...Stark Differences Throughout history there have been many great leaders who have made an immense impact. However, none of them can compare to the enormous amount of impact that Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had. Both men displayed a massive amount of courage while trying to put an end to racism when no one else dared to. They both stood up for what they believed in no matter how much they were ridiculed. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were two of the most recognized leaders in history who both had the same objective of putting a stop to racism but had several differences in their background, philosophy, and influences. Although they were alike in many aspects, the location and setting in which they were raised caused a distinction in the way they led. When Malcolm was six years old his father was killed by the Black Legionaries. This played an enormous role in his mother’s break down, which put her in a mental institution. Malcolm’s mother, Louise, could not handle raising eight children during the Great Depression, especially without their father. This is what led to six of the children becoming wards of the state. One of those children was Malcolm, who soon thereafter began to live a life of crime including drugs, con games, and thievery. Just before he turned twenty-one years old Malcolm was sentenced to eight to ten years in prison for burglary. In prison, Malcolm had to educate himself, and developed his debating skills, and pledged to replace black self-hate...
Words: 1119 - Pages: 5
...2015 The Great Racial Debate; and Differences of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. for Racial Equality America in the 1960s was marked by an era of unfortunate segregation, violence and unrest towards African Americans in the country. They faced often-brutal violence and a government that had forgotten them in regards to human rights. Blacks needed something to be done about the harm and inequality they were facing at the time. Fortunately, two men in particular rose to the occasion to fight for what they believed in. They focused on achieving the same goal of a better society for Blacks. However, they differed greatly in regards to how they sought to complete this goal. While Malcolm X often viewed the problem as a war and wanted to ensure that his people would have the means and the power to fight back against the harmful Whites. Martin Luther King Jr. believed it would be more beneficial to both parties if the violence ceased to exist. The struggle for racial equality caused Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. to seek separate and contradictory methods of achieving what they felt was right for African Americans. One main difference between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. was their distinctive childhoods. The two men were raised under dissimilar circumstances and environments. It can be supposed that the way they grew up directly relates to the views they had on the racial problems and the way they dealt with them. Malcolm X (1925 – 1965) had a terrible way...
Words: 2834 - Pages: 12
...Malcolm X & MLK Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were great ambassadors for the black community in their time spent on this earth. Even though both of their styles differed, they both played a huge role in the fight for African American freedom and segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. took a conservative approach while Malcolm X took a violent approach. Their styles differed so much to the point that Malcolm X spoke out about why he thought Martin Luther Kings’ strategy was not good. Martin Luther King wanted for the world to stay at peace while trying to bring both the blacks and whites together. Meanwhile Malcolm X took the approach of wanting blacks to fight whites for our freedom. Despite how both of these incredible men decided to do what was best for the African American race at the time, it affected it in a special way that has carried on to today’s world and how it is operated differently from how it was before these two men came into existence. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great black civil rights leader. The spot of his death on April 4, 1968 outside of his room in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN is still a historic landmark. His birthday, which is January 15, 1929, is a national holiday. When Dr. King was young, he attended segregated public school and graduated from high school when he was 15 years old. After finishing college (in which he received numerous degrees from several universities) he became a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama. Also, he was...
Words: 1103 - Pages: 5
...and violence against people who sought to end it. In contrast, the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement chose the tactic of nonviolence as a tool to dismantle the institutionalized racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality in the south. The movement was guided based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of nonviolence and passive resistance. The success of the American Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality in the United States is a testament to the determination of millions of African Americans who fought against discrimination in the 1960s. Instead of using the alternative strategy of using an armed uprising such as one of Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr. championed and thrived on the strategy of protesting for equal rights without using violence. King's non-violent approach was inspired and derived from the teachings of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu religious leader, nationalist, and social reformer who revoked the British occupation of India through acts of civil disobedience and nonviolent protests. History is the best example on how acts of non-violence has brought social justice for millions across the globe. Prominent individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma...
