It is crucial to make the right decisions at the right time. In the 1960’s this was difficult because people who were affected by Jim Crow laws wanted to use the same violence whites were using, against white racists and segregationists, but also wanted peace and freedom. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X both had the same goals for peace and freedom but had different strategies to achieve this. Martin Luther King, who believed in fighting violence and segregation by using nonviolence, was a civil rights leader who was born on January 15, 1929 and was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Malcolm X, who believed in fighting violence and segregation by any means necessary, was an organization leader (a person who leads an organization in the path …show more content…
It's like working with colleagues; the job gets done faster when you work together. Martin Luther King's philosophy argues that the struggle for racial equality should be waged by blacks and whites by acting together. Martin Luther King states in his “I Have A Dream” Speech,"... we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to climb up for freedom together"(Document B). Martin Luther King proposes that struggling jointly would unite blacks and whites. After being together, there would be equality. Malcolm X, however, had a different strategy. Malcolm X wanted to work together but separately; whites keeping whites in order, while blacks kept blacks in order. In his autobiography, Malcolm X says, " ... working separately, the sincere white people and sincere black people actually will be working together”(Document C). Malcolm X’s position was a bit radical for the time period. With there being deep segregation already, many whites would have been supportive of Malcolm X’s stance because they were in favor in segregation; they had no intention of integrating with blacks any time soon. Martin Luther King's position on struggling jointly made more sense for America in the 1960's because without …show more content…
Also, while segregated from each other people may tend to form prejudices against the other, like in our society today. Martin Luther King’s position on struggling for integrated schools made more sense for America in the 1960’s because he was supportive for integration and the implementation of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. The Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision was that segregated, “separate but equal”, public schools for blacks and whites were unconstitutional. Martin Luther King was supportive of integrated schools because he could see integrated schooling uniting blacks and whites in the “socially healing context of the classroom” (Document D). In his “Our God is Marching On” Speech, Martin Luther King says, “Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige of segregation and inferior education becomes a thing of the past and Negroes and white study side by side in the socially healing context of the classroom”(Document D). In the time period they were in integration was the best solution, since segregation was already a problem. With integration blacks and white would become closer in
Despite the many differences, both men had a common starting point, institutionalised discrimination over the black people of America, as well as a common goal: the end of this discrimination. The similarity has been in fact recognised by both. For instance, as Malcolm X has stated, “The goal has always been the same, with the approaches to it as different as mine and Dr. Martin Luther King’s.” Lewis V. Baldwin actually argues that King and X had even more things in common. As he puts it, “despite their differences religiously, philosophically, politically and organisationally Malcolm and King, both ministers, were drawn together in dialect of social activism by the nourishment they shared in the Black Folk tradition, by their common devotion to the liberation of the press, by the ideas and convictions they share, by the personal admiration and respect they had for each other, and by the impelling moral, spiritual and intellectual power they received from one another.” This may mean that the image of these two people as “ideological nemeses and antagonists on all important questions involving race in America,” may be very simplistic. Yet, there were certainly many important differences in their outlook and ideas in order to justify their representation as polar
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
Powerful movements require powerful leadership. During the 1960s a push for civil rights developed, and African Americans took various positions. Two strong leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X approached the Civil Rights Movement using different methods. Their speeches reflect the disposition of their tactics. In his speech, “I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr. focuses on applying his non-violent philosophy. On the contrary, Malcolm X projects himself in an aggressive tone reflecting the attitudes of Black Nationalists in “Ballot or the Bullet.” These speakers demonstrate their objectives and tone through their use of diction and syntax.
Throughout history there are many great people who dedicated their life to the advancement of the African American race. Few of these people created as much controversy during the 1960’s then the man who would be known as Malcolm X. Unlike many of the civil rights leaders of the time who promoted non violence, Malcolm X believed in the use of aggressive tactics in his battle for equality.
