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Comparing The Philosophies Of Martin Luther King And Malcolm X

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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (Frey para. 2) Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were two activists who sought to bring about a change for African Americans. During a time of extreme racial inequality and discrimination, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X both had different backgrounds that affected their theories and philosophies about how to achieve social equality; however, Martin Luther King influenced the African American Civil Rights Movement in a more powerful way.
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X grew up in very contrasting ways, and this affected their views on the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King grew up in a peaceful neighborhood, and he was exposed to little …show more content…

First, MLK believed that “fewer people have been killed in ten years of nonviolent demonstrations across the South (1955-65) than were killed in one night of rioting in Watts” (“Different Philosophies of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X”). He says, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that” (“Different Philosophies of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X”). This was a very convincing and logical argument many could agree with. Second, MLK did not show prejudice to all white Americans. He did not believe one whole group could be blamed for problems caused by a few people. He also wrote countless speeches and articles, and he wrote five very impactful books. “The campaigns he led paved the way for legal changes that ended more than a century of racial segregation” (Peake para. 21). He inspired many other movements with his ideas and he helped pave the way towards a better American society. Had King not stepped up to make a change, many African Americans would not have the same rights they have

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