Malcolm X And Elie Wiesel Analysis

Perspectives of the Individual

How were the experiences of/reactions of Malcolm X and Elie Wiesel similar and different? Do you think you would have reacted the same way in their place? Explain.
The experiences that Malcolm X and Elie Wiesel lived through were somewhat similar in that it involved racism, and how an individual responded when basic human rights were denied of them during their youth.
Malcolm’s perspective on white people and even America in general was influenced early on in his childhood when his father was killed in a suspicious accident, and the perpetrators never brought to justice. This lead to a decline in his mother’s health, having to be solely responsible for maintaining a household with eight children, and
resulting in her being committed to a mental institution. (pg. 18)
Elie also experienced racism, to a much greater extent. His entire family and the Jewish people of his town were segregated into a ghetto in Sighet. (pg. 6) Then in May of 1944 his own country turned against him and all Jewish people by allowing the German army to deport this community to Auschwitz-Birkenau. (pg 19)
As much as the experiences of these two men may be slightly similar, the reactions to their dehumanization were quite different.
Malcolm turned to a life of crime and violence and ended up in prison. It was during this time that he turned to religion and the Muslim faith. Even after Malcolm’s conversion, his hatred was still quite evident in many of his speeches. He often referred to the white man as “the devil.” (pg 162) Elie was the polar opposite. His entire family was taken away. After being separated from his mother and three sisters in Auschwitz, he never saw them again. He watched his father, whom he idolized, suffer and die a horrible death. Elie, a once devout Jew, lost his faith in God while in the camps. “The student of Talmud, the child I was, had been consumed by the flames. All that was left was a shape that resembled me. My soul had been invaded-and devoured-by a black flame.” (pg37) Despite all Elie went through, he emerged after the war becoming a journalist and writing about his experiences. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 as a result of his speaking out against violence, racism and other injustices since World War II. Elie and his wife Marion founded the Elie Wiesel Foundation for humanity in 1986. The foundations mission is "rooted in the memory of the Holocaust, to combat indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elie_Wiesel
In asking myself if I would have reacted in the same way as these two men, I have to honestly say that I doubt I would have turned to a life of crime as Malcolm had. Yet, I also do not believe that I would have lost faith like Elie. I believe that circumstances help shape who we eventually become, and that most times life’s struggles are just opportunities for growth. I was always taught that in this wonderful country of ours, everyone has the opportunity to be successful, and that the only limits that one has are the ones that you set for yourself.

This course is called “Perspectives of the Individual”. What two or three themes or ideas seem to you to best characterize the course? Explain. Have your ideas about the individual and society changed in any way because of the course? How and why? (or: why not?) What was, for you, the most important reading in the course? Explain why. What one reading was least important (not most boring but Least important) in the course? Explain.
There are several themes that are common in the works of this course. In Plato’s “Apology”, and the “Sermon on the Mount”, the important aspects include living a life of goodness, being a disciple of God, and never betraying one’s own philosophy no matter the cost. These are in my opinion a common idea that is trying to be expressed by the writers. Socrates cared more about being a good citizen, than in pursuing a life of wealth. Certainly Plato was an example of “to thine ownself be true” as when confronting death he chose to again be an example of his principled life and to accept his fate.
The themes of racism and prejudice, and how one reacts to this in life run through “The Handmaids Tale”, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “Night”. Another theme common in these works are faith and indifference. Certainly if people took a stand in Gilead, women would not have been treated as a reproductive tool. If people took a stand during the World War II, 6 million Jews might not have been slaughtered. If people took a stand against racism in the last century, perhaps there would be more tolerance of all races and religions.
For me, the least important work was Malcolm X. Perhaps, because I do remember stories from my parents about the difficulties of these times, and the volatility that was part of everyday life. I also feel that after reading “Night” and what Elie lived through, I almost was not as empathetic towards Malcolm and his experiences.
To me the most important work that was presented in this course was Elie Wiesel’s “Night”. The story was beautifully written, and I truly read the entire book in one sitting. I was captivated by his life, and after reading the book, researched what became of him after the war. He is the finest example of how one can achieve anything in life despite your circumstance.
I believe it was good for me to read all of the works, as it reinforced my views of faith and being honest in my life. I have never been a racist, however since 9/11, my tolerance of the Arab community and Muslims in general has been shaken. I do understand how one can feel anger towards a certain race because of life experience, but it is important to always remember that goodness should always prevail.