Can you explain what this quote by Malcolm X means to you?

Question

Malcolm X said:

"I am not an American,

I am a victim of Americanism."

What does this mean to you?

Answer 1

I think he is playing the victim. Playing the race card.

Answer 2

I interpret this as he has fallen victim to racism. 'Americanism' is used to explain a lot of things. Things the USA is guilty of, like sexism, racism, overweight people etc. In this quote, I would say he doesn't feel like a citizen of America anymore, although he should be. He is equal to everyone else, but is treated otherwise just because he is black.

He feels the whole of America is against black people, which, in his time, they were.

That help? :)

Answer 3

It means he is whining that America owes him something.  He WAS an American, and it was only because of that that anyone ever even heard of him.  And we've all been "victims of Americanism" - we are now from high gas prices, for example.

some people are professional "victims" and try to use that to get others to shell out to them.  They are professional leeches.