From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Upcoming movies (Malcolm X)
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 18:38:36 GMT

In article <716389680.F00001@mcws.fidonet.org> Eduard.Marghidan@f836.n102.z1.fidonet.org (Eduard Marghidan) writes:
>
(Quotes out of sequence to show parallelism)

> MH> We have the fortunate distinction of 20-20 hindsight on history.  I
> MH> think it is extremely presumptious (sp?) that we would "do the right
> MH> thing" in Columbus' time.  I would never envision myself as a "slaver"
[....]
>Are we so cut off from the past that
>nothing in the past is relevant? Perhaps you should consider the
>possibility of NOT knowing about the past as a road towards a new
>civilization?

Doesn't seem to be what was said.  After all, there's a difference between
ignoring history and admitting that recorded history cannot be expected
to be anywhere near 100% accurate or complete.  Heck, information passed
between any three people in a week gets screwed up and filtered.  Today's
news is often sketchy and incomplete and frequently "objective" reports
are colored by the reporter and the currently-fashionable way to get
ratings.

[....]
> MH> but who knows in those times.  Yes, yes, it is still wrong.  I also
> MH> don't hold Malcolm X in contempt for his early beliefs either.  I
> MH> do question Spite Lee's intention in his films.  He should know
> MH> better.  If he personifies Malcolm X as an extension of his own
> MH> being, he will do a great disservice to Malcolm X, his family, and
[....]
>Why do you say that Malcolm X can't be a modern "extension" or metaphor
>of fighter for human rights? 

Doesn't sound like that's what was said.  Was it?

[....]
> MH> history.  As for Columbus, the disease that was brought forward to
> MH> this continent was the real killer in my view.  There is no possible
> MH> way the european man could settle in the western hemisphere had
> MH> the indian populace not been decimated by disease that was 
> MH> unknown in this hemisphere at the time.  If you read some of the 
> MH> first hand accounts of the human sacrifices of the "civilized"
> MH> indians that Cortez met, in the original spanish, AND knowing 
> MH> the religious zealotry of the times, it is conceivable of the 
> MH> outcome as it happened.   Our vision of history is illusive at
> MH> best, but it is all we have.  To say that the indian account is
> MH> more correct than the european account is equally flawed.  
>
>So what if indians had sacrifices? They had never fought wars. They had

They had never fought wars?  Could you clarify this?

>never used fire weapons. Of course, the disease destroyed them...

Fire weapons are a question of level of technology.  I'm not sure
if this is relevant to your point.  Could you clarify this as well?

>I found your message interesting, but somewhat sketchy. I'd like to hear
>more about your thoughts on these issues.
>Eduard
>
>eduard@mcws.fidonet.org
>
>... It is a rather pleasant experience to be alone in a bank at night.

I was a bank guard for several years.  It's really not that great.
Particularly if you're with a partner who practices quick-draws in the
mirror with a loaded weapon.
>
> * Origin: The Xaqute BBS (818)980-2685 (1:102/836.0)


GMS
Xref: sparky rec.arts.movies:27532 alt.cult-movies:7821