Nonviolence: The Only Road To Freedom

In contrast, X states, "No, they're getting through fighting" (10). X is arguing that by protesting with violence and fighting results will be achieved quicker. Both men argue that African Americans deserve the same rights, but they want them to achieve these rights in totally different methods. Assuredly, both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X illustrate both similarities and differences in their speeches concerning civil

Martin Luther King often advocated for integration between blacks and whites. “I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood” (MLK, Document B). In contrast, Malcolm X felt that the best way to uplift the black community was not integration, but a type of “black nationalism” (Document G) that would allow the community to take control of its own economy and create employment for itself. He emphasized the importance of keeping money in the community, encouraging his supporters to support black business owners. “When you take money out of the neighborhood you live… the neighborhood in which you spend money becomes wealthier and wealthier, and the neighborhood out of which you take your money becomes poorer and poorer” (Malcolm X, Document G). Malcolm X’s position on integration made the most sense for America in the 1960’s because black communities were in a vulnerable place during the 60’s. Black Americans were being discriminated against in the job market. Integration into white communities at this time would have subjected them to discrimination from white employers and infrastructure. Surrounded by their own community, black Americans would have been able to better elevate themselves from

Malcolm practiced black nationalism, the advocacy of seperate national status for black people, when fighting for Civil Rights. With these beliefs, Malcolm X told those he influenced what he considered to be best if African-Americans wanted to see a change in how they were treated. Document 3 explains, “Working separately, the sincere white people and sincere black people will actually be working together.” (Malcolm X, Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1965) Along with this, Document 5 states, “We encourage Afro-Americans themselves to establish experimental institutes and educational workshops, liberation schools and child-care centers in Afro-American communities.” (Malcolm X, Basic Unity Program, 1967) These quotes reveal to readers and historians that Malcolm X believed that if whites and blacks couldn’t come to agreements directly, they should work separately at fighting for the same thing, civil rights. One source is directly written by Malcolm X and the other is a quote from him, meaning that it shows true thoughts and feelings of the influential man unlike any source written or stated by another person. Beliefs such as this prove that Malcolm X knew there would always be obstacles and racism in the way of African-Americans, but, he also knew that white people who had rights had the ability to help when African-Americans lacked rights and could

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.

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

    In “The letter from Birmingham City Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. and “The Ballot or the Bullet” by Malcolm X both authors discuss injustice during the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. got put in Birmingham city jail and made a letter to Fellow Clergymen. Telling fellow Clergymen that there were fighting for their Civil Rights with nonviolence. And examples of how people were being treated and promises were being broken.  Malcolm X Speech took place in Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland Ohio in 1964 on April 3rd. During Malcolm X’s speech he told his followers that he wanted them to realize what they have done for the country and haven't gotten nothing back. And that he need to use violence he's going to use violence if whites keep on taking degrading them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed nonviolence was the key in order to gain justice and their Civil Rights the deserved because the didn't want whites thinking wrong about them. While Malcolm X believed in violence because he has seen blacks being oppress after all they have have done for the country.

The American Civil Rights had many moving parts and the many accomplishments can be attributed to the persistence and sacrifice of many that participated both black and white. Two seminal figures in the movement were Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. While they were similar in many accounts and held many of the same beliefs King is usually portrayed as a pacifist while X is a rabble rouser ready looking for a reason to use violence. Two diametrically opposed sides of the same coin whose accomplishments may not have happened if not for the other. The love of and fear of are two of the strongest motivators known to man. King use love and the quality of love in his address while X uses fear in attempts to motivate change.

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

unjust” (Banks 1). “Principle four – accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause to achieve the goal – this characterizes that nonviolent resistance is a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from the opponent without striking back; accept the violence, if necessary; but to never inflict violence on another” (Banks 2). “Principle five – avoid internal violence of the spirit, as well as, external physical violence – a nonviolent resister not only refuses to fight or shoot his opponent, but he also refuses to hate him; at the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love for one another” (Banks 2). “Principle six – the universe is on the side of justice – this basic fact pertaining to nonviolent resistance is that it is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice which is positive peace, consequently, the believer in nonviolence has a deep faith in the future and therefore, can accept suffering without retaliation. There is a creative force in this universe, that by whatever name we decide to call it, it works to bring the disconnected aspects of reality into a harmonious whole; a universal wholeness for each of us to share with one another and that nonviolence is both the means and the end” (Banks 3). Dr. King also had a couple of

The two most influential civil rights activists in American history were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. They supported equal rights for every race, but when comparing MLK’s “I Have a Dream’ and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet,” one sees the similarities in their rhetorical styles and differences in their tone and message. As seen in “I Have a Dream,” MLK has a more civilized and peaceful solution to the nation’s problems; whereas in X’s he has a will to do whatever it may take to solve the problems.

We all remember the time when the blacks were second-class citizens. First, they were slaves. Then they were freed, but still oppressed. Unable to vote, unable to own land, unable to be comfortable in their own skin. Fast-forward to the 1960s, a time where they now had separate seats on the buses, they had their own drinking fountains, and even their own churches because they were so hated. Martin Luther King Jr. was a household name, fighting for human rights for his fellow African-Americans. But there was someone out there doing the same, someone a little less conventional: Malcolm X. Malcolm X was an advocate for bonding all the groups of black people into one, he was for violent approaches when he considered it necessary. All of these points are highlighted in what was considered his most political speech at the time: Message to the Grass Roots. Malcolm X does a good job digging at his audience from all sides and angles, asking them to push aside their morals on individual ideas to stick together for each other. He uses logic and emotion to grab at you, to make you see

While Martin Luther King Jr was scattering his ideas of peaceful protesting’s in order to spread equality with the whites and to never fight back, Malcolm X was saying the opposite. Malcolm felt that Black people have to fight back in order for them gain their rights and freedoms in America, but only in one condition in which the whites decide to fight first. In one of his speeches he said, “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery”. He felt it is important to educate the African Americans not to take any kind of hardship from no one, and that they should be educated as well as get involve in businesses. He felt that black people shouldn’t obey to the white people.

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

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.

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Believed in achieving equality through peaceful demonstrations: “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” (King, pg.3 ¶.1). He felt that equality had to be gained through honorable, civil ways otherwise those fighting for equality were no better than the slave owners. We can see this best when he says, “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence” (King, pg.3 ¶.2). MLK felt that it was in the best interests of all parties for black to integrate into society. A couple of his quotes that show this best are, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood” (King, pg.4 ¶.6). and “I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers” (King, pg.5 ¶.2).