Compare And Contrast Malcolm X And Martin Luther King

In the pursuit of equality during the Civil Rights Movement, two main ideologies emerged: those of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. These two men’s philosophies are usually viewed as complete contradictories. Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King hold the same end goal of rights for African Americans; however, their methods for achieving that goal differ. Malcolm maintained a more violent approach whereas King deemed that the best way to achieve equality was through nonviolent and peaceful practices. Additionally, Malcolm believed in the separatism of African American and white cultures, in contrast to King’s belief in the integration of black and white cultures.

Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. share one thing in common with each other: they were leaders of The Civil Rights Movement. Both men had many followers, but very different approaches. Malcolm X wanted African Americans to become independent and responsible for themselves. One of the tactics he used to try and accomplish this was violence. A quote by him depicts his ideals saying, “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery”.

1.) To what extent were the political philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X different? King and Malcolm X had different views about civil rights. King grew up in the North and was wealthier than most African Americans. During the civil rights movement King followed Mahatma Gandhi's way of peaceful resistance.

Malcolm X, who had come from a poor home in the North, had focused on the economic aspect of the Civil Rights movement through more violent take on getting his word out. Martin Luther King Jr was a major influence to the Civil Rights movement. Therefore, his non-violent

The people involved in the civil rights movement fought for their beliefs in social justice and equality for all, regardless of race. Martin Luther King Jr. preached about nonviolence resistance against those who opposed the movement and pleaded for equality among blacks and whites. Another figure, Rosa Parks, fought for her right by refusing to give up her seat for a white person. However, Malcolm X, a black figure in the civil rights movement, was a minister who spoke for the blacks and believed in violence unlike King. Even though Malcolm X was seen as one of the most important leader for the blacks in the civil rights movement, his methods and ideas were considered unjust by turning the hatred towards the white society and labeling the whites as “the devil.”

While, Malcolm X was a man on the streets and advocated violence by any way necessary. Martin Luther King Jr philosophy, in the 1960’s made the most sense because he made America move forward, made everyone equal and also stopped non-violence. Martin Luther and Malcolm X had their first meeting at the U.S. Capitol on March 26, 1964, they seemed to have mutual respect during this time. (Doc A). Malcolm X believed that the blacks and the whites should be separated, he wanted the whites to work in conjunction and work among their own kind, and this simply means that he wanted the whites to work alone.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had been very important leaders to the Civil Rights movement. Their differing philosophies had made them unique, and brough differing perspectives to the 1960s. In the 1960s, society had been cruel in their treatment of African-Americans. Segregation was still in place, and hate and violence to African Americans had been at a high. The Civil Rights movement had been a big step for African-americans as they fighted for equal rights and the end of segregation.

Consequently, Malcolm X preached in favor of “separate but equal.” He wanted African-Americans not only to live by themselves, but to govern themselves as well. This was another area in which Malcolm X’s beliefs and King’s were in conflict. Much to Malcolm X’s dislike, King’s civil rights movement was largely financed by whites, which Malcolm X believed made King very dependent on white society. People who disliked this aspect of King’s movement and believed that his form of protesting was ineffective became followers of Malcolm

Two things grew in the 1960s: peace and violence. The civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1960’s, bringing change with it. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr emerged as two powerful activists. Both activists had very different philosophies, one preached a non-violence method, and the other thought violence was a necessary action to bring change. During the civil rights movement, Malcolm X’s philosophy made the most sense because he wanted to improve the lives of every black American, he believed that the government wasn’t doing enough for colored people, and he thought violence was necessary to bring a change.

The most important decision of a leader is the style of leading they decide to use when inspiring others, or providing a vision for the future. By looking at the past, it is proven that some leadership styles are guaranteed to be more effective than others. The leadership style of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights provides significant evidence of how different styles of leading can turn out to be a major success or defeat. Malcolm X’s leadership style included using violence to protest against violence and unequal rights, as well as supporting the segregation of African Americans and the whites. Martin Luther King’s style included nonviolent marches and protests against violence, and peacefully fighting for integrating the blacks and whites.

Malcolm X and Martin Luther KIng Jr are both very critical parts in the fight for social and economic justice for african americans in the 60s though both of these men fought for the same things they had different ways of thinking and different strategies that they used to get this economic and social justice/eqaulity. Martin Luther KIng Jr and Malcolm X were both very smart men with great ideas that helped african americans take a step closer to getting the eqaulity they deserved economically and socially. Martin Luther King Jr was a well known african american civil rights activist in the 60s that voiced his opinion and ideas in order to make a change. Martin Luther King Jr had many stratigies when it came to getting what he wanted and what he wanted more than anything at the time was a equal economic status for african americans. At this time in the 60s african

In the Civil Rights Moment there were two men named Martin Luther King and Malcom X. They both aimed for racism to be gone but differently. Martin Luther King was a black minister who aimed for freedom and no racism towards blacks with no violence. Malcom X was also a black minister who tried to end racism but in a violent way for human rights. The Supreme Court cut down on discrimination such as jobs and racial harassment during the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1800s.

Malcolm X didn’t agree with what King’s views, he believed that MLK’s dream was not a dream but a nightmare. Martin Luther King Jr’s approach to civil rights and equality was non-violent protesting, sit-ins, and getting as much people together as possible while not using violence. However, Malcolm X’s approach to this was almost the opposite. He was against the views of whites and he was willing to do whatever was needed to achieve

However, the action should be taken without nonviolence and with peaceful protest. Dr. King’s nonviolent tactic was a success as it bridged the gap between the colored and white people. Malcolm X was renown for his act of self defense throughout the Civil Rights Movement. His main goal was to prove how whites did not treat black people as human beings. However, through Malcolm X’s several tactics, Martin Luther King’s movement was made more impactful and successful.

Martin Luther King Jr said,“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”. In the late 1960s, racial tension was high, African Americans were not given the right to vote, the right to a fair education, and the right to a fair judgement. This then led to the separation of schools and the destruction of a normal livelihood. Dr.King and Malcolm X, two men in the face of oppression rose up to challenge the racial barrier, thus changing the world forever. Although Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X seem to have mutual respect and an equal understanding of the inequality, their philosophies were quite different from each other.