“Between Mr. Muhammad’s teachings, my correspondence, my visitors—usually Ella and Reginald—and my readings of books, months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life.”
“Where else but in prison could I have attacked my ignorance by being able to study intensely sometimes as much as fifteen hours a day?”
I just find it so fascinating that Malcolm X could feel so free even though he was in prison. And I can’t imagine reading 15 hours a day. Interestingly these passages made me think of Facebook. People spend hours on Facebook, and some people are very free about what they post. What do you think it means to be free? Do you think Facebook allows people to feel free? Or do you think it just gives people the sensation that they are free? Can you think of other ways social media makes people feel?
It's interesting that you brought this up. As much as Facebook is a flexible tool, I don't think that it makes people 100% free. There is still that shady feeling you get knowing you are out there in cyber space and anyone can find you. Social media is beneficial to an extent, but I don't think it creates freedom in any major way, and I certainly don't use it with that in mind.
ReplyDeleteI don't use Facebook with freedom in mind either. I'm not someone who posts different statuses throughout the day, and I definitely don't spend hours on it at a time. I'm also pretty careful about what I post (or I try to be anyway).
DeleteThis is a very interesting post! I found the Malcolm X piece fascinating as well;in fact, I think it was my favorite reading this semester. I'm glad you brought up Facebook because its such a dominating social media today. I agree with Alex that although you have the ability to write and post whatever you would like,I don't think its completely free. Just today I read an article (can't remember the name) that said one in four people lie on Facebook. That makes me think-if Facebook is supposed to be a "free" environment, then why do so many people feel the need to lie on it? I think part of has to do with the fact that a lot of people want to feel accepted by their 'Facebook friends' so they write things people find 'acceptable' or 'exciting?'(not sure if I'm using the right word here). To sum up my rambling, I think 'Facebook' and other forms of social media makes people feel more in control then 'free.' Just a thought :)
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteI don't think living your life in the public allows people to be free. Your behavior is always being watched by others, all your personal info is just out there. I don't see how we can feel free without a sense of privacy. I loved how Malcolm X proved that you can be productive no matter what environment you're living in (with the exception of extreme cases). I believe people will feel free when they stop trying to fit in and start doing what really makes them happy or feel fulfilled. Chances are, they are not accomplishing this goal spending hours on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be on to something. In some sense, Facebook does the exact opposite; it’s like it gives some people a false sense of freedom. The reality is that people are really trapped and may even be missing out on real life. Of course this generalization doesn’t apply to everyone.
DeleteThe Toyota commercial—that I mentioned in my response to one of your posts—suggests this notion of missing out. I’m adding this video to this post :)