...Thesis Statement: In Malcolm X The Autobiography and Martin Luther King “Letter from Birmingham Jail” influenced the African American through hatred, nonviolence and religion. Firstly, in Malcolm X Autobiography one can see the expression of hatred and violence that influenced the African American. Malcom X talked about White Americans in a negative light. Malcolm X referred to White American as being evil and the devil. Malcolm X says; “[…] which opened my eyes gradually, then wider and wider, to how the whole world’s white men had indeed acted like devils, pillaging and raping and bleeding and draining the whole world’s non-white people.” (579). Malcolm X also talks about how other countries hate white people. Malcolm X says; “’Kill the foreign white devils!’ was the 1901 Chinese war cry in the Boxer Rebellion.” (580). One can see that Malcolm X is showing that other countries even hate white people and that they are evil. One can see that Malcolm X is using appeal to emotion to help influence the African American....
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...Malcolm X is evoked as one of the greatest and influential African American figures, at the same time degraded for the violence he provoked as well as his black supremacy teachings. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the other hand, is recognized as the greatest influential character in the black Civil Rights Movement, with teachings of non-violent resistance and equal rights for blacks and whites. After spending several years in prison, Malcolm converted to the Muslim religion and utilized newspaper columns, radio, and television to convey the Nation of Islam's (NOI) message. King strived to gain credentials from his audiences by everything from his tone to quoting biblical figures. Malcolm X was not able to influence the black community as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Due to their differences in childhood and religion, their philosophies differed, causing supporters to accord more with the statements of Martin Luther King, Jr. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Earl Little, a Baptist minister; and to Louise Norton Little, a housewife busy with the family's eight children. Earl Little was a supported of Marcus Garvey, the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). This prompted the Little family with death threats and by age four, Malcolm's Lansing, Michigan home was burned to the ground. Two years later, Earl Little was murdered by a white mob. Louise trying to keep the family in order, suffered an emotional breakdown and was...
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...Malcolm X A Controversial Leader Iris Robinson Central Michigan University PSC 785 Dr. Robert Boggs Abstract This paper is going analyze the leadership traits, behavior and power that made Malcolm X the type of leader that he was. Malcolm X was considered a great leader to some people because of what he believed in. Malcolm X was a very controversial leader because of his views on different subject. This paper will show how Malcolm X went from follower to a leader. Malcolm X possess a lot of good trait that people look for in good leader such as motivator, responsible, assertive, self-confidence, firm and task orientate and most of all honesty. Leadership can be defined as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Leadership is also a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. There are certain trait that a good leader must possessed such as excellent communication skills, be direct, be fair, capable and kind yet firm. Good leader also possess certain personal qualities. A good leader needs to have an exemplary character. A good leader should be enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. A good leader should be confident. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. Good leaders...
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...was Muslim, his name was Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X. Malcolm X got his point across and successfully improved the Civil rights of African Americans with the support of not only African Americans but Muslims too. There will be three focal points I will be discussing in this research paper. The first one being the nation of Islam made a huge difference in the popularity growth of Malcolm X which allowed Malcolm to have a louder voice in public and be able to speak to the people. The second one consist of Malcolm being smart with how he approached communicating with the people, he spoke and...
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...The Autobiography of Malcolm X Three-hundred and sixty degrees is said to represent the sum total of knowledge in which God has. Consequently, if there was a man that made a 360 degree turn of his life, that man would be: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. He was a man who learned early the true meaning of survival of the fittest, actually going from street menace to Minister. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley, reveals the factual story of Malcolm Little and several uneasy transitions through his life that seemed to only make him stronger, emerging as an unlikely leader in America at a time when black leaders of his fiery style and impeccable speaking ability were uncommon. Unfortunately, like other leaders throughout history, Malcolm X was eventually assassinated, but his story lives on. A closer look provides the insight that in a desperate time of need, the trained mind of a street hustler envisioned the advantage of taking on and implementing the right opportunity to make a significant difference in society. While Malcolm X loved the religion of Islam, he still used it, maybe without even knowing it, as a scapegoat to start a movement towards a response to racism and Christianity with the ultimate goal of establishing a new identity for African Americans. Malcolm’s early childhood included constant attacks on his family from the white supremacy group, the KKK. Eventually Malcolm was plucked from his family, sent into foster care...
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...Martin & Malcolm & America In this paper, there will be a primary focus on two of the most prominent leaders during the civil rights era. These two leaders are Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The paper will discuss how these extraordinary men made their phenomenal contributions to America by offering to bring about their own political, racial, and social views that were affecting the people of color. Their ability to voice their strong opinions about the injustices that were taking place among African Americans and the oppositions that were before them gave them the durability to prolong the fight for freedom and justice. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were both men of purpose, dignity, and pride. The ongoing effort they gave for the people and to the people helped them to earn the respect that has followed them for decades. For that reason, this paper will reflect the ways in which both men contributed to the African American culture and the shaping of America in an effort to bring about a change that was needed to move forward. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X had different political philosophies; however, they both went about using different methods to campaign for civil rights. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a champion of non-violent protests and peace marches. His speeches entranced both blacks and whites into action for the civil rights movement. MLK knew that if the blacks worked for peace, peacefully, then equality was inevitable. “What they...
