Even after almost fifty-years, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X endure as cherished, powerful, and instrumental leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. Although they were advocating for the same cause, they were not always on the same page about the means. They were both ministers, although of different faiths, and had different thought processes. In his autobiography, Malcolm discusses his childhood in poverty and the ramifications that this caused such as dropping out of school in the eight-grade. Upon moving to Boston from Nebraska, Malcolm was in yet another disadvantaged environment that was interwoven with violence, eventually leading to his incarceration that lasted six years. Martin, however, was a well-educated man from a …show more content…
When it came to violence, Martin opposed, feeling that there was a thin line between aggression and defense. He felt that violence would lead to death and a spiral, making things worse rather than fixing them. In Martin’s ‘Where Do We Go From Here” speech from August 1967, he states “Through violence, you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth… murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate... Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.” Malcolm on the other hand, spoke of self-preservation and self-defense. He saw the whites as the ones guilty of violence throughout history, and now it was the time for African-Americans to stand up for themselves. Martin felt that black Americans should be paid for the long history of oppression and should have equal rights. Although both men had experiences that shaped their different philosophies, once involved in Civil Rights they had similar experiences. Both men had seen and felt prejudice, been to jail, got death threats, homes attacked. The difference was how to respond to these instances. Martin wanted to get the prejudice and brutality in the spotlight, using non-violent means to cause an emotional reaction to spark change. Malcolm wanted African-Americans to take things into their own hands, with violence being a tool. Both men got their messages across through speeches, which were also different. Malcolm liked to get the people riled up, he was
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
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.
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
During the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1950s and 1960s, two prominent African-American men fought for economical, political and social equality for their race. Even though they were fighting for the same thing, their ideas to attain equality were unusually different. Martin Luther King wanted to a non-violently integrate society; on the other hand Malcolm X thought complete separation was the solution to inequality. Either way both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were some of the most influencing leaders of the Civil Rights period . With their entrancing passion they were able to bring about change in the black community; their voices rose above many other people and left both whites and blacks in awe. At the time, Martin Luther King’s approach towards education and communication between both races made more sense; however when it came to philosophy, Malcolm X’s path toward philosophy made more sense for America in the 1960’s and created broader support for the Civil Rights Movement.
Despite both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. actively fighting for freedom and equality during the Civil Rights Movement, both men are not remembered equally. Undeniably, their approaches were different and this resulted in varying outcomes regarding their successes. Indirect action seemed ineffective to Malcolm and he desired changed immediately, which may seem like the most effective route to change, yet Martin Luther King Jr. is famously known for his success achieving freedom. Malcolm X focused on direct action and standing up for the black community while Dr. King wanted to negotiate and was willing to wait for his equality which ultimately allowed him more widespread success.
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were two greatest leaders in the fighting of the Civil Rights Movement. Contrary to most American belief, King and Malcolm X were not perfect opposite to each other. However, they do have distinct method to achieve social and economic equality. Malcolm X and King were both civil rights leader during 60s. They had the same goal, which was to achieve social equality for African Americans and Black people. Malcolm X was born in a extremely poor family, which led Malcolm X end up in jail because he sold drug and armed robbed others. In the jail, Malcolm X encountered the teaching of Elijah Muhammad.From then on he was a changed man. Unfortunately, Malcolm was assassinated when he was thirty nine years old.
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 thought Martin was taking the easy way and it would never work. Martin wanted to solve things with peace and words, but Malcom wanted to fight and to go the hard way around. In "Malcom X: By Any Means Necessary" the author also says," He attacked racism with the biting tone of the absolute cynic, vowing to attain freedom by any means necessary" and that differs from Martin Luther King Jr. because in an interview, "Martin Luther King Malcom X the debate", he said,"Were in non violence means that you do resist in a very strong and determined matter." He wanted every person to love every other person and he new that violence wouldn't get that. Malcom thought peace was weak compared to Martin who thought violence was a dangerously bad ideas. They both would end up at the same solution but getting there they lacked of friendship and
"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.
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.
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.
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
James H. Cone elaborates on his beliefs and understanding of what makes these two men different and why he believes what makes them different from each other, in his book, “Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or A Nightmare”. Cone explains that through their personal backgrounds and religious beliefs, Martin and Malcolm X differed the most. Martin grew up in a stable home with a family that loved and cared for him and was financially secure throughout his childhood. He was protected from racism and was well-educated, which explains his non-violent protest and goal to work with whites of America to improve the lives of all Americans. Unlike Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm grew up in a broken family and wasn’t very well educated like his counterpart. He was not as fortunate as Martin to grow up financially secure and racism
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