C 5 Discusses Malcolm X by Matt Wilk Revolutionary
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c 5 Discusses Malcolm X by Matt Wilk revolutionary. Though he asserted that whether the film's $40 million budget reasoned argument. In between these Before a crowd of approximately 150 both Malcolm and Guevara "died in the could have been put toward more ben- blurbs of radicalism, however, Kelley people in Rackham Assembly Hall, the full splendor of revolution," he failed to eficial ends. Such a sum certainly could brought to light an important concern Center for Afro-American and African detail how and when their respective fund vast amounts of vocational training about the movie - that Lee did not ex- Studies (CAAS) last Friday held a "revolutions" took place. Such ambigu and numerous scholarships for minori- pose the whole Malcolm for public view. roundtable discuS8ion on the film Malcolm ity detracted· from what could have been ties with limited access to educational Asserting that the movie should be X. The panel featured seven speakers a fascinating analogy. resources. Investing money in such pro- praised, not nitpicked, Jaarni Mohammed who gathered to discuss both Malcolm X Laurita Kaigler, the second speaker, grams rather than a movie might have opposed Harris and Kelley. After start- the film and Malcolm X the possessed perhaps the been a more cretain, not to mention more ing his speech with praises of Allah, man, and for anyone with greatest potential to add palpable means of achieving Lee's ap- Mohammed commended Lee for mak- enough patience to sift substantial insight to the parently ultimate ends. ing the movie. In the next 15 minutes, through the radical rheto discussion of the film, since James Chaffers, a U-M professor in Mohammed raised both his voice and ric that characterized the she had served as an intern CAAS and Architecture, spoke next. Al- the intensity of his criticism of those who discussion, the panel for Forty Acres and a Mule though he appeared to have some diffi- attack either the movie or its mclker. brought to light an interesting conflict Productions (Spike Lee's film company) culty articulating his thoughts, Chaffers_. ..--'-- The roundtable discussion as a whole between those who believe that the film during the filming of Malcolm X. She made it clear through his effuse praise of was poorly managed. Speakers had to should be celebrated, and those who think began by commending Lee's ability to Lee that he had been inspired by the film. stand and voice their comments loudly otherWise. motivate and manage the thousands of He ended his speech with the assertion for lack of microphones, and at one po,int Craig Watkins, a U-M graduate in people who worked on the film, and later that "being a radical means to be at the the discussion had to be stopped so people sociology who served as moderator, offered her insight into the trouble that heart or essence of things," a sentiment who arrived late' could find places to guided the panel by outlining discussion stand. themes which included the organization The discussion itself was not as free of a "narrative" on the film, an analYSis of On reflection, one might question whether the film's $40 . and open as Watkins had hoped, either. production aspects of the film, a debate million budget could have been put toward more beneficial Although the serrunar was intended to over the commodification of Malcolm X, develop into an active discussion with and a re-thinkingof who X really was. ends. Such a sum certainly could fund vast amounts of the audience, the' few questions asked Although not all of the speakers lim vocational training and numerous scholarships for were factual in nature and did not spark ited their remarks to these topics, they minorities with limited access to educational resources. any debate. Despite these deficiencies, did present two schools of thought about however, the panel did manage to pro th e movie. While some felt that Malcolm vided an interesting analysis 'of the X, in order to be considered historical, Lee encountered in obtaining sufficient he did not bother to explain. Malcolm X phenomenon. should be criticized in the same manner funding to produce the film. Duchess Harris, a graduate student that other movies are criticized, others During the filming of Malcolm X, she who is devoting her dissertation to a Matt Wilk is a junior in political science felt it should be praised unquestionably explained, Lee found it difficult to secure comparison between Malcolm X and Alex and a staff writer for the Review. as a triumph of black ,culture. the $40 million necessary to cover his Haley's Autobiography of Malcolm X, be The first speaker, Robert Chrisman, production costs. After exhausting his gan her criticism of the film by noting its a lecturer in both the English Depart allowance from Warner Brothers, he ap deletion