Words: 1196 - Pages: 5
...Contrast Essay | Dr.Martin Luther King vs. Malcom X | By John Green | ------------------------------------------------- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are also two of the most famous civil rights leaders even though their methods were different they both had the same goal which was equal rights for African Americans. They were both religious leaders but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was Christian and Malcolm X Islamic The first notable difference between them is that they came from very different backgrounds . Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in peaceful environment while Malcom X threw hardship and pain. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. King, both a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist, had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. Martin was a pacific man, his father was a southern Baptist preacher; and he as a young boy decided that was where his path was leading as well. While being a preacher he decided he wanted to be a civil rights leader, which began his journey as a well-known leader. His way of protesting was subtle yet effective. Martin’s long speeches often caught wandering people, and drew them into the crowd. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and is the youngest person ever to receive it. He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee; which led to many riots by the African American community. Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925...
Words: 451 - Pages: 2
...influence the African American community. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X two men having experienced different things in their lives held different beliefs and morals and influenced people based upon those things. Martin Luther King Jr., came from a Baptist home with a fairly easy childhood, he was educated when he was younger and attended Morehouse College, an all black college, where he had several role models that shaped his beliefs. Malcolm X, on the other hand, experienced a hard childhood and used drugs and committed other crimes in his early adult years. While in prison he found a father figure in Elijah Muhammad and joined the Nation of Islam. There are many differences between Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X in the way they acted and influenced the African American community. This paper will look to describe their differing views and analyze their actions and their lives. In most cases a person’s childhood has a lasting affect on the rest of a person’s life. In comparing Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X this seems to be the case. Martin Luther King Jr., was born January 19, 1929 and was raised by a strong supportive family. He had a somewhat privileged life and “never experienced the feeling of not having the basic necessities of life.”[1] His father “was a community leader in Atlanta and pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church” and his mother “was a school teacher and an accomplished pianist.”[2] Although King was well off economically he was also...
Words: 3427 - Pages: 14
...in the 1950’s through the 1960’s to achieve equality between the minority and the majority in the United States. During this time, many African-Americans were restricted the rights to enact in laws such as equal opportunity in employment, housing, education, and even the right to vote. The goal that the African-Americans had hoped to achieve, was that the Jim Crow Laws would be inevitably suppressed. The Jim Crow Laws, or Black Codes, was presented to the states by government officials stating that local laws could enforce racial segregation in Southern United States. African-Americans were forced to use separate bathrooms and water fountains labeled “black”, they were told to sit in the back of the bus...
Words: 2015 - Pages: 9
...Influential and Morally Different African Americans Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are both household names of men who fought diligently for African American rights in the postmodernism 1960’s. The 1954 Supreme Court ruling favored that segregated educational structure left blacks at a disadvantage. This was the spark that triggered uprising in the following years. Malcolm X and King Jr’s emphasis on their beliefs is evident in the works and actions that they have done through their lives. Their philosophies do differ from one another, as we will see in “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and with “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. Both men had different approaches and desires for the black community as well as different upbringings that influenced them. We will see how such differences are reflected throughout their work to get a better understanding on how they compare and contrast. Known as Malcolm Little, the Omaha-born future activist suffered an impoverished start in life due to his father’s early demise. Prior to his death, Malcolm’s father was a “follower of Marcus Garvey, who instilled racial pride among the masses of African Americans” (Lauter 3088). To make end’s meet, Malcolm became a drug dealer and thief while living in Harlem, which landed him time in jail. His experience in jail and childhood shaped him and encouraged him in to becoming the activists that he was known for. Malcolm “replaced his own last name with “X” which stands for the African name his ancestors...
Words: 1327 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 1387 - Pages: 6
...Malcolm X Versus Martin Luther King Junior’s Methods for Fighting Against Injustice As we all may notice in history, there are no two great men that are alike. With contrasting personalities, both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. play an important role in American history. They were prominent African American figures who stood up for what they believed in, however, they went about acting on their vision in separate ways. Their many beliefs may have stemmed from their childhood and influenced or represented their call-to-action. King grew up in a middle class family and was well educated, whereas, Malcolm X experienced hostile situations as a child and was underprivileged with limited schooling. Malcolm X’s despair about life was reflected in his angry, pessimistic belief that equality is impossible because whites have no moral conscience, whereas King felt that blacks and whites should be united and live together in peace. Although these leaders had the same end results in mind, their means, philosophies, and principles differed. Their intentions were delivered in different styles and purposes – their willingness to employ or not employ violence to achieve their goals. Even though they differed greatly on the philosophies they used to obtain their goal, they shared a common struggle. Their same goal in mind was to achieve equality between all races. As both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. sought to fight against injustice, compared to King, Malcolm X fails to appropriately...
