BLOG #1
“Learning to Read”
Erika J. Petersen’s interest relates to Malcom X’s literary experience because she believed one’s previous experiences with reading and writing influences their attitudes towards it. She researched the effect of praise vs. discouragement towards reading and writing developments, upon a large age range of individuals from the ages of 11 to 44. I absolutely agree with her that children are sensitive towards doing what is right or wrong. If an adult or critic is too harsh the child will feel “less able”. This is why Petersen stresses on the significance of delicacy in education. Malcom X recalled that his teacher said that because of his race he could not accomplish his goals. He put his anger and desperation into reading and writing every single day for almost 15 hours. Interest is also important because in Petersen’s research, only one person enjoyed what she read and wrote in school. This was most likely because she saw good grades as a requirement rather than an accomplishment since she was expected in her family to succeed. However, although the rest of the students did well, they did not find what they learned relevant to their lives. They wrote what was expected of them and not what they really thought. Ironically, Petersen concluded that, “During a good portion of our schooling, we’re learning how to write the kinds of papers that we would never use in our everyday lives. Yet the experiences we have while learning how to write those kinds of papers can discourage us from reading and writing throughout the rest of our lives (pg.196).” This conveys how ironic it was that Malcom X was strictly criticized for being incompetent in reading and writing, yet most people do not even use the type of papers that we write in school in their futures. Malcom X could have decided on a different academic pathway which did not involve an advance level of reading and writing, but he became passionate in the subject. He found his interest in slavery and rebelled against the stereotypes that withheld his abilities. In conclusion, some people may quit all together if they are discouraged, but others may go against their criticism and that is how they are influenced.
“Learning to Read”
- Malcom X was orphaned, lived in foster homes, was involved in criminal activities, and dropped out of school in the 8th grade. His teacher told him his race would prevent him from being a lawyer. He stated that, “I couldn’t even write in a straight line (pg.120)”. I believe he felt challenged to the point of desperation, which resulted in him copying the entire dictionary. I agree with him that being able to read and understand is important when learning how to read and write. He was interested in books that involved slavery. Malcom X’s passion was filled with anger as he learned, “Over 115 million African blacks – close to the 1930s population of the U.S. – were murdered or enslaved during the slave trade (pg.124).” He uses the term “devil” to describe white men when interacting with non-white men. This made me question why throughout history, America has involved itself with other countries when it is not exactly necessary. He goes on and explains that prison has benefited his education more than a college would. “In fact, prison enabled me to study far more intensively than I would have if my life had gone differently and I had attended some college. I imagine that one of the biggest troubles with colleges is there are too many distractions, too much panty – raiding, fraternities, and boola – boola and all of that (pg.126).” This quote is hilarious in the sense that it conveys, in all honesty the truth about how awful distractions may be. I believe distractions in college is inevitable to avoid, which makes it all the more depressing how a prison has benefited Malcom X more than an academic institution would. However, I do not believe prison is the answer for students who are seeking an excellent education. The goal is to focus and preserve harder and for Malcom X, prison was the answer for him. The statement about his education on page 126 is one of my favorite quotes since I read this passage.
- “Past Experiences”
Erika J. Petersen’s interest relates to Malcom X’s literary experience because she believed one’s previous experiences with reading and writing influences their attitudes towards it. She researched the effect of praise vs. discouragement towards reading and writing developments, upon a large age range of individuals from the ages of 11 to 44. I absolutely agree with her that children are sensitive towards doing what is right or wrong. If an adult or critic is too harsh the child will feel “less able”. This is why Petersen stresses on the significance of delicacy in education. Malcom X recalled that his teacher said that because of his race he could not accomplish his goals. He put his anger and desperation into reading and writing every single day for almost 15 hours. Interest is also important because in Petersen’s research, only one person enjoyed what she read and wrote in school. This was most likely because she saw good grades as a requirement rather than an accomplishment since she was expected in her family to succeed. However, although the rest of the students did well, they did not find what they learned relevant to their lives. They wrote what was expected of them and not what they really thought. Ironically, Petersen concluded that, “During a good portion of our schooling, we’re learning how to write the kinds of papers that we would never use in our everyday lives. Yet the experiences we have while learning how to write those kinds of papers can discourage us from reading and writing throughout the rest of our lives (pg.196).” This conveys how ironic it was that Malcom X was strictly criticized for being incompetent in reading and writing, yet most people do not even use the type of papers that we write in school in their futures. Malcom X could have decided on a different academic pathway which did not involve an advance level of reading and writing, but he became passionate in the subject. He found his interest in slavery and rebelled against the stereotypes that withheld his abilities. In conclusion, some people may quit all together if they are discouraged, but others may go against their criticism and that is how they are influenced.