and/ or alteration of some of the ment and CAAS at the U-M, began his proached and received funds from a bond female characters in the book. She felt diatribe by proclaiming the movie a "re company, but that alone was not suffi that Lee may have white-washed the markable achievement." He also noted cient to cover the remainder of his costs. negativity of Malcolm's misogyny As a result, through a less-than-verist cinematic por Lee was trayal. Neither Harris nor her fellow pan Duchess Harris felt that Lee may have white forced to elists, however, addressed the criticism washed the negativity of Malcolm's misogyny dip into his that some of Malcolm's comments and through a less-than-verist cinematic portrayal. ow npo c ideas - both those presented in the movie ket. When it and those which Lee chose to omit - ~-----,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," becameevi may be construed as racist or anti-Semitic. that the film seemed to possess a Chris dent that even personal funding would The discussion took on a decidedly New Music Guide tian sub-text, although in terms of reli not suffice, he solicited funding from propagandistic tone when U-M CAAS gious content, it dealt with Malcolm's wealthy members of the entertainment Professor Robin Kelley spoke. Kelley Gov't Gridlock conversion to Islam. community, including Michael Jackson, mixed legitimate questions about the Chrisman then began a tangential Michael Jordan and Bill Cosby, and was movie with questionable allegations that I Bauhaus Reunion? 7 explanation of the assertion that Malcolm finally able to obtain the required finan capitalism, wage labor, and democracy I was a "brother in revolution~' to Che cial backing. are undesirable, none of which he appar- I Crusty's Comer 8 Guevara, a Latin American communist On reflection, one might question ently found necessary to support with I t ",--<-, >,- " " -~-.- , ,.,,~~ .. -,-.~- - ,, ,,~--,.-~ .,, - ~,,, ~~ ,.' .. ,. ....... ".,.,.,. ,-~-"'... ,.I'.~ ~ < -'" , "'''''' ,,_ _ ,_ _ _ .,__ ___ .-,._._ 2 THE MICHIGAN REVIEW December 9, 1992 . ~ THE Serpent's Tootli -,' MICIDGAN REVIEW "One thing I've learned as a university owner of Slutco. You decide. Madonna play dumb; C) They claim there never The Campus Affairs Journal president is my political views tend to added that Bush is a "bigoted, narrow would be starving P 'ople in Somalia if it of the take a sort of chameleon-tone," U-M minded fascist." The U-M obviously weren't for Rea&an; D) They neglect to University of Michigan President James J. Duderstadt recently taught her well. answer the question altogether; or E) All remarked. What a coincidence! Bill of the above. Clinton is discovering the same thing! Media harlot Magic Johnson is trying to We are the Establishment sell his $6 million Beverly Hills home in Top ten "sound" liberal arguments: Anyone interested in establishing an or order to buy anew one. According to his 10 Everything is relative, unless it both Editor-in-Chief Adam DeVore ganization called CHAP AC (Constitu real estate broker, Barbara Robinson, "He ers me, in which case it should be tional Harassment Awareness, Preven just needs a little more space, bedroom banned. Publisher Karen S. Brinkman tion, and Advisory Center)? We could wise." Silly us. We thought he already 9 That's so callous! This is about people, militantly decry the blatant disregard for learned his lesson. not money. Executive Editors Andrew Bockelman our constitutional rights demonstrated 8 That isn't fair. Don't blame the victim. Joe Coletti Tony Ghecea by Vice President for Student Services Who says Democrats love government 7 You're examining the problem from Maureen Hartford and six of the regents. red tape? We've just been told that Slick an overly-academic perspective. Contributing EditorS Beth Martin But then again, this is the U-M. They Willie has already reduced the Internal 6 You're not qualified to comment. Jay D. McNeill would probably pander to us by creating Revenue Service's Form 1040 for income You're a part of the power structure. Tracy Robinson a new office, like the Dean of Students taxes to two steps. First, write in how S Can't you reactionaries think of any Stacey L Walk~r Harassed by Irreverence for Truth. much money you made last year. Then thing else to talk about? all you have to do is send it all in. 4 You have no right to be upset over Music Editor Chris Peters Here's a ponderous question: Once stu (program.in question) since society Literary Editor Adam Garagiola Graphics Editor Will Ryan dents are prosecuted under the State Question: What do military-loathing lib has an obligation to help (group in ment of Student Rights and ResponSibili erals do when the military is used for a question). Assistant Editors Ryan Boeskool ties, and after they crush the U-M in beneficent purpose like helping to feed 3 You conservatives just don't get it.