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Comparison of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X The 1950 s and 1960 s were eras f may disc between black and white races in the United States. The ever present and unsettling realm f discrimination and disorder began in the Luther states. Civil rights issues became the nrm during this period. Tw f the mre prominent leaders f the civil rights struggle were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although these leaders had the same end results in mind, their means, philosophies, and principles differed.
Their main differences fixated n their willingness t empty r nt t empty violence t achieve their end gals. There were stark contrasting differences in the methods used by the two civil rights leaders. The early background of Malcolm X was a large factor responsible for the distinct different responses to racism. His house was burned by the Ku Klux Klan, which resulted in the murder of his father. From then on, he was driven by hatred and a desire for revenge. Malcolm X was critical of the methodical, slow approach that Martin Luther King was taking to end segregation.
Malcolm X used a more confrontational power approach of direct action rather than a non-violent approach. Malcolm X said, Fight whoever gets in our way, to bring about the complete independence of people of African descent here in the Western Hemisphere, and first here in the United States. He believed that nly through violence would conditions change. Malcolm X did nt code the unwarranted use f violence as a tl f resolution, but he did nt speak ut against its use. Malcolm Xs strategy f selective nn-violence shw's the passin's that he felt t bring abut an answer t the racism blacks were facing. He did not go out and seek violence, but under some circumstances, he felt blacks would be justified in retaliation.
He persuaded his followers to press the issue and take the rights that blacks deserved. Martin Luther King Jr. had a mre positive attitude than Malcolm X. He believed through peaceful demonstrations and arguments; blacks would sunday achieve full equality with whites. Martin Luther King is known fr his key rle as President f the Mntgmery Improvement Association, the rganizatin that directed the bus butt in Mntgmery, Alabama. Mntgmery's black community was free t sit in the back f the city busses and give up their seats t white passengers.
Rsa Parks a full activist, refused t give up her seat, in doing so she sparked a movement that became known as the Montgomery boycott movement. For Dr. King, getting those rights could be brought about by the persistence of a non-violent campaign. King writes, I have consistently preached that non-violence demands that the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek. I have tried to make clear that it is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends.
Kings compliance and effectiveness with the disobedient approach seems far more logical in achieving the desired goal than Malcolm Xs course of action. Dr. Martin Luther Kings actions had a deeper impact on the hearts and minds of millions of Americans throughout the nation. By appealing to the compassion of the masses, King was able to demonstrate the injustices and exposed them to the human conscience.
By appealing to Americans emotions King was able to ultimately provide a long lasting effect. The well-known I have a dream speech is a perfect example of Kings strategy. Although their techniques varied it is hard to say which one was right. I believe that Martin Luther Kings views on non-violence were ultimately correct, although it is hard to say what I would have done if placed in the same position. The intolerable racism of the times could conceivably drive one to violence, however Dr. Kings pacifistic approach was much more respectable.
His use of non-violence put his followers on a moral high ground and made the brutality of racism very apparent. This brings up the question: Does the ends justify the means? Should people do whatever it takes in accomplishing their goals, without regard to law and order? Dr. King preached that it is wrong to accomplish things using immoral means. I believe this is true.
Cultural change takes time and patience. Although both men had a major impact on the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. used a systematic approach that ultimately helped change the twentieth century. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X sought the exact same goals, the equality of blacks and whites.
In order to achieve this equality, both men pursued two highly contrasting methods of protest. Although they differed greatly on the philosophies they used to obtain their goal, they shared a common struggle. Dr. King and Malcolm X addressed their messages differently about black respect and pride but they both had the same goal in mind.
That goal was to achieve equality between all races.
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