I am not sure that I understand how this particular thread got started, but
I would like other subscribers to know that there are schools which use the
autobiography of Malcolm X in U.S. History classes and that it can be used
effectively.
I teach at a private, college preparatory school, a school from which
virtually 100% of the graduates go on to attend colleges and universities.
I also teach in an interdisciplinary American Civilization program. In the
context of our program, the autobiography of Malcolm X is assigned by our
English teachers, who then receive strong support from the U.S. History
teachers. The book is a fine example of the way in which autobiographies
are not objective renderings of historical reality, but rather subjective
renderings designed to show the author in a favorable light. Since our U.S.
History program includes a strong component in African American history, our
students are well equipped to place the autobiography of Malcolm X in
historical context. A U.S. History course that does not have a strong
African American history component and in which the students are not well
equipped to analyze autobiographies would not be able to use this book
effectively.
Carl Schulkin
Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City, MO
chulkin@TYRELL.NET
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(Editor's Note)
Those who think that Malcom X's Biography is not effective in class,
I would love to hear your responses to Carl's comment above.
Yone