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...Rhetorical Analysis of the “Ballot or the Bullet” and “Somebody Blew Up America” The purpose of this essay to compare and contrast the rhetoric in Amira Baraka’s “Somebody Blew up America” and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet in regards to ethos, pathos, and logos. Amiri Baraka, born Everett LeRoi Jones, was an African-American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays, and music criticism. Baraka read his poem “Somebody Blew up America?” on the September 11th attacks and was heavily criticized for anti-Semitism and attacks on public figures. His poem is free verse and has no set structure but maintains its rhythmic elements for oral sharing. The poem was meant to be shared orally so that Baraka would be able to emphasize and share lines specifically for an audience. Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was an African-American Muslim minister...
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...of Malcolm X. They were present at a rally in New York City on that tragic day in February 1965. Malcolm X was a grassroots leader, and the stories that my grandparents shared with me was impressed by his honesty and devotion to his idea of self-emancipation (Sales Jr., 1994, p. 207). His charismatic leadership helped him involve street elements in the struggle for Black liberation. My grandparents belonged to that social stratum, as well as their friends who also were present at that rally. From the stories I heard about him, I considered him with all sincerity of my heart to be a great teacher whom I revered for his morality. He did not receive any formal education. He challenged me, a person in his early twenties, with his idea of a better world in which we all were destined to live. He has verbalized some of my thoughts in an open way. His speech was not wordy but very precise. From his speeches, I was able to get a better understanding of the Black history. Whatever he said, he was honest; I believed his words as I read his work and was influenced by his awakening forces; I wanted to transform myself within the framework of Malcolm’s civic movement. I enjoyed learning and reading about Malcolm X because his words were truthful and trustworthy. It felt as if he was talking to me personally. It was a great and unforgettable feeling. He expressed his...
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...How Childhood Can Impact Adult Viewpoints Dawn Bradshaw ENG/220 September 7, 2015 Instructor Tracy Banis How Childhood Can Impact Adult Viewpoints Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were great civil rights icons. They both worked diligently for the equality of blacks, but on different platforms. When people think of Dr. King, they think of nonviolence, preaching love thy neighbor, and the integration of blacks and whites. On the other hand, Malcolm X brings thoughts of militant force, the infamous phrase, “by any means necessary” (Carson, 2005), violence, and segregation. While Martin and Malcolm’s common goal was fighting for the justice and equality of civil rights for blacks, their approach and viewpoints differed on the matter, and this is perhaps due to their early childhood and young adulthood experiences in racial relations. Both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X’s fathers were politically active Baptist preachers, but growing up in the 1920s was an entirely different experience for them, respectively. While Martin as an adolescent lived a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle, Malcolm suffered great tragedies. As the family slept, the home interrupted the pitch black night with blazes of fire set by two white men (Hatch 2001). Luckily, no one was hurt. Then, Malcolm’s father was brutally and savagely ripped away from him and his family by the hands, he believes, of the Ku Klux Klan (Hatch 2001). Subsequently, after losing the head of the...
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...monotheistic religions, such as, Judaism and Christianity; originated in the Middle East. There are many similarities and differences between Islam and other religions, such as Christianity and Judaism. Muslims have beliefs and rituals that have been practiced and followed throughout the world. Many times the religion of Islam has been misunderstood and misrepresented. This paper will explore the foundation and beginnings of Islam and discuss the role it has played in the lives of three significant social leaders in America: Malcom X (civil rights), Loon (rap music/entertainment, and Muhammad Ali (sports). Islam is based on the belief of one god. Islam began in the sixth century. Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia, was growing as the new business center with a new population of wealthy people, but also with a growing division between the rich and poor. This changing situation in Mecca challenged the traditional system of Arable tribal values and social security. At that time, appeared the prophet Mohammad who preached the messages from the book of the Quran, which is the core of the religion, Islam. It was calling everybody to return to the worship of the true God and to fairness in the community. Muslims believe that God sent a revelation first to Moses (found in Hebrew Scripture, the Torah), then to Jesus Christ (the Gospel), and finally to the prophet Mohammad (through the Quran). Muhammad had told his followers that he is not the founder of a new religion, but a religious...
