Progress evolves slowly in societies primarily because it takes time for new ideas to become accepted as ônormsö in a collective community. During the era of Ralph Ellison and Malcolm X, progress pertaining to civil rights moved so slowly as to be imperceptible or at a standstill since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Lincoln. Both the experiences of Ralph EllisonÆs ôInvisible Manö and the rhetoric and ideology of Malcolm X illustrate a frustration with social conditions that served to oppress African Americans and rob them of equality and their access to upward mobility. Both the ôInvisible Manö and Malcolm X undergo transformations in their efforts to change social conditions.
From the perspective of Ralph EllisonÆs ôInvisible Man,ö Malcolm X would be perceived as a ôRas the Exhorterö character that is one whoÆs politically irrational and irresponsible. Some might argue that Ralph EllisonÆs ôInvisible Manö is actually the irrational and irresponsible character that is one who epitomizes an integrationist ôchumpö who naively keeps his faith in the ôAmerican Dream.ö Neither of these statements is true. Through a series of personal revelations and transformations, both EllisonÆs ôInvisible Manö and Malcolm X experience an awakening that brings them both closer to a middle-ground, integrationist ideology for America.
Both the ôInvisible Manö and Malcolm X go through transformations in maturing that cause them to experience personal change and changed beliefs. There can be a case made that in allowing their frustration to advocate violent revolt did make an image of both the ôInvisible Manö and Malcolm X into one of ôRas the Exhorter,ö but only when they were nanve about real progress in society, particularly political progress. Both recognized that a civil society cannot achieve peaceful coexistence through violence. In talking about CliftonÆs murder, we see the ôInvisible ManÃ...