What makes a novel "a classic"?

For all of my life, every time I heard the word "classic" I thought it was some sort of genre or a way of classifying books. But over time, I learned that classics are considered any novel that is timeless; a novel that has human nature characteristics that will be current in any era of time. (I know that was pretty good--and no I didn't go to the dictionary). But, classics are not only books that have been written 50-100 years ago, like Shakespeare and Bronte, but they can also be modern classics, like Catch 22 (although I've never had the chance to read it), that will also be timeless, but the only change would be the time in which it took place.

What do you think?

Always happy to hear your thoughts. 

B. 

My Comments to Others

To Gabby:

I would just like to say, right on. Malcolm X is so hypocritical. Well I guess he doesn't see that he thinks about being a Black too. Not only does he preach about Racism, but he blames every other religion/ethnic group for the blacks being poor. He claims that Jews only think about themselves and make money off the slums in Harlem. But there is no reason what so ever that he should blame us for keeping them poor. We never deliberately made sure they stayed that way, they could have just as easily found ways to get out of that slum. OK sorry, I just got a little overboard with my Jewish pride, but it feels good finally take it out. (exhale).

To Alyssa:

I love how you related horseback riding with Malcolm X. Not only horseback riding, but the fear of horseback riding that relates to his beliefs of the white man. The ideas are so unrelated that it simultaneously relates to each other. I also thought that Malcolm changed his views too quickly. It makes me wonder if he really got over his racist white beliefs. I also think that the site you provided was very useful. I am also afraid of getting back on the horse and maybe this may help me in the future. Overall, keep writing! I love your stuff.

To Ashley:

Ashley, I loved your blog and about the article about the tree of hope. I love how the gentleman who showed us the apollo theater let us touch the tree of hope, which so many people were privileged to touch. After reading your article, I finally realized that he let us touch a part of the African American History. I feel privileged to say "I touched the tree of hope".

To Ellen:

Ellen, First of all, I never knew you were a SECOND DEGREE black belt! So, Congratulations! Ok, second, I love how you relate the competition of a sport, to the competition of different companies, all the way back to the competition of Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X. I would have never even thought of combining those two ideas. It makes sense that Elijah would feel threatened by Malcolm as a better public speaker.

At first, I was surprised that Elijah would, behind Malcolm's back, try to portray him as a bad guy. But, now that I think about it, It's absolutely human nature. Also, since Elijah did that, it showed how human Mr. Muhammad really is. It pushed him off his pedestal and into the pool of humans that once thought he was greater.

Malcolm X: The Brothers and Sisters of Islam (5)

Okay I know it's bad, but...I forgot to ask one question when visiting the Mosque in Harlem. So, instead, I decided to do research on my own and figure out what the answer might be. I want to know Why do Muslims call each other 'brother' and 'sister'? Well by my guessing, I think that maybe they want to show that everyone is on one level. But, being called 'ladies' and 'gentlemen' is not exactly showing superiority to the person who is speaking. I also don't think that by calling each other by 'brother' and 'sister' will necessarily make you feel closer to the speaker. 

Maybe for us it will because we don't get called that on a daily basis. But if a young girl is being called 'sister' I don't believe she truly understands the meaning, especially if she turns out to not be as religious as her parents and ancestors. I found an article that explains why they call each other 'brother' and 'sister'. 

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1199279439231&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

I also found an answer to my same question that says that Muslims call each other that because of an old habit when their ancestors were slaves. Either way, It's interesting to see the different cultures as they mirror the religions they follow. 

What do you have to say about it? 

let me know! 8)

Malcolm X: Trip to Harlem (4)

First, I would like to say, Mattessich you know how to put on a field trip. I really wasn't expecting it to be so much fun. Harlem was cleaner than I expected and although I've heard a lot about Harlem, I would have never expected it to be that amazing. Also, I've been to places where the guide has told us history about that specific site, but I don't know why this one was just so much more enjoyable for me. Maybe it was because we are learning about Malcolm X at the same time we're reading the Autobiography. Maybe it's because the guide was specifically for Malcolm X and his experiences. 