“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time”-Malcolm X. In every movement men and women have crossed paths with others that share their goals, but not everyone shares the same path to achieve it. The civil rights movement of the nineteen fifties and sixties were no different in this case, while many shared the common goal of equality for all, not everyone shared the same style or belief system to achieve it creating sources of conflict within various civil rights organizations as well as between organizations. Freedom activists, Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael sharing the same goal as other civil rights leaders John Lewis
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
The history of the United States has in it much separation or segregation due to race. For a long time our country has seen racism as a large problem and this has caused ethnic groups to be looked down upon and forced into a lifestyle of difficulties and suppression. Due to this, races, particularly African-Americans, have been forced to deal with unequal opportunity and poverty, leading to less honorable ways of getting by and also organizations that support change. Malcolm X is one strong example of an African American man who became apart of a group acted against it, uniting people to promote the advancement of colored people and change. Malcolm's thoughts towards race and civil right in the previous years were displayed in a less
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian and most importantly the leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He was born Michael King, Jr. on January 15, 1929 and died on April 4, 1968 aged 39. Many were a part of King’s movement, although he still had a substantial amount of people who disagreed with his views. There were many accusations made against King. It was suggested that a large quantity of King’s work was plagiarised including his ‘I Have a Dream Speech’. Some also believed he had an obsession with white prostitutes and often brutally beat them. Malcolm X also had his opinions against King’s movement, labelling him and his followers as ‘bourgeois’. Despite these viewpoints, after
"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.
During the past century, the United States of America has wresled with the problem of inequality between black and white people. Two influential people who helped to combat racism and the inequality of man were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had two differentiated approaches to accomplish the same things for black. Both King and Malcolm X started their own organizations, organized rallies, and both gave speeches, but, their beliefs and
The history of the world has had its encounters with separation and segregation when it comes to race. For a long time the world has seen racism as a large problem and this has caused ethnic groups to be looked down upon or forced into a lifestyle of difficulties and suppression. Due to this situation, races, in particularly African Americans, have been forced to deal with unequal opportunity and poverty, leading to less honorable ways of getting by and also organizations and support change. Malcolm X is an example of an African American man who fell into this type of hate and acted against it. Malcolm X united people to promote the advancement of African Americans and change when it comes to his own race.
Two main black activist leaders of the early 1950's were Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Today, both of these men would be remembered as 'great leaders'. However, these two men had totally different approaches towards meeting the same main goal. Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X fought for civil rights; however Malcolm X also wanted to have a separate black society whereas Martin Luther "wanted the integration of white people with black people. Malcolm X believed that violence was the key to his goat whereas Martin Luther King chose to take the non‑violent approach This is one reason why some black activists rejected, the approach of Martin Luther King to civil rights.
The Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement were two monumental movements advocating for the rights, liberties, and equalities of African Americans in the 1960’s. While both had similar interests and long term goals for African Americans, these movements, their leaders, actions and influences were vastly different than one another. The Civil Rights Movement which largely credits their accomplishments to the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr based and grounded itself on moral principles that were distinguished by the importance of non-violence (HistoryNet). The Black Power Movement aligned itself and defined its actions by leader, Malcom X. Malcom X, like Dr. King, pushed for the rights of African Americans and drew a wide following. However, he differed from Dr. King, in that he did not condemn violence, especially when he believed it was in self-defense, for him this was a justified action to fight against the oppression the African American faced by white supremacy (History.com). The stance on violence is the essential and most critical division of these two movements in their principles and actions. In addition, this dividing stance would result in differences in the way they were perceived by established society. Although, they would have differences with each other, in the end, this would not be enough to stop either from focusing on their long term goal of improving the rights, liberties, freedoms and equality of African Americans.
If one man never steps forward to show all the others that change is possible, nothing will ever change. When you look back at history of the American civil rights movement, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are still often two of the first names even someone of today’s society may think of. They were, and still are, some of the most influential men to ever live. As young African-American men living during a time of harsh global, but most importantly, national racism and prejudice; teaching effective techniques to achieve peace and equality to others was extremely difficult for Dr. King and Malcolm X.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were leaders with many followers during the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. They were both ministers that had many people already following them and their number of followers only grew with their ideas and beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had many great ideas on how America should be.While they both led their followers down the path to civil rights they both met their end by the hands of the people who did not want them to continue to make a difference the way they were for African Americans in America. Although Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X both made real changes regarding civil rights, they did not always agree on how to go about seeking out a