Blind Conformity: Malcolm X :: essays research papers

Blind Conformity Malcolm XIn todays world it is a great deal difficult to adjust to one type oflifestyle or another. The constant bombardment of outside opinions hamper ourability, as humans, to choose and be comfortable with a certain way of living.Our way of living may consist of a look, a way of thinking, a religion, or anyfacet of our personalities that may not conform with whatever is the norm or theaccepted at a given time. When this is the case, we sometimes feel forced tochange, thus we are susceptible to art conformity. The word conformity comesfrom the Latin words con, which means with or unitedly, and forma, which meansto shape or mold. Therefore, dim conformity is actually a molding ofourselves together with what is said to be normal in society instead of usingour differences to enhance ourselves as humans. Known for having strongopinions, Malcolm X seems to be an unlikely victim of blind conformity. However,as shown in his essay, My First Conk, Malcolm X, in fact, was victimized by thismalignant disease. Straightening black hair, though, is just one impulse thatis bought on by blind conformity. Changing ones self to look or behave likeanother because it is more desired by the exoteric is due to a disregarding of ones self-claimed morals and values, an over emphasis of the media and outsideopinions, and an insecurity which most of us unfortunately have.In My First Conk, Malcolm X assured that black people were creationbrainwashed to believe that they actually were inferior to white people, thusthey conked their hair. They were, essentially, giving up what they werefighting for as far as civil rights- the right to be who they were and also beaccepted by society. Therefore, the conking of their hair was a hypocrisy and acontradiction of all their morals and values. Blind conformity caused them todisregard their strongest beliefs which should be the most powerful drivingforces in all of our lives. If we can not depend on our own morals and valu es,our engines, to dictate our lives, we are simply exonerate vehicles being pusheddown lifes roads. Especially in todays society, there is a dire over emphasisof the media. Television and other types of media display certain lifestyles andideas and then the public automatically conforms. Having the media, which issomething so optional, control us is a reprehensible sacrilege. It isimperative that we learn to either admire or dislike an idea without feeling the deprivation to immerse ourselves so fully into it.