The Montgomery Boycott And Martin Luther King And 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

- [x] Malcolm X believed in the theory of a “common enemy” . He deeply believed that in our world regardless of what your race may be whether it was black , Asian , Indian, and whatever else that may fall in between or outside of those, that they all had an common enemy: which was the white man. And that where ever the white man went that turmoil, greed, corruption followed;

Throughout his life Malcolm X faced oppression from white people. From having his family’s house burned by the KKK, to having his father killed by a white supremacy group and leaving his mother destroyed, Malcolm had a deep sense of hatred towards white people in America. This resulted in Malcolm developing this philosophy that black people should in no way accept the help of white people. While he was in prison learning about the nation of Islam, his views on “white” America grew strong. Leading to his advocacy to Pan-Africanism. Malcolm shares in the book, “that freedom, independence and self-respect could never be achieved by the Negro in America, and that therefore the Negro should leave America to the white man and return to his African land of origin.” He simply believed that unless black people create a black nation, blacks in America could never be economically stable due to the discrimination they will continuously face. Later on in the book, he contradicts himself after his trip to Mecca and changes his views. Neglecting his past belief of Pan-Africanism, Malcolm came to the realization that blacks in America could be successful with the participation of whites fighting alongside them for equal rights. This came to be as a result of Malcolm witnessing race problems from different perspective around the

With regard to integration, King’s method of working together was a better choice for America in the 1960’s than Malcolm X’s. King’s approach to gain made more sense because integration would help change Blacks’ and Whites’ opinions of each other; just by working and living with each other they can erase, or at least lessen, racism. Whites would continue to prejudiced against African-Americans unless society was integrated. Malcolm X made it obvious that he believed that the White people and African Americans should remain divided (separate), but should be equal to each other. He told white people “work in conjunction with us-each of us working among our own kind”(Document C). This shows us how Malcolm X had the idea of being separate but equal, which meant black and whites should be given equal rights and opportunities, but shouldn’t interact with each other. Martin Luther King, on the other hand, supported desegregation and equality. He wanted black people and white people to work together. He said in his famous speech, “we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to climb up

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

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had a common purpose for African Americans; justice and equality. Illustrated through their speeches, Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” and Malcolm X’s “Talk to Young African Americans”, the two did not share techniques or ideas. Yet both men had the support of millions and millions of people.

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

Malcolm X was one of the primary religious leaders and reformers of the 1960, where he fought for and ultimately gave his life for racial equality in the United States. His father was a reverend who believed in self-determination and worked for the unity of black people. Throughout Malcolm’s life he was treated horribly by white people, hence shaping his misconceptions of all white people and developing his strong belief in black separatism. It wasn’t until years later where he embraced his black identity and discovered all races could live and work together for a common goal, brotherhood.

Slaves were whipped, shackled, beaten, mutilated and branded. Slaves were seen as the bottom of mankind and viewed as undesirable because of the color of their skin. In 1865 after the civil war, the 13th amendment which declared Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction(Citation) and slavery was abolished African Americans faced many more social injustices. Between 1877-1960s Jim Crow laws existed . The Jim Crow laws segregated the African Americans from the white people in the south and claimed to be “Separate but Equal”. Under the Jim Crow laws, public parks were segregated; separate schools, hospitals, and other public institutions and in poorer quality compared to whites (Citation). In 1955 a girl named Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man and was arrested. This event started a year-long boycott of the Montgomery buses. A local pastor named Martin Luther King begin the spokesman of this boycott, Martin Luther used his leadership skills and religious

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

"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.

There were many interesting articles about amazing people standing up for what they believed in. My favorite two articles were the March on Washington and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. I have learned many things about the March on Washington, mainly about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous “I have a dream” speech, but I had never learned about the person behind all the planning that went into this March. Bayard Rustin put in a little over a year’s worth of time into planning such a monumental march with over 250,000 people in attendance. There he read a list of demands including the right to vote, equal education and equal civil rights. After reading the list of demands to the whole crowd, Rustin and 8 other civil right activist leaders went to talk to President Kennedy about the list that all of the crowd agreed with. We also learn a lot about the Montgomery Bus Boycott in school, but there were many parts that I didn’t know. For instance, Rosa Parks did

Malcolm X was a civil rights activist. He wanted equality for all people and fought for it. Malcolm said that he “ identified whites as the enemy of blacks”( gale students resources 1).He believed this because blacks were treated harshly by whites and they were made into slaves. Malcolm felt so strong about black rights. He even changed his last name to x. He did it for the black heritage that was taken

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.

Civil Rights were a war for equal rights between blacks and whites. To Americans, Civil Rights are a very important part of history. Today all people enjoy the benefits of Civil Rights, because everyone, no matter what color is equal. Montgomery Bus Boycott drastically changed the course of history. Without the Montgomery Bus Boycott, things definitely wouldn't be the same.