know anything about the man behind that name? What kind of a name is that? Why is he called that name?

Wel... These are just a few questions that the name Malcolm X rises. Incidentally, can you think (and post) a few more here?. Malcolm X appeared on television in Chicago on March 17, 1963 and related to those and other questions.

Read some words he said then:

"My father didn't know his last name. My father got his last name from his grandfather and his grandfather got it from his grandfather who got it from the slavemaster. The real names of our people were destroyed during slavery. The last name of my forefathers was taken from them when they were brought to America and made slaves, and then the name of the slavemaster was given, which we refuse, we reject that name today and refuse it. I never acknowledge it whatsoever."

Watch at least the first four minutes of the following video, and then let's hear (or read) what you have to say:



Added: September 05, 2006 From: antihostile

And now, let's get some work done here:

I. Read some of the the comments and responses on the youtube site.

II. Answer: Which comment (if any) do you identify with?

III. Add your own comment here and, if you want to, on the you tube site too.

V V. The clip.
a. Does the clip raise any new questions? If yes, which one (s)? Would you care to answer it / them?
c.. How is this video clip relevant to what we are studying?

V. antihostile

a. What kind of a name is this? What do you make of this name? Why is this person called this way? What sort of person can she / he be? Do you have any idea? Share your comment with us.

b. c. Check the number of viewers antihostile has had. What do you think about that? Why has he got such numbers? Write a response & comment here.

V. Would you like to learn more about the man? Start by reading the following quotation:

"I am not a racist. In the past I permitted myself to be used to make sweeping indictments of all white people. I must repeat that I am not a racist nor do I subscribe to the tenets of racism. I can state in all sincerity that I wish nothing but freedom, justice and equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people." — Malcolm X

Source http://www.youtube.com/user/antihostile

Now check the following blog: http://malcolmxfiles.blogspot.com/

Finally, find some more information (you can try wikipedia, for example)

Would you care to share your thoughts, comments, responses, etc. on the subject? I certainly hope you do (I'm looking forward to reading that)