Jeffrey Kim's Wordle

Malcolm X vs. Langston Hughes: "Identity"

The topic that both Malcolm X in Hair and Langston Hughes in Theme for English B are talking about is the subject of identity. However, the views of each person on the definition of “identity” are very different, despite the fact that they are both African Americans. In Hair, Malcolm X talks about his experience of getting a “conk,” a hairstyle trend that many white boys had, and how he realized a long time afterward, that his desire to get a conk was a form of self-degradation. He had realized that by getting the conk, he had submitted to the white culture and considered the African American culture to be inferior to the white culture. Thus, Malcolm X, defined “identity” as an ethnicity.

            But, in Theme for English B, Langston Hughes shows us a very different view on “identity.” First of all, I think Langston Hughes considers whites and blacks to be the same American people. Towards the end of the poem he states, “You are white- yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American.” (Hughes 31-33) Therefore, Langston Hughes doesn’t think “identity” is a matter of where you are from and what color your skin is, but something else. In the beginning and end of the poem, Langston Hughes describes himself a lot. He talks about where he lives, how Harlem has affected his culture, and what he likes to do. These are the types of things that Langston Hughes believes create an identity. Langston Hughes considers every aspect of a person’s life to conform that individual’s identity. This can also be seen from the line, “I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races.” (Hughes 25-26) Thus, Hughes believes that there is nothing that’s normal or liked in some cultures that shouldn’t be liked or accepted in other cultures. He only views people as human beings, not “blacks” or “whites” or “Asians”, but just people, who might have common things that they share, but very different things as well. But, those things that each person shares and doesn’t share are the elements that conform an “identity.” 

After reading the biography

Malcolm X’s biography did not alter my understanding of the story, but it gave me a better understanding of the episode that he talked about. After reading the biography I could predict Malcolm X’s age, situation, and beliefs at the time he got the “conk” and when he regretted getting the “conk” because the description of Malcolm X’s change in beliefs provided a reason for his actions and realizations. After a very successful Middle School career, a teacher who said black people could not become lawyers crushed Malcolm X’s high hopes. This particular period of his life is most likely to be the time when Malcolm X got his “conk” because he would’ve been ashamed of his own identity and could’ve seriously believed that black people were inferior to white people. However, after being released from jail, Malcolm X converted to the Muslim religion and learned about the cultural and ethnic acceptance all Islamic believers provided for one another, and I predict that this time period of “enlightenment” was probably the time when Malcolm X realized that getting the “conk” was an action of low self-esteem and self-degradation. 

Purpose of altering the tone

In Malcolm X’s memoir, Hair, Malcolm X makes a sudden change in tone at the end of the memoir. In this anecdote, Malcolm X described his experience of getting a “conk” (straightened hair) that many white males did at the time. The process delivered excruciating pain, but very stylish hair, which Malcolm X appreciated very deeply at the time. However, in the last two paragraphs of the story, Malcolm X talks about his realizations after this event and expresses his regret towards his actions and admits that he was brainwashed into believing that black people were considered inferior to white people. He considers his actions of getting a “conk” through the painful process was an act of self-degradation and could not believe he harmed his God-created body, in efforts to hide his identity.

By making this sudden change in tone, readers feel the clear distinction of how Malcolm X felt when he got the “conk” and many years afterwards when he regretted getting it. Malcolm X’s last paragraph of the memoir totally contradicted his emotions and reactions during the rest of the memoir and this technique emphasized Malcolm X’s finishing statements.