Comparing Martin Luther King And Malcom X

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X was one of the most influential civil rights activists of their time, as well as throughout American History for their core beliefs in the 20th century. Despite having the same goals, which is equal rights for all races, both conveyed their messages drastically from one another. In Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream” speech, he believes in a non-violent, civilized protest to resolve the problem which has plagued our nation for over a century. On the other hand, Malcolm X was in favor of using violence to achieve his ideals even if it ends up harming others, which can be seen in his speech, “The Ballot or The Bullet.” By comparing and contrasting their rhetorical styles, tones, and purposes, it can be

Martin Luther King and Malcom X, both prominent figures in the Civil Rights movement, had vastly different views on segregation and violence. The first time these two met was at the U.S. Capitol in 1964 to watch the Senate debate on a Civil Rights bill. Of the two, Martin Luther king had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s because of his views on Integration, economics, and anti-violence.

The 1960’s signified a time of progress in the struggle for African American rights. Two prominent leaders in this movement were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was a Muslim minister who believed the injustice that existed against African Americans could be solved through separatism and self-defense. On the other hand, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist preacher, felt that the road to justice would be paved through nonviolent protest and integration. Both figures challenged the oppression inflicted on the African American community, however each individual championed different portrayals of their appeal to ethos, pathos, and logo to convey their belief that America needed an immediate change in the unjust social, economic, and political systems that existed at the time.

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Malcolm X were the two particular most prevalent, most influential individuals of the Civil Rights Movement. Their tactics, ideologies, childhoods, and ideas of freedom differed in virtually every aspect. The ways in which these men sought transformation in society are where the majority of their differences existed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a huge proponent for peaceful demonstrations, silent marches, and nonviolent public sit-ins, where he and his supporters made open, unrestricted declarations for equality and integration. His entire philosophy on optimism and love originated from his Baptist roots and was a direct cause of his peaceful, nonviolent upbringing. In contrast, Malcolm X had a turbulent and traumatic childhood that led to a more forceful, direct form of demonstration that never pushed for peace and love and national social harmony. His religion and main area of support, the Nation of Islam, did not believe a simple sit-in or peaceful protest would create a change in society. Instead, he advocated for Black Nationalism, not for integration. Malcolm X encouraged the black community to become autonomous, to function separately from white society. A number of striking similarities existed between these men, however. Both men were intelligent from a young age, were raised in the same religion, had a staggering awareness of the national racial tensions in America, fought for justice for their people, pushed for social and

Malcom X's vision for Civil Rights was more appropriate for the time than that of Martin Luther King's for many reasons. Malcom X's views were more appropriate because he was clearer on what was really happening. One reason for this was that he stated, "Brothers, the white man can't give you the solution. ... They can't do it and they won't do it". This shows that Malcom X knows that the whites are never going to do anything for the colored people and that even if they could they wouldn't do it because of the racism that was going on back then. On the other hand, Martin Luther King believed that the whites should be involved in the civil rights movement because " the racial problem will be solved in America to the degree that every American

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, many leaders emerged that captured the attention of the American public. During this period, the leaders' used different tactics in order to achieve change. Of two of the better-known leaders, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., the latter had a more positive influence in the progress of the movement.

In the 1950’s a mass protest movement against racial segregation and discrimination began. This event was called the Civil Rights Movement. This movement has its roots in the centuries before to abolish slavery. Although American slaves were emancipated because of the civil war and granted basic rights through the 14th and 15th amendment. These rights struggled to be locked in place and federally protected for the next century. Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. were two of the many icons this century to come. Which had both come from two different backgrounds and beliefs but had the same exact goal.

Comparing Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Martin Luther King and Malcolm X are to diverse individuals with two opposite personalities but both successfully succeeded in achieving freedom and bringing equality to black Americans discriminated against for many years even after the abolishment of slavery. Martin Luther King was born in 1929, in Georgia, Atlanta. Unlike the other black people in the southern states he was different he grew up in well off family who was freely educated a key factor in his personal achievements. During his younger adult years just like his father who was a preacher King decided to work in the Christian church as a Baptist Minster. He idolised Mohandas Karamchand

“I have a dream, that one day little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sister and brother.” (de Kay 75)…Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X are equally categorized as courageous individuals; however the thoughts, actions, and beliefs as evidenced in their writings demonstrate that each chose a path opposite the other in exhibiting courageous actions. Through Martin Luther King Jr.’ speech, I’ve Been to the Mountain Top and Malcom X’s By any Means Necessary, we observe the steps that each of these Black Activist Leaders took in order to grasp the attention of African-Americans all while achieving results in moving the Black community upward toward equality.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were both famous people in history who have helped many black people through their Civil Rights protesting against segregation, but both of them had different ways of approaching what they wanted to achieve and succeed in. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a more peaceful approach whilst Malcolm X had a more somewhat ‘violent’ approach, but overall, who offered a more beneficial program of Civil Rights? Everyone has his or her own thoughts, but I believe that Martin Luther King was somewhat more successful than Malcom X.

believed in the racial and ethnic equality of all people, he protested in a nonviolent and peaceful way and formed his protests after Mahatma Gandhi, who worked for social change without using violence. Malcolm X offered a different perspective by advocating for and encouraging a separate black community to be established. Malcolm X promoted violence rather than nonviolence as a tool for self-defense and encouraged separation rather than integration. While Martin Luther King, Jr. preached of equality and a dream that all ethnicities would live together in harmony, Malcolm X personified the philosophy of “Black Power” and black self-determination, and promoted an adamant belief in the evils of the white man and white America. Malcolm X also, advocated for black supremacy and lived by the phrase “by any means necessary.” Martin Luther King, Jr. used nonviolent tactics with the influence of Jesus Christ teachings such as “turning the other cheek” even when presented with violence and physical harm. Malcolm X spoke to reporters about the Black nationalist Movement and the need to establish Black Rifle Clubs. These are only some of their ideas on how they did not always agree on how to go about seeking out a

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were both known as civil right leaders in the 1960’s. Both men had a different perspective on civil rights and how civil rights should be won. Both men also had strong beliefs on religious and followed on through that path in different ways. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had several differences and several comparisons and had a big impact for the people of The United States.

Malcolm X used violence as a way to get more black rights and to hopefully lead up to black supremacy. Dr. Martin L King Jr used non violence protesting as a way to symbol that people standing up for their rights are not wrong or barbaric, but the people who are stopping these nonviolent protests look bad because there is no physical harm being done. Malcolm X states, “This is why I say it’s the ballot or the bullet. It’s liberty or it’s death” (The Ballot or the Bullet). This describes Malcolm X warning that if black people are not allowed suffrage and other rights, then there is going to be violence and death involved to have those rights granted. Malcolm X is showing that he is not afraid to have a violent revolution if there has to be one. Dr. King however states, “We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must ride to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force” (I Have A Dream). Martin Luther King Jr is trying to persuade others that a violent protest will only hurt, not help in getting equality and that a peaceful, powerful protest will ensure smoother integration and peace. Dr. King is promoting the opposite of Malcolm X by saying peace is power whereas Malcolm X is trying to bring forth the

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal" (King, “I HAVE A DREAM…,” pg.4 ¶.5). Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were major figures in the fight for racial equality but their ideals were diametrically opposed. In MLK JR’s March on Washington speech, he calls for peaceful resistance and integration into an equal society. Malcolm X, however, disagrees with that in his Message to Grassroots and argues equality cannot be obtained peacefully and that living together wouldn’t be much better than slavery. By comparing the two men’s goals and messages expressed in these speeches we can gain an understanding of the feelings of the general populace on the issues of racial inequity.