One of the two favorite parts of the trip was when we went into the Langston Hughes museum and we ran into the 1st graders from a Harlem Elementary School. I loved seeing those cute black kids learning what we are. At that point, I wanted to talk to them about what they thought about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, other than what they learned from school. I wanted to hear their stories of their parents and grandparents who lived through the changes of Harlem. 

Next, the Apollo Theater. I would just like to say, it was awesome to see so much musical history in one theater. It's hard to believe that so many people became famous from one area. And one person, if I may add, has met many of those famous people (if only I could remember his name?) He was hysterical and I felt privileged to get to meet someone who is such a part of history.

And of course, the food at Sylvia's was everything you said it would be.

After learning about Harlem, I was happy that the guide constantly reminded us how Harlem is changing. Here's an article explaining the changes it's going through. 

Who knows? Maybe it might be the next Big Apple.

Thanks again Mattessich!

Comment if you like 0:)

Malcolm X: Integration (3)

But, this is one thing that bothers me. Malcolm X, the Black historical figure in America's History doesn't know what he wants. At first, Malcolm seemed impartial with the whites he dealt with (i.e. Sophia). Then, Malcolm does a complete 360 and decides that all whites are devils. DEVILS. Now, I understand kind of where he's coming from. I understand that his pride, adding on to his knowledge and influence provided by Mr. Muhammad, makes Malcolm do whatever it takes to make sure that he is heard.  He did learn about his past, and then when he needed it most, had the safety of the knowledge of Religion and finally got a full take of where he belongs. But now, when reading Chapter 15, I see that he doesn't even want integration. So I ask anyone who is willing to answer, How does Malcolm X expect to get his freedom? (if not integration)  

Obviously since integrating is the problem, and segregating is the problem, what is there to do? Does he want for all of the Black Muslims to have half of the country? Does he want all of the whites to be completely wiped out in the whole world? Because that is a very huge task that is impossible to complete. Moreover, he doesn't agree with Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. How does that help anything? Obviously they have completely different views on how to fix their Racial Issue. While Dr. King wants peace, Malcolm X wants (still can't tell you). 

Well other than freedom, of course. 

http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=38&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=14680  

comment if you like :)

Malcolm X: Interesting Article (2)

So basically, we are getting at a point in the novel when we can see that Malcolm doesn't have the same philosophy that we thought he had. I have heard many questions asking about Malcolm's real philosophy about racism. According to the book, It turns out that he's not only racist against anyone who is not Black Muslim, but he doesn't believe in anti-segregation, which is exactly what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached for years later. Now when trying to find information about the famous Malcolm X being racist, I found this interesting article http://www.jtf.org/america/america.malcolm.x.homosexual.htm, that not only was he racist against all religions including Christians and Jews, but he is a homosexual and a rapist. I can't say that I necessarily agree with this notion, nor do I encourage you to either. But, I really want you to read this article. Now, when I read this, I honestly didn't know how to react. It claims such outrageous facts about Malcolm, that it's just too hard to believe.  

ONCE AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS ARTICLE FOR A TOTALLY NEW PERSPECTIVE ABOUT MALCOLM X. 

I just want to repeat myself, I am not saying that I believe anything about this article, but it showed me that we're not the only ones who question his beliefs.

please let me know what you think! :D

Malcolm X: I don't even know. (1)

I know I'm not crazy. How do I know? Well it's quite simple, I'm a normal girl with a normal brain who lives with a semi-normal family. So why do I feel crazy when reading the second half of Chapter 10? I respect Malcolm and the Religious journey that he went through. But did he actually believe (and later preach) his religion to others?

Now, don't start thinking that I'm not open to other religions. Actually, I enjoy learning and exploring other views on how life was created, and so on. But Malcolm X's religion is bogus. I don't think I've heard of anything more rediculous. Apparently, all whites are Satans (who currently teach black history in school). Not only are we satans, but we were genetically created from blacks by a man named Mr. Yacub more than 5,000 years ago (you know, since people were so advanced back then.)

