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. Malcolm X believed it was vital for Black Americans to learn about economics and finances. Malcolm X said, “So, the economic philosophy of black nationalism puts a burden upon the black men learning how to control his economy” (Document G). He thought it was best to keep the money cycling throughout their community. Unlike King, Malcolm disliked boycotts and protests because he believed it took money away from the community they live in, “in order for us to control the economy of out own community, we have to learn the importance of spending money in the community where we live” (Document G). Malcolm X …show more content…
King, Malcolm X’s philosophies involved violence. Malcolm X believed that violence was a necessary action in the civil rights movement. In an interview he stated, “I believe we should protect ourselves by any means necessary when we are attacked by racists” (Document K). Malcolm X wasn’t pro-violence, he just wanted a fair fight. During this time, the KKK used violent methods to force African Americans into submission. “Nonviolence is only preached to black Americans, and I don’t go along with anyone who wants to teach our people nonviolence until someone at the same time is teaching our enemy to be nonviolent” (Document K), being pacifist wouldn’t help black Americans during this time period because of how violent everyone else
In the speech, On African Self-Hatred, Malcolm X says, “I have only said that black people who are the victims of organized violence perpetrated upon us by the Klan, the Citizens Council, and many other forms should defend ourselves,” (X 344). Malcolm X believes that African American’s need to defend themselves physically against the racial hatred and violence that is directed towards them. Malcolm gives another powerful statement in his speech, “But I think the black man this country, above and beyond people all over the world, will be more justified when he stands up and starts to protect himself, no matter how many necks he has to break and heads he has to crack…” (X 344). Malcolm’s ideal is that in order for African Americans to find a fair and safe foothold in the society of America, then they must defend themselves.
The number one reason why I think Malcolm X’s philosophy made the most sense for America in the 1960’s is because he is a realist. He knows what it takes to make things great. So this means that he sees things the way they are in the world. In document K it states that Malcolm X does not favor violence but condemns it when necessary.
Malcolm X believed violence was necessary for protecting yourself. He also wanted African-Americans to have the same rights as whites, but they wanted to maintain separation. King and Malcolm's viewpoints were both coherent. First, Martin Luther had a philosophy that America should be integrated.
Malcolm X believed that black people have been oppressed for so long as their patience has been tested through time, and Malcolm X believed that enough “time has already run out” and therefore Malcolm X believed in the “any means necessary”
While controversial, these ideas were deeply principled and reflected Malcolm X's commitment to defending the rights and dignity of African Americans. Martin Luther King Jr., on the other hand, believed in the power of nonviolent resistance as a means of achieving civil rights. King understood that nonviolent resistance could be a slow and difficult process, requiring patience, strategy, and a strong commitment to nonviolence. Which causes him to fall into pragmatism. Iy contrast, Malcolm X's belief of self-defense and the use of violence when necessary was often seen as more confrontational and less pragmatic.
" Malcom X did not like how African Americans were being treated in America, It was a problem and he realized that and knew it needed to change. In relizing this, Malcom X decided to fight for a change for African Americans in America as in paragraph 5 Malcome x stated, “I don't see an American dream I see an American nightmare" Malcolm X would not stop until change happened he did care what it took including violence, Malcolm X would never ask for a fight, but he would never back down from one in paragraph 7 Malcolm X stated “It'll be Molotov cocktails this month hand grenades
Malcolm X became one the most crucial world wide speaker for the Black Muslims. His debating abilities against white and black rivals helped spread the organization's message. He uses his strong and violent talks to remind black people that they should not be following the white man’s footsteps because they were already abandoned by the white man and that they should not be discouraged by them. He believes that black people are blinded by the supremacy of the white man and that they (Africans) believe that the color white is greater or higher than the color black. Malcolm X is a prominent figure in history.
Malcolm X's ideas for economics were more practical and allowed Black communities to grow stronger. Malcolm’s theory was that Blacks needed to stop spending their money in White communities and put it back into the black community. He said, "... we have to learn how to own and operate the businesses of our community…. When you take money out of the community you live… the neighborhood in which you spend it becomes wealthier and wealthier, and the neighborhood out of which you take your money becomes poorer and poorer." (Doc 7)
Martin Luther King's philosophy made the most sense for America in the 1960s. When King talks about blacks and whites, he wants them to be racially inclined, Malcolm X hoped for the opposite. Martin Luther King yearned for the exact circumstance for each person, while Malcolm X expected everyone to be separate, but still have the same rights. Martin Luther King’s views made the most sense, but Malcolm X’s views on certain things seemed more right than Kings. Martin Luther King aspired for everyone to be united.
Malcolm X was the critic America produced. Robin Kelly explains how his past is something that is gruesome, but also common amongst the Black community. Malcolm X dealt with the history that produced him through becoming a critic while following Islam. Racism is the reason his father, and multiple uncles died, it is the reason “he was told he could not be a lawyer” (Stewart, Nov 9); and the barriers created by racism put him in foster care, which led him to become a pimp before being incarcerated. Cohen attributed the 1920’s black economy as establishing the New Negro, and that contributes to Malcolm X’s belief in creating an independent, African American driven, economy.
Martin Luther King Junior and Malcolm X were two leaders of their time that were committed to the struggle for civil rights and equality for black people. Despite their fight for the same struggle, they had different ideas about the best way to achieve these goals. Martin Luther King Junior believed that nonviolent protest methods were crucial in the pursuit of equality for all people in order to build a beloved community. King offers the best solution to the needs and problems of the black community over Malcolm X. Malcolm X advocated for violent protest methods whereas King’s means of non-violent resistance was the more effective way to bring about change all while promoting love and reconciliation against forces of evil. Martin Luther
Malcolm X gave black America a face during the situation, as he saw his people as an independent and self-sustaining community when separated from any sort of discrimination. He embraced his black culture and history, encouraging young black people to take pride in their heritage and to reject the white standards of beauty and success that had been imposed upon them. This was something that Martin Luther King never had a thought on doing. This focus on cultural and historical identity was a significant departure from the assimilationist policies of the mainstream civil rights movement. As stated in paragraph #2, Martin Luther King’s protests were being put to an end in white communities because those who did not approve of black rights utilized fear tactics to scare the protestors away from their posts.
The civil rights movement of the sixties was a very important time for American history. Many strong leaders emerged during this time. Each one fighting for equal rights in our country. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are considered to be the for fathers of the Civil rights movement in America. His grandfather was a preacher at Ebenezer baptist church until his death.
MLK and Malcolm X both wanted equality but in different ways. Martin Luther King believed in nonviolence to end segregation. However, Malcolm X believed in segregation; where African Americans would govern themselves without bothering the whites. But which idea was better for society? Malcolm X’s philosophy offers a variety of solutions for
Malcolm X and his ideals are arguably a representation of the transition from the early 1950 's non-violent movement for integration to a more aggressive black power movement. Evidence of this is shown through powerful strands of his novel “The Ballot or the Bullet” including when he writes, “I don 't mean go out and get violent, but at the same time you should never be non-violent unless you run into some non-violence.” (Malcolm 439). In writing that members of the civil rights movement should never be non-violent he does so facetiously. This excerpt indicates a call for violence as a more powerful method for achieving the equality he feels they deserve.