malcolm x post 6 (graded #3)

When Malcolm is in prison, he becomes frustrated that he is unable to express what he wants to convey in his letters.  So, Malcolm starts reading books from the prison library. He eventually becomes completely engrossed in reading tons of books.  The most important book that Malcolm can get his hands on is a dictionary.  When Malcolm learns all of these words that he didn't know even existed you can tell he feels like someone who just rode their bike for the first time without training wheels... a huge accomplishment.  

I can completely relate to Malcolm talking about reading non-stop and being engaged in such a good book that he cannot put down.  I think just like drugs used to be Malcolm's way to get high and forget about everything going on, reading books is now in the place of his drugs.  One of the best feelings is how you can be so involved in a book that it can make you forget about everything that is going on and you are able to place yourself into the novel.  Like I previously mentioned, any hobby that interests you, reading in Malcolm's case, can be one of the best remedies in saving  yourself. Reading is not only a way for Malcolm to educate himself and pass time while he is in prison, but it opens up a new world for him.  Malcolm clearly makes you understand how he is feeling when reading because he says whether it was in the library or in his bunk, he always had a book in his hands.  And even when it was time for lights out, he continued to read with the glow from the corridor light.  I know that when I am feeling stressed and just need to escape from everything for a little while, I can turn to music.  Once I hear that song I am in the mood for, I can't help myself from singing and sometimes even dancing.  It just totally transforms my frame of mind and makes me feel a whole lot better =D 

So, below is an article that was very inspiring to me.  It is about how music saved this guy's life, whom seemed to relate extremely well to Malcolm in my opinion.  He was in a gang and he states that if he was not saved from music, his life would have been ruined.  In comparison to how reading saved Malcolm.  Also this article talks about how important music is and how music education should be enforced more in schools.

http://contrapuntist.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/how-music-saved-my-life-and-why-music-education-should-be-taken-more-seriously/