Ailyn Maung

ETHN 21
Hnou Lee
October 1st
Reading and Dicussion:
Malcolm X

This week's reading was Malcom X: Saved, for the discussion going to take part
in class. While reading, I feel like I really understood this reading a lot and connected it
to my own personal life. Connecting it to my own personal life, my father was in and out
of jail due to using and selling drugs from the age 26-35. My father was able to graduate
and finish highschool but he was unable to achieve any higher education due to his
addiction. With my dad being in and out of jail, he was unable to achieve his dreams of
reaching a higher education. Growing up, I saw my father struggle to understand the
ways education has changed. During the time he was home from jail and rehab, he
couldn’t help me with my english or math homework. I am glad that after my dad was
imprisoned for almost ten years he decided to make a change and get help. My dad has
been clean now for more than 7 years, and during those 7 years he was able to seek
somewhat of a higher education. Even now, with my 8 year old little brother, my dad can
now finally help one of his kids with homework and understand the material that is being
taught. While reading Saved, I feel like I made a connetion with my own dad’s struggles.
I found it interesting while reading Saved because I truly never understood the struggles
and how much imprisonment can pull your own life back. Now that I understand, I want
to say that I truly agree with the reading for this week.