From: slater@phx.mcd.mot.com (Rob Slater)
Subject: A Review of Malcolm X
Summary: A movie review of the Spike Lee film, "Malcolm X".
Keywords: Spike Lee Malcolm X movie
Organization: Motorola Computer Group, Tempe, Az.
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 21:32:52 GMT

               A Review of the Spike Lee Movie "Malcolm X"

Spike Lee's latest work is a 3 1/2 hour expose on Malcolm X.  I will
attempt to summarize the movie and discuss the issues that it presents as
it relates to Jews.

This note will deal with the actual movie.  Despite that I am no movie
critic, I will make a feeble attempt at reviewing the movie.  In my next
note, "On Malcolm X" I will discuss some of the issues that the movie
examines.

But first a kevtch.  Did it have to be so long?  Lee appeared on Larry King
and said to present the life of Malcolm X in only 2 1/2 hours would be a
travesty.  Fair enough.  But there could have at least been an
intermission.  End of my kevtch.

Over all, the movie was a very powerful portrayal of one of America's
misunderstood citizens.  I actually studied Malcolm X's life a few years
ago.  I wanted to know more about this man that many African-Americans have
rallied behind.  After reading his autobiography (which Lee based his movie
on) and several of his speeches, I felt I had a good idea of who this man
was.

Nonetheless, there is something about having him coming to life in front of
your eyes (albeit through the body of Denzel Washington).  I felt that I
had a reasonable understanding of the man, but nonetheless, I learned about
the man and his philosophy through the movie.

For those of you who do not know who Malcolm X is or much about him,
Malcolm was a leader in the civil rights movement in the early 60s.  He was
a Black Muslim and a follower of Elijah Muhammad.  He helped build up the
Nation of Islam (now run by the notorious Louis Farrakan).  Later he became
disenfranchised with Elijah and the Nation.

He was tragically assassinated in Harlem on February 21, 1965 by several
African-Americans.  Some say they were under the pay of the National of
Islam.  Others say the government.  We will probably never know.

The movie starts with Malcolm's early years.  The son of a Baptist
preacher, he was soon orphaned because his father was brave enough to stand
up to (and shoot at) the Klan.  A child welfare organization broke up his
family.  Malcolm went to a boarding school.  He was a very successful
student.  He became class president and aspired to become a lawyer.  But
his school master put an end to that.  He suggested that Malcolm X become a
carpenter instead.

Later on, Malcolm X was a numbers runner for a crime gang in Harlem.  He
dated a white girl named Sophia.  After a disagreement with his boss, he
fled for his life in Boston.  There he robbed a senior citizen of all of
his possessions.  He was later caught.  He was sentenced to a minimum of 10
years.

While in prison, he met Ernie Baines.  There he learned about black
nationalism and Islam.  He started corresponding with Elijah Muhammad.  By
the time he was released, he had become quite an accomplished Moslem.  When
he was released, he went straight to Chicago to meet with Elijah himself.

He quickly rose in prominence in the Nation of Islam.  Starting as a street
preacher and winding up as the Nation's star minister, Malcolm X proclaimed
Elijah's message of hate and division perfectly.

He called other more moderate Black leaders "Toms" (a reference to the main
character in the book "Uncle Tom's Cabin".  Uncle Tom is considered by many
African-Americans to be a sell out to whites).  He also regularly referred
to all white people as devils (and yes, he made it clear, ALL white
people).  He even threw in some antisemitic remarks for good measure.

All was good and well until Malcolm discovered that Nation of Islam and
Elijah Muhammad did not meet the standards they had set for others.
Malcolm X also was tangled up in a power struggle in the Nation.  These two
events caused him to leave.

Malcolm X formed his own Black Muslim organization.  He immediately tried
to separate himself from Elijah and the Nation of Islam.  He no longer
chastised other African-American leaders and even invited whites to support
his organization (more on this in my next note).  He went to Egypt and
Mecca and learned that all men (all Muslims at least) were equal and that
the politics of race were the politics of hate.

He came back and started to form another Black Muslim organization.  It was
at this point that he urged African-Americans to arm and defend themselves
by "any means necessary."  But Malcolm was quick to add that defense does
not mean attack.

Upon his return to America, his past came to haunt him as well.  His house
was attacked.  He immediately blamed the Nation of Islam.  Later he stopped
blaming the Nation because he was convinced that they were not acting
alone.  And finally, just as he was about to give a speech defining his new
Black Muslim organization, he was assassinated.

So, what is in it for Jews?  Nothing, directly.  But the movie will serve
at least two purposes.  One, it will clear up a lot of misconceptions about
Malcolm X's life.

But the second reason is more important.  By portraying Black nationalism,
the movie allows us to examine Jewish nationalism.  Malcolm's preacher
father urges African-Americans to go back home to Africa.  Is this so
different than what the Zionists urge Jews to do?  Malcolm loves Blacks
because of who they are.  Is this so different that many Jewish leaders?
Malcolm urges Blacks to form their own economic cooperatives -- Blacks
helping Blacks.  Is this so different from the Jewish community's special
requirements on businesses it frequents (i.e. kashrut, schnatz-free cloths,
shomer shabbos stores)?

In fact, it is fairly easy to draw parallels between the movie Malcolm X
and the call for Jewish nationalism.  Just replace African-Americans with
Jews.  Africa with Israel.  Islam with Judaism.  Mecca with Jerusalem
during one of the four pilgrimage holidays.  And Malcolm X with Kahane or
your favorite Jewish leader.

Perhaps Malcolm X will encourage some Jews in Hollywood to make a movie on
Kahane.  No, I think will be a long time before we see a movie on Jewish
nationalism.  Can you say "shanda fur der goyim"?

Until then, I would strongly encourage you to go see this powerful movie.
Despite that your knees will be sore after sitting in a cramped movie
theater for 3 hours and 21 minutes, it is really worth it.

Kol tuv,
-- 
 Rob Slater                                     | "Real events do not have
 Lead Software Engineer -- Core Technologies    |  endings;  only  stories
 Motorola Computer Division                     |  about them do"
 Internet: slater@phx.mcd.mot.com               |    -- Peter Galvin
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish