Similarities And Differences Between Martin Luther King And Malcolm X

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr were both strong leaders of the civil rights moment that cast down discrimination and oppression of African Americans. Malcolm X put this into action through encouraging people to use equal force against vicious oppression. Dr. King had a different approach by encouraging nonviolence. This Period of time was overwhelmed by discrimination and the Jim Crow laws which segregated blacks and stopped them from having the freedom in which whites had. To encourage political and social change, Malcolm X and Dr. King both wanted the same opportunities and quality of life that the whites had, for black Americans. Both leaders applied very different aims to reach their goals which is seen through not only there past lives and experiences but also their personalities and leadership quality. Malcolm X encouraged Blacks to use violence and fight back against the white oppressors unlike Dr. King who was the inventor of non-violent protests. Even though they both fought for the same goal and end result of freedom and equality, Malcolm X and Dr. King were very diverse leaders with distinctive leadership styles.

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

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.

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.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were both prominent figures during the civil rights movement. Some similarities are they were both ministers and they both stood for what they believed in. Malcolm X took a more violent approach to his activism, he believed in fighting back physically for what he believe in. Martin Luther King Jr. took a more peaceful approach to his activism, he was always against violence. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that all races should come together as one and be equal while Martin X was suspicious of white people and felt that integration would destroy the black and white man. So while Martin Luther King Jr. was a peaceful leader, Malcolm X was a more fight for what you believe in leader.

Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. once said that we, as the people, “...must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Malcolm X, another famous human rights activist, made a sort of contradictory quotation, remarking that the, “...American Negro has no conception of the hundreds of millions of other non-whites’ concern for him: he has no conception of their feeling of brotherhood for and with him.” As much as these two advocates strive for equality towards both blacks and whites throughout the United States during the rise of civil rights movements in 1960’s and later, they show substantial differentialities on how they push to do so. Each of their mindsets formulates their speeches, causing different messages being made towards their audiences. Martin Luther King, for one, leans more into a powerful, yet peaceful approach towards the people while Malcolm X steps forth on the pedestal of shame and pushed the people to act with a violent outcome. These different approaches and mindsets leads back to none other than their early beginnings itself. It leads back to the lives each one of them endured and the ambitions they were each grown into, all during the time of racial oppression towards African Americans. It leads back to the motivations they were entitled to battle for racial equality, however striving to do so in different mannerisms.

King Jr. and Malcolm X both were without a doubt great leaders, who reshaped the American history, but also they each had very differences when it comes to achieving racial justice in United States. Malcolm started to civil rights movement by looking for black communities, and Malcolm X’s view was primarily inspired by Islamic religion from Elijah Muhammad, who was spiritual leader of Nation of Islam. Muhammad taught him that, “...this devil race had turned what been a peaceful heaven on earth into a hell torn by quarreling and fighting”. Which his referring to white people manipulates the black people and diminishes original of humanity. As Malcolm X started to fight for the racial justice in United States, he believed in the separatism rather than form of integration like Dr. King because he believed that integration would destroy the black. Also, Malcolm X took a different approach to civil rights that more aggressive than Dr. King’s non-violent oriented protest. During a public address in 1964, he mentioned that,“by any means necessary”. It shows that Malcolm X’s approach was a very confrontational that willing to take whatever necessary action for the equality and justice for African Americans in the United

It has come to my attention that to get our freedom, there are two plans, one from Martin Luther King, Jr. and one from Malcolm X. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s plan is to solve our political issues through peace and Malcolm X’s plan supports violence and any other means necessary to win our freedom. I believe that the plan from Martin Luther King, Jr. is more correct in politics and morals. I know this because Martin Luther King, Jr. supports nonviolence, and there will be less fatalities if we go along with him. He sees and supports us as people, unlike Malcolm X, who does not see us as people that live lives and hope to move on from this movement after we succeed. Additionally, Martin Luther King, Jr. wants us to have successful futures, and he looks ahead to the future, the past, and the present. He fights for this, and Malcolm X only plans for and sees the present time.

Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. both had unconditional love for their people. They both wanted to see something great happening in the life of the black people. They both were religious even though their religion was different. The difference between them, Malcolm was a former criminal who believed in discrimination and willing to use violence to achieve his goals and he made every Black Muslim believe that white men are devils and said “Christ wasn’t white. Christ was black. The poor, brainwashed Negro has been made to believe Christ was white to maneuver him into worshiping white men.” In the other hand Dr. King was always against violence, he believed in equal rights and to love peace and sacrifice for it and said “love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality.” Then used Saint John’s

Malcolm X states that he believes African Americans, “should protect ourselves at any means necessary when we are attacked by racists” (Malcolm X Document 9). If the colored people used violence they would be seen as the “bad guy”. King states, “Violence may go to the point of murdering the hater, but it doesn’t murder hate. It may increase hate. Violence…doesn’t solve any problems.” (King Document 8). Martin Luther King, Jr. is saying that if someone kills a hater, that someone doesn’t stop the hate. Hate will still continue in the world and the person who killed the hater is now a murderer. Plus, murder is violence. Violence can solve nothing because violence just creates more evil. So, if the colored people fought back they would be creating more violence. Using peaceful ways of protest, such as, speeches which can be a way to protect themselves and get their point across. Malcolm believes in the separation of races instead of integration, “We encourage Afro-American themselves to establish experimental institutes and educational workshops, liberation schools and child-care centers in Afro-American communities” (Malcolm X Document 5). This would be unsustainable for a long period of time because it goes against human nature of wanting to stay together. Dr. King said that

Support 1: In passage one Dr. King says that he believed non violence was the best rout to take when improving the economic conditions of the African American Community. Malcolm X. believed that hitting the white community where it hurts and using force to get what they want and building their own black nation was the best way to go. They both had similar ideas like for example in

He witnessed his family home being burned, and heard news about the death of his father. He grew up to learn that to get something you have to make noise for it. MLK grew up to become a preacher while Malcolm X faced jail time for drug crimes, and was converted to Islam when he encountered Elijah Muhammad. This marked the turn in his life, from a criminal to a black nationalist. As a black nationalist and Muslim from the Islamic Nation, created by Elijah Muhammad, he advocated for black pride and separatism. He believed that non-white races were not equal to other races, but better, which made him a black supremacist. MLK admired Mohandas Gandhi, the Indian leader who used nonviolence to secure India’s liberation. He believed that racial segregation was destructive to the soul of both white and nonwhite people, and discrimination had violated the basic principles of America such as equality under the law, and right to pursue happiness. His goal was to end segregation and bring national integrity. Though they were raised from different family backgrounds and childhood, Martin Luther King had a great impact on the Civil Rights Movement than Malcolm X. His ideas and beliefs attempt to integrate all people, despite their races as well as advocate for equal in-line with the country’s law; that is without violating the law.

King believed the only way to end racial segregation was to Integrate, with whites and blacks going to school together, and living in peace together. Proof of this is in Kings "I have a Dream" speech. King explained he had a dream where white children and black children would grow up together and live peacefully. Malcolm X believed in separation of the two races but wanted equality. He told the black community that the only way to be equal is to separate from the white race. Malcolm X made speeches saying how all blacks should go to Africa and start their own society.

Malcolm X did not hesitate to mention using violence in order to protect black women and children.  He cited several different revolutions such as Russian, Korean, German, Japan and Chinese to show that there is no such thing as a peaceful revolution.  Malcolm X was angered that  as long as the white man was sending people to be violent of foreign soil and it was considered to be just.  When innocent black girls were killed and churches were bombed, how were the black supposed to react?  They were expected to remain calm.  Malcolm X’s message was meant to unite black people, and to inform them that a revolutionary was needed to bring a change in society.  “There is nothing in our book, the Koran, that teaches us to suffer peacefully.  Our religion teaches us to be intelligent.  Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone…”  Malcolm X, 555).  He made a great effort to put religious views aside and to unify the black community.  All three of these activists stand correct in seperate ways.  Both Mohandas K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were both preachers of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance.  Malcolm X on the other hand was a civil rights activist who protested for equality while mentioning violence.  Gandhi chose to peacefully protest British rule in his nation.  Martin Luther King Jr.  followed Gandhi and chose to use civil disobedience to address social injustice.  Malcolm X

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had the best interest of African Americans, but they had very different approaches to obtaining their freedom. In Kings “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” he want’s blacks to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and have nonviolent protests to show that they will not just give up because they are beaten and how strong their will is to receive their freedom. While in Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or The Bullet”, X believes that Kings nonviolent