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Homework 1

Malcolm X describes the painful process of getting a conk in the 1950s. A conk involved straightening black hair using lye to emulate white hairstyles. Malcolm X wanted a conk to feel equal to whites, though it really symbolized accepting white superiority. He outlines the steps, which included using lye, eggs, and potatoes to chemically straighten the hair, showing the conk's self-degrading nature. While conks were once common, Malcolm X argues they still symbolize the degradation of black people accepting white dominance rather than celebrating their natural appearance.

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Homework 1

Malcolm X describes the painful process of getting a conk in the 1950s. A conk involved straightening black hair using lye to emulate white hairstyles. Malcolm X wanted a conk to feel equal to whites, though it really symbolized accepting white superiority. He outlines the steps, which included using lye, eggs, and potatoes to chemically straighten the hair, showing the conk's self-degrading nature. While conks were once common, Malcolm X argues they still symbolize the degradation of black people accepting white dominance rather than celebrating their natural appearance.

Uploaded by

peppieliz
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Elizabeth Anding Coolen Eng Comp 1 September 14, 2012

Comprehension (1-3) 1. What exactly is a conk? Why does Malcolm X want to get his hair conked? What does the conk symbolize to him at the time he gets it? What does it symbolize at the time he writes about it? Answer: A conk is a style of straight hair that was used by Negros as an attempt to imitate white hair styles. Malcolm X wants to get his hair conked because it will make him feel more equal to whites and he will achieve a level of cool. To him, it symbolizes his equality to white people. Now it shows that Negros have accepted that whites have a sort of superiority over them and it is their symbolic surrender to that theory. 2. List the materials Shorty asks Malcolm X to buy. Is the purpose of each explained? If so, where? Answer: Malcolm X was supposed to get the following; a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. One can of Red Devil lye Two eggs Two medium white potatoes A large jar of Vaseline A large bar of soap One large toothed comb One fine toothed comb A rubber hose with a metal spray head A rubber apron And a pair of gloves No, the purpose of each item is not explained. 3. Outline the major stages in the procedure Malcolm X describes. Are they presented in chronological order? Which, if any, of the major stages are out of place? Answer: a. Peel the two potatoes and thinly slice them into a quart mason jar. b. Gradually stir in about half of the can of lye into the jar with the potatoes until it is jelly-like and gloppy. c. Break the two eggs into the mixture and quickly stir it in.

Elizabeth Anding Coolen Eng Comp 1 September 14, 2012

d. Tie the apron snugly around the patients neck. e. Comb up all of the patients hair so that it is away from all areas of skin and thickly massage Vaseline through the hair. f. Thickly apply Vaseline to the patients neck and any areas of skin near the scalp and hairline. g. Put on the gloves and begin combing in the congolene until it is thoroughly applied and the patient cannot handle it anymore. h. Now THOROUGHLY rinse out the congolene until every trace of it is gone. i. Towel dry and style accordingly. Yes, all of the steps are in chronological order. Purpose & Audience (1-3) 1. Why was this selection written as a process explanation instead of as a set of instructions? Answer: A process explanation brings more personal meaning to how and why Malcolm X or any Negro would put themselves through the torment to get a conk. 2. This selection has an explicitly stated thesis that makes its purpose clear. What is this thesis? Answer: Negros should not aspire to resemble white people in any way because whites are not superior to Negros and a conk is a symbol of Negro submission to the theory of white superiority. 3. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1964, when many African Americans regularly straightened their hair. Is the thesis of this excerpt from the book still relevant today? Answer: According to Malcolm X, yes the thesis is still relevant today. Style & Structure (1-2) 1. Identify some of the transitional words Malcolm X uses to move from step to step? Answer: then, gradually, and lots of commas

Elizabeth Anding Coolen Eng Comp 1 September 14, 2012

2. Only about half of this selection is devoted to the process explanation. Where does the process begin? Where does it end? Answer: It starts in paragraph 2 and goes through the end of paragraph 21 Vocabulary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Vowed promised, made an oath Self-degradation the degrading of oneself Multitude multiple, many, several Mutilate destroy, ruin, mar until it is unrecognizable; destruction Slapstick hilarious or comedic Self-defacing self marring or destruction Downtrodden poor, terrible luck in life, down in the slumps Emblem a symbol that represents a person, family, business, or anything

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