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...read or write. It is said that the illiterate don’t play an important part in society. The great Malcolm X stated “I use literacy as my biggest weapon”. If anyone has heard Malcolm X speak, they could definitely tell he was an intelligent and educated man. Being an educated man with influence over many people was a very big threat to the community controlled by white folks. Malcolm Smith dropped out of school after the 8th grade and started his life down the crime road. He was 20 years old when he got caught stealing and was sent to prison. In jail he met an inmate named Bimbi who encouraged him to read as much as he could and take classes offered through the prison. After prison, he continued to read books on religion, history, and philosophy. When Malcolm joined the nation of Islam, he changed his name to Malcolm X and told the brothers to get an education because, “Education is the passport to the future”. Malcolm was not a man who believed that the problem of the African Americans would be solved through a peaceful, quiet means and nuances, he believes the problem has graduated through the centuries and has come to stage when the assertion of African Americans’ existence as humans has to be forcefully done or never. His methods were mainly campaigns and speeches aimed at restoring the dignity of the black man, his confidence in himself and a complete freedom as Americans. Malcolm X had a very big impact on society, and it started by taking courses in prison where...
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...persons who are cap- able of being influenced by discourse and of being mediators of change.” The audience that Malcolm X is addressing in his speech are black people, because he specifically called on them to make changes. “Mr. Moderator, Reverend Cleage, Brother Lomax, brothers and sisters, and friends and I see some enemies.” Despite acknowledging that some 'enemies' were present, the 'enemies' he referred to are white people, he only did so to let them know that he is aware that they are listening, and as a way to invoke fear in them. Nonetheless, by Bizter definition the audience in this situation blacks are the mediators of change. As previously mentioned blacks didn't have full rights and often dealt with discrimination, thus being easy to...
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...Malcolm X Malcolm X in my eyes can be one of the most inspiring human in anyone’s life. When he was young he was adventurous and did not stay tied down to one city or town. He was born in May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The family had soon moved to Lansing, Michigan where Malcolm spent most of his childhood. Soon after Malcolm dropped out of junior high, his sister Ella opened an opportunity for him to leave Lansing and go to Roxbury, Boston. Ella was a strong independent black woman, who supported Malcolm in any time of need. In Roxbury he meets Shorty, who becomes Malcolm’s best friend; also the man who got him his first job as a shoe shiner. This is when he first gets his experience in dealing with white customers. Slowly but steadily learning street knowledge from Shorty. Later he would move again to Harlem. There he met Sammy, who was a pimp. Sammy was able to read women like a book. Malcolm would learn how and use it to read people later on. He was fast on his feet and adapting and taking in anything he can benefit from to survive in Harlem. Soon after West Indian Archie ran him out of Harlem because of a bet that neither was sure of who lost or won. He was well known gangster who ran the numbers racket. This is the beginning as to where Malcolm’s life would change. He ran away to back to Boston and starting burglarizing the neighborhood. February 1946 Malcolm was sentenced to jail and sent to Charlestown state prison along with shorty. They had an eight to ten...
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...Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X grew up in different environments. King was raised in a comfortable middle-class family where education was stressed. On the other hand, Malcolm X came from and underprivileged home. He was a self-taught man who received little schooling and rose to greatness on his own intelligence and determination. Martin Luther King was born into a family whose name in Atlanta was well established. Despite segregation, Martin Luther King's parents ensured that their child was secure and happy. Malcolm X, for the most part, believed that non-violence and integration was a trick by the whites to keep blacks in their places. He was furious at white racism and encouraged his followers through his speeches to rise up and protest against their white enemies. After Malcolm X broke away from Elijah Mohammed, this change is reflected in his more moderate speeches. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King's childhoods had powerful influences on the men and their speeches. Malcolm X was brought up in an atmosphere of violence. During his childhood, Malcolm X suffered not only from abuse by whites, but also from domestic violence. His father beat his mother and both of them abused their children. His mother was forced to raise eight children during the depression. After his mother had a mental breakdown, the children were all placed in foster homes. Malcolm X's resentment was increased as he suffered through the ravages of integrated schooling. Although an intelligent...
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...Racial Equality in a modern society Racial Equality Brian Dugas University of Phoenix In the decades previous to the nineteen fifties, African Americans were the subject of more discrimination than any other race or religion in all aspects of being treated both as a person, and a race. These people were up until almost the mid 1900’s as slaves, even though slavery was abolished long before, even in the mid 1900’s, African Americans were still considered “second class citizens”, not seen as equals in the eyes of others. It was during the 1950’s that African Americans, and other racial authorative groups collaborated to change their status in society. This challenge of fighting against discrimination and for racial equality among racial groups became one of the most important times in United States history; it was the beginning of what we know as the Civil Rights Movement. The fight for racial equality started long before the 1950’s, in the early 1900’s, the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) was created by Booker T. Washington, and Webb Du Bios, Mr. Washington was actually an ex-slave. As the NAACP grew in numbers and support, the NAACP also published its own newspaper, showing progress, and enticing people to come forward to support for their rights. One of its first victories was the laws of segregation in housing, and also the right of African Americans to jury duty. The NAACP helped in establishing other groups...
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