I don't know about you, but for me, Mr. Yacub is someone who sounds made up. Not only did he die when he was at the age of 152, but he discovered the law of magnetism at the age of six, according to this website: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/4623/frolinan/blackhist3.html. It also is believed that Yacub was born in the year 8400 (assuming that it's B.C) and thus founded his religion, before the Jews, the Christians, and apparently before the religion of Islam in the East.

So to conclude this note, why is the "Black Islam" religion called Islam when in fact the actual Islam is the youngest religion to this day? Why, if this religion is apparenly so old, was it not practiced what so ever before? And, if anyone can answer this question to me and to Blogfrog, where is the island of Patmos and why hasn't anyone discovered it yet?

I guess some things are better left unanswered.

Analyzing what it means to be privileged

With an outer appearance, it definitly looks like I'm the kind of girl with the privileged life. But what does it mean to be privileged? Does it mean to have a great family? To have a fine education? To have white skin? There are many different reasons why I am considered "privileged" among society, and those are just to name a few.

Around 30 years ago, my dad's family immigrated to America from the Soviet Union. I know I've told this story many times, but it's part of me, and it always ends up sneaking in my thoughts when talking about the effects of society. Anyway, both of my parents since then have almost literally drilled the phrase "You should be so lucky that you get to grow up in America and are able to have any job opportunity that you could ever ask for." Or, "I remember when I had to hide the fact that I was Jewish and when people found out, I was never treated the same." (Mind you, this was said in a THICK Russian accent.)

When reading the Article today by McIntosh, I understood what she meant by whites constantly carrying a knapsack. But, I wouldn't exactly only give it to whites. In her time, almost 20 years ago, maybe some of her points are correct. But, now adays, blacks have a different image. To me, it seems that they are proud of who they are. I mean, we have an African American president. If we still thought like we did back then, then Obama wouldn't have won the election. It is clear that we are making progress.

It's not exactly our fault that society is the way it is. Sometimes it feels like whites are blamed for being racist against African Americans, when most of us aren't racist at all. We will never know where society takes us. Maybe some day whites will be considered inferior to blacks. It is already the case when speaking of college admissions, since now it is easier for an African American who lives in an inner city neigborhood to get into a better college than a white immigrant from one of the outer cities. Is that racist to the whites? Maybe Whites aren't the only ones who were racist, maybe African Americans are racist against whites becasue they believe that they are racist against them.

Unfortunately, this topic can go in circles forever. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, let me know! Thanks for reading.

Malcolm X and his Family

It was the hardest thing--to read what Malcolm had to say about going through his mother's mental illness. It might be even more difficult than a parent physically leaving, but fortunately I wouldn't know from experience. I can't imagine either of myp arents going through what his mother went through, slowly deteriorating, while her kids who are too young to care for themselves, are forced to.

I also realized that his family, his seven other brothers and sisters, stuck together through their hard times. I think the reason Malcolm became so strong in the end is because of them, because he wasn't alone. I really respect all of them for not listening to the welfare officers and staying together as a family, even when everyone else around them discouraged it, if they meant it intentionally or not. I don't know if I would be able to stay that strong if I was in that situation. So, I respect Malcolm and his siblings for sticking strongly together, which for me, made it easier to read about Malcolm's mother's mental condition.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please let me know!
~B

Malcolm X: Lesson in Life

"All I had done was to improve on their strategy, and it was the beginning of a very important lesson in life--that anytime you find someone more successful than you are, especially when you're both engaged in the same business--you know they're doing something you aren't" (Haley 21).

When first reading this book, I didn't think that I would relate to Malcolm at all. But, after reading this quote, I realized that even he had something to say about life that even relates to the generation of today. I've always wanted to know what to do to make more successfull decisions in life. But, I've never had the ability to put it into words. When I read what he had to say about life decisions/strategies, Malcolm made it clear that first I have to admit that I am wrong, and second I have to change what I am doing and find out what they are. It's a very simple, but at the same time complicated process that's hard to do, especially if you are subborn like myself. But, when reading what Malcolm X had to say about strategies in life, it is clear why he is known throughout history, he was extraordinary from the beginning till the end.