Words: 1072 - Pages: 5
...The comparison of Martin Luther King’s and Malcolm X's movement’s. I would like to give these two person’s autobiographies first in order to compare them selves as persons. I think, that would help to understand the ideas, they were representing. Those biographies I have found in internet. So. Martin Luther King and his movement. Martin Luter Kingwas a husband, a father, a preacher-and the preeminent leader of a movement that continues to transform America and the world. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the twentieth century's most influential men and lived one of its most extraordinary lives. Now, in a special volume commissioned and authorized by his family, here is the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr., drawn from a comprehensive collection of writings, recordings, and documentary materials, many of which have never before been made public. Written in his own words, this historymaking autobiography is Martin Luther King: the mild-mannered, inquisitive child and student who chafed under and eventually rebelled against segregation; the dedicated young minister who continually questioned the depths of his faith and the limits of his wisdom; the loving husband and father who sought to balance his family's needs with those of a growing, nationwide movement; and the reflective, world-famous leader who was fired by a vision of equality for people everywhere. One of the reasons, why M.L. King became so popular and could get so far, was the fact that he graduated...
Words: 966 - Pages: 4
...Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and Malcolm X were two fortunate African American leaders who fought for the freedom of Black America. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of a kind just like his “I Have a Dream “speech which explained the injustice and violation of freedom towards African Americans even after slavery had ended it also explains how he wants both African Americans and whites to unite as one. As to Malcolm X, his most famous speech was “God’s Judgement” which also explained the injustice towards the African American race but leans more towards the violent path rather than the peaceful way. Both characters have similarities and differences between their speeches like the imagery they each portray, the tone/mood they present, and the type of character that they each show throughout the speech. The imagery that both speeches portrayed was in a way much different. For Example, MLK’ s “I Have a Dream” speech was intended to portray a world where both African Americans and whites were united and together without judgment and...
Words: 543 - Pages: 3
...02 March 2016 MLK Jr vs Malcolm X Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had many similarities and differences when it came to their roles in the civil rights movement. A huge similarity of the two is they fought hard for their people with getting treated bad. They both wanted to see black people in the best position possible. Risking their lives everyday for the rights they felt they deserve. They were both assassinated because of their leadership role positions they played during this time. Even though they had different beliefs/religions, both their religions played a significant role in their approaches. They both had the greatest impact on the civil rights movement during the 1960s. One of the main reasons why Malcolm X and MLK Jr is different is their approach to the civil rights movement. While MLK Jr wanted to keep the peace and have a non-violent protest, Malcolm X was very opposite. Malcolm X felt that if they wanted to be violent then so should his people. Also, MLK Jr thought more of people being equal and Malcolm X was more for his people being in high power and being controlled by themselves. Also, their religion was a extremely huge difference and had an impact on the way they went about things. MLK Jr grew up in a Christian home where his parents stressed necessary things such as education and religion. Malcolm X converted to Islam after being arrested for drugs and burglary. His outlook on things were far more violent than MLK Jr. MLK Jr believed that black...
Words: 599 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 1181 - Pages: 5
...leaders of the 1960’s, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, held diametrically opposed political philosophies. King was a pacifist, in the tradition of Gandhi before him; Malcolm X was a radical, an advocate of violence. Both, however, shared a common goal—real freedom for African Americans. Malcolm X’s speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” was a direct response to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech of a month before. Malcolm X, once associated with the Black Panthers, and a member of the Black Muslim movement, wrote “The Ballot or the Bullet” not only as a response to Martin Luther King Jr.’s pacifism, but because he was frustrated with white dilly-dallying in reaching a decision on black rights in America. Political debate had reached an impasse, and Malcolm wanted to make it clear that if the Congress couldn’t come to a decision, black Americans would take matters into their own hands. He did not share Martin’s pacifist inclinations, and he promised a violent seizure of civil rights. An examination of Malcolm X’s speech will reveal that it is one of the most powerful speeches ever written. It is, in every respect, the equal of Martin’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It is eloquent, it is memorable, and it is poetic. Its tone, unlike Martin’s conciliatory speech, is militant. He appeals to the emotions of his young audience, rousing them to anger; and in the same breath, strikes fear into the hearts of his white listeners. Malcolm uses several methods...
Words: 1064 - Pages: 5
