Malcolm X and Black Nationalism in the Black Freedom/Civil Rights Era - Essay Example

Malcolm X’s program calls for “Restoration”, “Reorientation”, and “Education” (X, Program of the Organization of Afro-American Unity), all of which include learning to hate and, in the process, continuing our physical and intellectual separation and economic inferiority. By re-opening communication channels and connections with Africa, the OAAU would be doing a deep disservice to African-Americans by refocusing attention from racial and economic success here at home and toward the immense problems that continue to affect the African continent, who themselves are dealing with the after-effects of colonization.

Although Malcolm X may feel a sense of “home” when it comes to Africa, I feel a strong sense of “home” in America, and I prefer to focus my attention here. “Education” in Malcolm X’s sense of the word is synonymous with “brainwashing”, which is an activity that I cannot participate in. I have read Malcolm X say that, “You have to be careful, very careful, introducing the truth to the Black man who has never previously heard the truth about himself, his own kind, and the white man.. The Black brother is so brainwashed that he may even be repelled when he first hears the truth” (X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X 167).

The only truth that African-Americans need to know is that they should be seeking prosperity and happiness in America; what Malcolm X is advocating is teaching them to hate white people, which is just another form of brainwashing. By integrating our peoples together, we will all through time learn to work side-by-side to make life better for all; that’s not to say that I do not see challenges along the way, but it is preferable to short-sighted, isolationist solutions like those advocated by the OAAU.

Not only do I see the OAAU platform as intellectually or mentally aggressive, I also see it