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About this E-Seminar Dr. Manning Marable has created a Web-based learning experience that draws on his previous research concerning Malcolm X as well as his more recent work in conjunction with the Malcolm X Project housed in the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University. He has developed a stimulating online seminar that provides a road map to at least one aspect of future investigations of the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in twentieth-century American history. According to Professor Marable, the leaders who have come from a series of black political and social movements in the twentieth century represent very different personalities, organizational affiliations, and political ideologies. There is, however, one powerful model or tradition of leadership that has evolved within black political culture. To some extent, this tradition has been characterized by charismatic or dominating political style. A number of African American personalities have possessed a powerful, magnetic presence and the ability to articulate deeply held grievances and hopes among their people. Styles of charismatic leadership are amply represented in the lives of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and, of course, Malcolm X. The harsh material circumstances of black survival and struggle contributed to a merger of the secular and the spiritual, producing an approach to leadership best characterized as the "black messianic" style. Messianic leadership expressed itself as the ability to communicate effectively programs that in some measure represented the interests of most African Americans, while also constructing bonds of collective intimacy through appeals to the spirituality and religiosity among many African American people. And, the character of black leadership held Malcolm X at the forefront of the freedom struggle even after his death.
Our Faculty Author Manning Marable is Professor of History and Political Science, and Founding Director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University. Dr. Marable was the founding director of Colgate University's Africana and Hispanic Studies Program, from 1983 to 1986. He was Chairman of the Department of Black Studies at Ohio State University, from 1987 to 1989, and was also Professor of Ethnic Studies, History and Political Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1989 to 1993. Dr. Marable is the author of thirteen books, including-among others-Dispatches from the Ebony Tower: Intellectuals Confront the African American Experience (2000); Black Leadership (1998), Black Liberation in Conservative America (1997), Speaking Truth to Power: Essays on Race, Radicalism and Resistance (1996), Beyond Black and White (1995), The Crisis of Color and Democracy (1992), Race, Reform and Rebellion: The Second Reconstruction in Black America, 1945-1990 (1991), African and Caribbean Politics (1987), and W.E.B. Du Bois: Black Radical Democrat (1986). In January 1999, Dr. Marable initiated Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society, a new quarterly journal examining key theoretical issues within black America, Africa and the Caribbean. Since 1976, Dr. Marable has written "Along the Color Line," a syndicated commentary series on African-American politics and public affairs. Dr. Marable regularly appears on media programs such as NBC's "Today Show," ABC's "Weekend News," PBS, Fox Network News, C-Span, National Public Radio, the "Charlie Rose" show and BBC television and radio. Dr. Marable was a co-founder of the Black Radical Congress, a progressive coalition of African-American activists. He is a national co-chairperson of the Committees of Correspondence, a democratic socialist organization. Dr. Marable also donates much of his time with civil rights, labor, religious and social justice groups. In addition to his other activities, Manning Marable is Executive Director of the Malcolm X Project at Columbia University.
Content "Malcolm X: Life after Death" has three learning modules: "Too Black, Too Strong: Biographical Background of Malcolm X as a Black Cultural Icon" "(En)gendering Blackness: Black Women, Black Masculinity, and the Image of Malcolm X" "House Negroes vs. Field Negroes: Malcolm X, the Intellectuals, and the Black Middle Class" Each module has a number of sections intended to expand key ideas and concepts. If you wish to navigate through the site by focusing on a series of questions rather than in linear fashion, just access the "Query Map" and follow the directions. Dr. Marable's main text is supported by a number of features, including: Video Interviews. There are many video interviews scattered throughout this site. You will see Dr. Marable on many occasions; but, you will also hear what other prominent historians and cultural critics have to say about certain aspects of the life and legacy of Malcolm X. Additionally, there are three "Perspectives" selections, which allow you to hear two different responses on a single topic. Supplemental Texts. We have provided a number of thought-provoking readings that supplement the main narrative of the site. We encourage you to access these readings. Photo Archive: We have provided a number of photographs that give further insight into "Malcolm X: Life after Death." This site also contains features to help your understanding by engaging you as an active participant in the course. These include links to related web sites and music web sites, a timeline (1965-2001), media resources, and three activities. These features and activities are designed to enhance your experience of this online seminar.
Navigation The main navigation for "Malcolm X: Life after Death" can be found in the upper right hand portion of the screen. Just roll over on the Introduction, Conclusion, or Modules 1, 2, or 3 and you will gain access to that part of the course. A pull-down menu will appear so that you can enter any section of a module. Our web site's other navigational features appear directly below the main navigation. Here you can access the Media Index (which includes Supplementary Readings, Bibliography, Music Links, Related Web Sites, Video Interviews and "Perspectives"), Timeline, Query Map, and Activities.
Credits Produced by The Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning, for Digital Knowledge Ventures and Columbia Interactive Executive Producers Frank Moretti Maurice Matiz Faculty Producer Manning Marable, Professor of History and Political Science and Director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies, Columbia University, and Executive Director of The Malcolm X Project Manager, Product Development Ted Bongiovanni Manager, Research and Content Development Marc Meyer Content Development Paula Torres Aaron Waldkotter Zaheer Ali Cheryll Greene
Interface Design Cristian Rivano
Interface Engineer Cristian Rivano Flash Development Melissa Ulto Video Production Melissa Ulto Video Production Assistance Stephanie Ogden Gerard Zoehfeld Brian O'Hagan Ndlela Nkobi Video/Audio Editing and Encoding Melissa Ulto Participating Experts Louis De Caro, author and pastor of a New York area congregation Robin D. G. Kelley, Professor of History, New York University Farah Griffin, Professor of English and Comparative Literature and African-American Studies, Columbia University Kevin Powell, cultural critic and author, former senior writer/editor for Vibe magazine and an original cast member of MTV's The Real World Zaheer Ali, Assistant Editor, Malcolm X Project, Columbia University |