Comparison on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.: Who Had More Influence over the Civil Rights Movement

Dr. King and Malcolm X strived to achieve equality for blacks under the law, more specifically, voting rights, desegregation, and more representation in government and politics. However, both men differed immensely in their tactics and strategies. For Dr. King, the negotiations could be brought about by the persistence of a nonviolent plan where, the oppressed people’s determination would overcome the will of the oppressor in the hearts and minds of the nation. He firmly believed in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi’s method of nonviolence resistance, which had been successful in driving the British out of India. For example, according to King, one of the resisters, or black mans goals is not to humiliate the opponent, (the white man) but to win his friendship and understanding. Dr. King proposed a passive resistance, based on “the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice” (“Pilgrimage to Non Violence” King, 112). He claimed the center of nonviolence is based on the principle of love, or understanding. Dr. King emphasized that the white man should not be held responsible for the minorities and blacks being oppressed. Here is where the two leaders oppose each other. Malcolm X felt social injustice and racism had endured too long, and it was

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

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were very significant during the Civil Rights Movement. Both were excellent speakers and shared one goal but had two different ways of resolving it. Martin Luther King Jr. chose to resolve the issues by using non-violence to create equality amongst all races to accomplish the goal. Malcolm X also wanted to decrease discrimination and get of segregation but by using another tactic to successfully accomplish the similar goal. The backgrounds of both men were one of the main driven forces behind the ways they executed their plans to rise above the various mistreatments. Martin Luther King Jr. was a more pronounced orator, a more refined leader, and overall saw the larger picture than Malcolm X.

Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X were very huge leading figures during the Civil Rights movement. Though they had many differences, they had some similarities. Both men’s fathers were preachers and both men were religious preachers themselves. Dr. King and Malcolm X were around the same age and they were both assassinated. Coincidentally, both men had the same number of children and eventually they had the same ideologies for the Civil Rights Movement. However, Dr. King and Malcolm X were different in ways such as Malcolm X wanted black supremacy and Dr. King wanted equality, Malcolm X saw violence as an option to achieve his goals if peace did not work and Dr. King believed in complete nonviolence, and Malcolm X

This era was the time when both X and King would begin to express their opinions on race and equality. Georgetown University’s Keith Miller asserts that Elijah Muhammad, the man to whom X was devoted, taught that the Caucasian society actively worked to keep African-Americans from gaining power and respect and achieving political, economic and social success (“Malcolm X”). These teachings, asserts Malcolm’s official website, combined with how haunted he was by his childhood explain how the message he preached came to be. Malcolm’s idea of true equality was rebellious, negative and angry. He embraced separatist philosophies and felt that non-violence and integration were tricks that white people promoted to keep blacks in their place (“About Malcolm X”). Martin Luther King’s philosophies couldn’t have been more different, according to Long Island University’s Melvin Sylvester. He believed that through hard work, strong leadership and non-violence, blacks could achieve full equality with whites (“Tribute”). King urged all members of the black

Unlike King, Malcolm X encouraged his followers to rebel against whites. Malcolm X, for the most part, believed that non-violence and integration was a trick by the whites to keep African Americans oppressed. “Don’t you run around here trying to make friends with somebody who’s depriving you of your rights” (X 1964). He was furious at white racism and encouraged his followers through his speeches to rise up and protest against their white enemies. “They’re not your friends, no, they are your enemy. Treat them like that and fight them”(X 1964). He encouraged African Americans to stand up against the white America that oppressed them.

"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.

Malcolm’s call for the unification of the black community added to the amount of support that drove the Civil Rights Movement. He passionately spoke about the importance of appreciating their black culture, challenging African-Americans to embrace it. This displayed the strength of the united race that fed on their newly found sense of black pride as encouraged by Malcolm. Self-defense was an indispensable tactic in the struggle for economic and social equality for blacks. His dynamic method of speaking exposed the discriminatory practices of the U.S. legal system and.

Each of these two leaders had different views on how to go about gaining freedom. While King believed a peaceful means would allow the blacks to achieve equality with the white Americans, Malcolm X took a more pessimistic approach. He believed achieving equality was nearly impossible and preached a more separatist doctrine. Each man's beliefs were formed in their youth.

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 was a man who supported violence in getting equal rights for black citizens. To do this, he assisted the national Muslim leader, Elijah Muhammad by sharing the Black Muslim beliefs throughout the United States. Malcolm X started many Muslim groups and worked hard to develop racial pride in his black listeners by recognizing the suffering whites caused by blacks. With the Black Muslims, Malcolm X practiced a vigorous self-defense against white violence. He also urged blacks to live separately from whites and prevented them from attaining their freedom. He affected his followers so much that when his followers would see white people they would often harass or hurt the white people. Through his travels in the Middle East and Africa, he began to realize and change his views regarding potential brotherhood between black and white Americans and rejected the view that all whites were devils. (Harris 99) He thought that one day his religion could unite people of all races. To do this he formed his own group, The Organization of Afro-American Unity. Many people, both black and whites admired his tireless efforts to build pride in blacks and whoever shared his dreams that someday everyone would be joined in brotherhood. Malcolm X was admired by many people because of his drive to unite the blacks and whites as one, but many people also condemned his as a hypocrite and traitor because of his change in views. Malcolm X

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X both made significant contributions to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Almost sixty years later, we are still struggling with the same problems, such as discrimination, economic, housing, and no equal justice. People now worry if they are protected from racism, especially because of the recent commencement of President Trump. His position has led many Americans to worry about going backward to the civil war and genocide. Despite the fact that the United States has made some progress in terms of equality and civil rights since the time of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, there are still exists racism and discrimination in this country based on color and faith. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

Philosophical Differences Two contrasting philosophies may create one big compromise. Martin Luther King Jr. was a healthy, privileged, promising young African American. Malcolm X had a rougher and less privileged childhood. Both grew up to be two very different men with contrasting views on the perilous journey at African American Rights.

From his troubled childhood to his politically powerful movement for Black equality, Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X, evolved into a transformational leader. The effects of his leadership were felt around the world during the 1960s. Americans were faced with great uncertainty during this time. For all minority groups in the United States, politics, the government and its laws, and society as a whole were changing drastically. In response to years of oppression, a collection of concerned groups formed the civil rights movement which rallied African American people together to fight for equal rights, access, and opportunities. Malcolm X was one of the most influential civil rights leaders of this era as the loudest voice for the African American community. His leadership was effective because of the way he utilized a radical idea to convert and influence his followers.

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