Comparing Malcolm X And Frederick Douglass

Both Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X were at a disadvantage at one time because of language. The mastery of the English language served as a double-edged sword towards Douglass, in contrast, it became a stepping stool for Malcolm X. The time and environmental differences between the two individuals affected their motives of learning the English language. Due to slavery, Douglass resorted to different strategies to become literate. Malcolm X, on the other hand, had an abundance of resources in which he was able to attain to master the English language. Through the mastery of English, both Douglass and Malcolm X were able to express their ideas on subjects that related to the African history and personal experiences. The relation between Douglass
In the narrative of Douglass, the author focused on the situations surrounding his childhood life such as the abolitionists who wished to banish the systems of slavery and the Catholic emancipation. During the chances that Douglass was able to read, he read "The Columbian Orator" which contained one of Sheridan's speeches that covered the topic of Catholic emancipation (Douglass, p.147). Sheridan's speech created the base of Douglass's ideas on the thought of slavery and opened the mind to a realization to the current conditions he was experiencing. Douglass had gained a bitter realization towards the conscience of the slaveholders and felt jealousy towards his fellow-slaves' ignorance. Douglass stated: " As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing," (Douglass, p.148). He described slaveholders as a band of successful robbers who had uprooted Africans from their home and country and forced them to work underneath their rule (Douglass, p.148). With the sudden realization ongoing, Douglass felt suicidal yet clung onto the string of hope. Although showing the harsh reality to Douglass, Sheridan's speech created a better understanding of the conditions around him. Unlike Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X focused on various topics regarding
However, with every gain, there is a loss to be made. The English language gave a sense of freedom and security during Douglass's enslavement period while ensuring the pathway to freedom. However, understanding the English language also meant hardship due to his conditions as a slave. Douglass came to an understanding of Master Hugh's warning of learning how to read and write would lead to feelings of regret. Learning had become a curse rather than a blessing due to the realization of his surrounding conditions as a slave. "It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity," (Douglass, p.148). Douglass felt conflicted and envied his fellow-slaves for their ignorance of the slave trade and came to detest all slaveholders alike. Imprisoned for burglary, Malcolm X used his prison years wisely by learning and reading about this history of various countries and their people. Malcolm X felt quite accomplished of mastering the English language through the technique of studying the dictionary. The limitations of his vocabulary were no longer an issue when writing a letter to Elijah Muhammad or reading a book and understanding the focus point. Malcolm X states: "In fact, up to then, I never had been so