For me personally, I can somewhat relate to Malcolm, obviously not to the drug abuse part (i mean this is jen talking lol) but definitely to the way in which he creates layers by using drugs for example, to prevent people from viewing his vulnerability or who he really is. i too can definitely admit that i try to make everything on the outside appear put-together to build enough of a blockade so people can not have a peek into the stress, sadness, or difficulties i may be going through at a specific time. But, when i get home, my facade definitely comes off and i am able to really get out what i am feeling by talking to my family. Unfortunately this is what malcolm lacks. he tries to appear invincible with the help of drugs but never really discovers a place to take off his fake persona, and show who he really is. so, i am really thankful to have such a supportive family who put up with my moods and stress on a daily basis...love you guys! <3.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
post #1 malcolm's drug abuse.
From chapters seven to ten, the complexity of Malcolm's psychological composition had been revealed. To begin, I feel as though I can't figure out who he really is yet because there seems to be so many layers of his psyche that disable me to pull them apart enough to reach his core. While he was hustling in Harlem, it was quite interesting for me to read about how all of his different schemes were planned and put into action, yet I couldn't quite make out his persona while he was undergoing all of these schemes. He seemed to be a blur of sly intelligence that was constantly on drugs to a dangerous extent. I could see how his body was reacting to the drugs, which made it harder to make out who Malcolm was. It seemed as though he began to be twisted and molded into a new person that consisted of bits and pieces of all the new people he was meeting like Sammy and Ruby. Since his dependency on drugs was such an intense focus, I browsed through the online version of the New York Times for an article called, "Drug Abuse", and discovered that dependency of drugs for young people is a process that has several stages. These stages consist of, "experimental use, regular use, daily preoccupation, and dependence" ("Drug Abuse"). The stage especially emphasized within the autobiography was the "daily preoccupation" because the description of this stage is, "the user engages in secretive behavior; may begin dealing drugs to help support habit" ("Drug Abuse"). This obviously explains Malcolm's intense desire to gamble and begin to burgle homes of innocent victims, as well as his need to become a peddler of marijuana. Also, the scariest part for me to read was when Malcolm was fooling around with his gun and scaring Sophia, Ruby, and Shorty because he, "...grinned at them. All of their mouths had flapped open. I pulled the trigger--we all heard click" (Haley 146). Once I had read that, I was fully convinced that Malcolm was mentally disturbed and totally overtaken by the drugs in which he was so addicted to. No one sane ever jokes about shooting themselves in the head with a real gun unless they have completely lost it.
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6 comments:
Jen, I completely agree with everything you wrote in your blog, especially the part about Malcolm holding the gun up to his head. It is not funny to joke about those things at all, and it does show that he is completely insane. I was a little confused about how the gun "clicked," but nothing happened. I also think that his drug abuse shows Malcolm's insecurities and weaknesses.
Hi Jen,
I like your writing style--you make me laugh with your verbosity at times!:) I also like how you describe Malcolm as a "blur" during this point--apt metaphor. Now add your own personal feelings, beliefs, observations, etc. here to make this more "deep!"
i agree with kimberly and yuma on what you said in your blog. his drug abuse has turned into his lifestyle and he basically had to do drugs to live. reacting to kimberly's comment on the gun clicking, i thought it meant that whether the gun had a bullet or not, he was not afraid to die or show it. the drug abuse does show how malcolm lost his route in life.
Hey Jen!
I totally agree 100% with everything that you wrote in your blog. We all know how crazy Malcolm has become because of his constant drug abuse. It is crazy and scary to think of quickly drugs can take over your life. Luckily we find out later on that Malcolm stops abusing drug and cuts them out of his life completely. We all know that if he continued doing drugs he would have died much sooner. It was interesting to read all the stages of drug abuse you mentioned and to see how Malcolm was going through them all. I also really liked your personal connection. I can totally relate to it and know exactly what you were talking about. I often find myself guilty of the same tactics when I am around friends, but once I get home I can just let out how I am feeling and feel much better. Nice blog! xox
Yo JENNNNNYYYY,
I agree that Malcolm X's drug use has turned him insane. Only an insane person would be willing to put a gun to his head and pull the trigger. This part of the autobiography made me realize how unstable Malcolm had become due to the drugs. I enjoyed comparing how Malcolm acted to the symptoms you provided in the blogs because I was able to see all of the symptoms from the actions he took. I find it ironic how later in his life, Malcolm X attempts to save the "brainwashed blacks" from the white society when he himself was one of the "brainwashed blacks" in his teenage years.
I'd also like to add that I am right there with you when it comes to hiding how I truly feel when I am around friends. I may appear as a cheerful, friendly, great, special, amazing person on the outside but it's all an appearance Jen...it's all an appearance.
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