Brock Farnum Powers Honors 20th Century American History (3) 20 May 2024 MLK & MX During the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were two of the most influential activists. This period was life-changing for African Americans all across the country, and it's a time in history that will never be forgotten. Most people compare MLK and MX and they say they are opposites because of their personalities. Malcolm X was viewed as an activist who would do whatever it took to reach his goal, and if violence was needed, then he would use it. In the peoples’ eyes, the opposite of Malcolm is MLK and people believe he is the opposite because he was more peaceful and wanted to reach his goals in the safest way possible. Although, the two men can be considered more alike than opposites. Both men …show more content…
Meanwhile in Document 7 The Last Years of Malcolm X, Malcolm says almost the same thing when describing the black community that “we have to learn the importance of spending our money in the community where we live.”. Both of these quotes from the activists show their similarities when it comes to the community and how they should be spending their money. Another parallel between the men is their overall thoughts about violence. In Document 8 speech made at a staff retreat, MLK describes how he is not a fan of violence and he thinks that “it doesn’t solve any problems”. Malcolm also has a similar view when he says “If we could bring about recognition and respect for our people by peaceful means, well and good” (Document 9 The Young Socialist). This reveals that both men would prefer not to have violence in this movement and because of this, a similarity can be seen between them. These quotes from Malcolm and Martin prove that they should not be viewed as adversaries throughout this
Amid the 1960's, two of our most noticeable figures of the Civil Rights Movement were Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Both had distinctive childhoods bringing on the two to have contrasting philosophies. Their reasoning for ending the segregation was made by their history. Malcolm X carried on with an extreme life underneath poverty and lost both of his parents as a child. He got into making drug deals, driving him to prison where he found the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. MLK, then again, was luckier having carried on with a life in the middle class and being Christian, where he was introduced with Mahatma Gandhi's teachings. Obviously, both men connected their childhood in their leadership all through the Civil Rights Movement. Despite the fact that the two
Martin Luther King and Malcom X, both prominent figures in the Civil Rights movement, had vastly different views on segregation and violence. The first time these two met was at the U.S. Capitol in 1964 to watch the Senate debate on a Civil Rights bill. Of the two, Martin Luther king had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s because of his views on Integration, economics, and anti-violence.
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
It's hard to think that only fifty seven years ago our nation was severely divided by color, and race. At the time African Americans were looked upon as an inferior race to the caucasians, and when the lesser race began to fight back rage took hold of American hearts. During this trying time there were two notable leaders of the black minority, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. Although they both sought the same thing for their people, equality, they each had their own way of going about obtaining it. King was a peaceful man, and was a strong believer in the power of peaceful actions of protest. While on the other hand, Malcolm was a man of action and these actions weren't always peaceful. After reading the two passages above it is easy to see that Malcolm X's plan of action is the best option for the African American people.
During the African- American civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were two well-known activists. Both men fought for civil rights, but both had two opposing opinions on how it should be achieved. Malcolm X took the more forceful, violent route while King thought civil rights should be attained in a peaceful way. Even though King is more widely remembered, both Malcolm X and King’s impact during their time has shown up in today’s world. Born on May 19th, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm X had been subjected to racism early on in his life.
In an interview by Les Crane of Malcolm X, he stated that leaders should not be fighting each other but rather and discusses each individual's differences. Furthermore, X explain his ideas of creating a “Negros Militia” is not and should not be considered a threat, but to protect his people. In addition, X reveal his opinion about the government, “-either its inability or its unwillingness to protect lives of property of our people”(305), and that the defence department are involved in the murder, “police officers and sheriffs themselves are involved in the murder that takes place against our people”(305). X belive that his people should not take the abuse against them but rather fight back if necessary, “I think that it’s only fair to expect elements to do whatever is necessary to protect themselves”(306). Indeed X’s belief and King’s beliefs are rather different, when both people leds the Civil Rights Movement. King’s believe that in order to win their cause, they must take abuse and must not under any circumstances should retaliate, while X believe that sitting around and take the abuse by oppressors when the government unable, or unwilling to protect them is
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.
The MLK one was basically saying violence is never the answer, and there is always a way around using violence. While the Malcom X one summarized was saying violence used as self-defense was intelligent. So, both men fought for the same cause, against racism, but both men had different views on violence. In an article about Michael Brown, or better known as the Ferguson case here is what was said, “The incident sparked protests and acts of vandalism in Ferguson as well as widespread calls for an investigation into the incident” In Ferguson they seemed to be on the same page as Malcom X, by using self-defense as a way to protest.
The mid 20th century in the United States of America. The toughest time for African Americans post slavery. Faced with segregation and other form of racism that were classified as a norm predominantly in the Southern part of the country. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two men that contributed vastly to counter all forms of racism. Many supported MLK Jr. and Malcolm X. Both men had different methods which they planned on using to achieve their common goal but the question was who’s method was more efficient?
Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. wanted what was best for society to keep the peace. On August 28, 1963 Martin have his “I Have a Dream” speech. King stressed the importance of a nonviolent society and giving this speech he hoped to make vision come alive. On December 10, 1963 Malcolm also gave a speech called “Message to the Grassroots”. The speech outlined his black nationalist philosophy and accepted him as a major critic for the civil rights movements. Sadly both Malcolm and Martin’s time came too soon and they both was assassinated few years within each
It was a period of soul-searching and religious flowering that led him to a state of peace, and which is all-too-often cast aside when we look back at his life.” The article is supports how Malcolm X and MLK,both wanted the same things which included equal rights for all people. Malcolm X believed in nonviolent protests because, if not he would not have went to support him.Which both should be remembered equally,as brave African American
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.
After reading an excerpt of “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, I felt that both men were conveying their alarm for equality for the African-American race. Malcolm and Martin had already experienced the atrocities that extreme racism brought on to their families. Martin projects a peacemaking, and more rational demeanor Malcolm showed a more radical, controversial, and an unwavering unwillingness position on compromise. The characteristic of standing up for what he or she believes in is one influence that these men have on my life.
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.
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