1) “if violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to

1) “if violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to publish us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to publish us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.” — Speech, November 1963, New York City Question A: Consider the logic in this statement. If Malcolm X believed the Vietnam War was wrong, would that mean he believed all violence was wrong? If he believed it was not right to publish Americans to fight in the nation’s defense abroad, would it be right to “do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.” Question B: Does self-defense always require violence? Can you protect or defend yourself and others without perpetrating violence? 2) “They called me “the angriest Negro in America.” I wouldn’t deny that charge. I spoke exactly as I felt. “I believe in anger. The Bible says there is a time for anger.” They called me “a teacher, a fomenter of violence.” I would say point blank, “ at is a lie. I’m not for wanton violence, I’m for justice. I feel that if white people were attacked by Negroes—if the forces of law prove unable, or inadequate, or reluctant to protect those Whites from those Negroes—then those white people should protect and defend themselves from those negroes, using arms if necessary. And I feel that when the law fails to protect negroes from Whites’ attack, then those negroes should use arms, if necessary, to defend themselves.” (The Autobiography of Malcolm X, chapter 19, 1965) Question A: What distinction does this statement make between violence and justice? Are there differences between demanding justice, advocating self-defense and condoning violence? If so, what are they? Question B: Do you think hearing Malcolm X’s anger necessarily made people want to commit violence? Why or why not?

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