How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #7
And the way most Negroes feel today, a mixed couple probably finds that black families, black communities, are even more hostile than the white ones. So what's bound to face "integrated" marriages, except being unwelcomed, unwanted, "misfits" in whichever world they try to live in? What we arrive at is that "integration," socially, is no good for either side. "Integration," ultimately, would destroy the white race . . . and destroy the black race. (15.62)
What do you think of this argument? It seems to us that Malcolm is not looking at the real problem. Is the real problem integration and mixed race marriages? Or is it the hostility of both black and white people to interracial marriage?
Quote #8
Anyway, I'd never seen anyone I ever spoke to before more affected than this little white college girl. She demanded, right up in my face, "Don't you believe there are any good white people?" I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I told her, "People's deeds I believe in, Miss—not their words." "What can I do?" she exclaimed. I told her, "Nothing." She burst out crying, and ran out and up Lenox Avenue and caught a taxi. (15.129)
This scene comes after Malcolm X explains that he believes the integration of white people into black activist groups often diminishes their effectiveness. So what does he expect them to do? Nothing.
Quote #9
That morning was when I first began to reappraise the "white man." It was when I first began to perceive that "white man," as commonly used, means complexion only secondarily; primarily it described attitudes and actions. In America, "white man" meant specific attitudes and actions toward the black man, and toward all other non-white men. (17.76)
We just thought it was cool that Malcolm X finally realized that race is a social construct. That's all.