Blog Post #1: Malcolm X. “Learning to Read”
The author’s argument:
The author argues the importance of reading and writing and how it relates to community building.
Answer questions:
1. What is the larger conversation?
The larger conversation in “Learning to Read” is the importance of learning and how it resulted in Malcolm X’s success.
2. What other voices are in this conversation?
In this conversation, we see Malcolm X talking about his self-education journey. He mentions the books that he read and how they were eye opening. We also see some of the people that Malcolm X looked up to like Bimbi. “It had really begun back in the Charlestown Prison, when Bimbi first made me feel envy of his stock of knowledge. Bimbi had always taken charge of any conversations he was in, and I had tried to emulate him”. (258) The author also introduces the teachings of Mr. Muhammad and how they helped shape Malcolm’s journey. “The teachings of Mr. Muhammad stressed how history had been “whitened” – when white men had written history books, the black man simply had been left out. Mr. Muhammad couldn’t have said anything that would have struck me much harder”. (260)
3. What counts as evidence for the author?
The author counts Malcolm X’s political activism as evidence to his argument.
4. How does the author acknowledge counterarguments?
The author used the beginning of Malcolm X’s learning journey to acknowledge counterarguments. Through explaining Malcolm X’s ignorance of the African American history due to his lack of ability to read, write, and communicate efficiently.
5. How does the author acknowledge the audience?
The author’s tone and voice are clear and are used to reach a diverse audience.
Are convinced with the argument:
I am convinced by the argument because education brings new views and gives more access to different sources. When something new is learned there is a community that I can bond with over that subject and therefore, that could lead to stronger community bonds.
