A Homemade Education Analysis

The consistent turtle wins the race against the sporadic rabbit, proving that being assiduous is a trait very often looked over. The rabbit’s natural talent is presumed to win a race against a “slow but steady” turtle, but is astonishingly defeated by his subordinate opponent with its striking determination. This idea of perseverance is displayed within the stories, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr., “Graduation” by Maya Angelou and “A Homemade Education” by Malcolm X. In both essays by Maya Angelou and Malcolm X; their strong desire for educational fulfillment overrides their inconvenient circumstances and they achieve their goals by standing up for their dreams. In addition, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. both
and Malcolm X creates time for them to examine the actions of white people and needed justice; this showing persistency as King Jr. expresses his reasoning for his activism in a letter and Malcolm X acknowledges the intense maltreatment the colored race is exposed to throughout history by whites. Martin Luther King Jr. fights for what he believes is morally correct, this is displayed in his writing: “We must come to see that, as the federal courts have consistently affirmed, it is wrong to urge an individual to cease his efforts to gain his basic constitutional rights because the quest may precipitate violence. Society must protect the robbed and punish the robber” (King Jr. 418). In King Jr.’s experience, he has devoted his time to campaign and spread his words on the lack of fairness given to the colored race. His isolation in jail is dedicated to his attempts at bettering his community and producing unification. This unethical decision made by local white officials is unlawful. Despite the inequitable situation, King Jr. strives through his position and acts on his beliefs. On the other hand, Malcolm X’s experience is dedicated towards advancing his literacy to better convey his messages to his leader Mr. Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm X’s influence is shown in this statement: “The teachings of Mr. Muhammad stressed how history had been “whitened”—when white men had written history books, the black man had simply been left out”
is an impediment which collapses with their continuous efforts to urge the importance of racial integration. Angelou reveals this in her diligence towards her childhood education and King Jr. stresses the need for equality in a cell block. Angelou displays her hard work in the statement: “Somewhere in my fatalism I had expected to die, accidentally, and never have the chance to walk up the stairs in the auditorium and gracefully receive my hard-earned diploma. Out of God’s merciful bosom I had won reprieve. ” (Angelou 79). Maya Angelou understood the world she was born into; a world surrounded with disparity of skin color. Her astonishing performance in school as a young girl, rewarded her with graduating as the top of her class; this assiduity she showed for learning is influenced by her desire of a greater future; one that eliminates inequality, and provides her with a successful life in her own skin. As for Martin Luther King Jr., being in jail does not end his efforts on ending racial discrimination. Oppositely, he makes the endeavor through a letter to clergymen, his certainty is shown in the quotation: “I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood. We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom” (King Jr. 423). Disregarding King Jr.’s unfair circumstance,