Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Two Civil Rights Leaders

Introduction

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, many leaders emerged that captured the attention of the American public. During this period, the leaders used different tactics in order to achieve change. Two strong civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, were very well-known African American individuals throughout history. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X helped shape American black and white culture today. They fought for what they stood for but in extremely different ways. Both of these two leaders seemed to have different views on how to go about gaining their and their peers' freedom. King spoke with integrity, amity, and intelligence, leading the black community to a peaceful and nonviolent approach to the issue, believing that it would allow blacks to achieve equality with white Americans.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: Two Civil Rights Leaders

While Malcolm X seemed to take a more pessimistic approach, he believed achieving equality was nearly impossible. He spoke with violence and advocated for a radical revolution. Both of these leaders' beliefs were formed in their youth. While Martin Luther King Jr. followed his dream of an integrated nation, Malcolm X aimed to completely break apart and separate the nation. Malcolm X and King both believed in getting equal rights by "any means necessary" in ways such as separatism. They both strived to achieve equality for blacks under the law, more specifically, voting rights, desegregation, and more representation in government and politics.

Yet, the lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were completely different. Martin Luther King was born in a loving and religious family in Atlanta. He grew up in an integrated neighborhood where everyone knew each other and everyone talked to each other no matter what their race was. This upbringing gave him a unique perspective on racial harmony and the potential for peaceful coexistence.

On the other hand, Malcolm X was raised in a completely different environment. He was born in an underprivileged neighborhood with little educational support. Despite these challenges, he was very intelligent since he was a child. One event that impacted him deeply was when he told his teacher he wanted to be a lawyer, but the teacher dismissed his ambition, telling him that there was no such thing as a black lawyer. This response made him realize the depth of segregation and fueled his anger towards systemic racism. Malcolm was born into a life filled with anxiety, fear, and anger.

Different Approaches to the Civil Rights Movement

Even during violent times, King would never act out. King wanted all races to come together for hatred and violence to be put to a halt. He believed that peaceful protest was the most effective way to bring about change and win the hearts and minds of the broader public. Malcolm X had a different perspective regarding integration. He felt that it would destroy both the black and the white man and that American blacks should be more concerned with helping each other. He believed that blacks should start by giving the same race self-respect first. Malcolm did not agree with what King had to say; he felt that King's dream was not a dream but a nightmare.

Legacy and Impact

Although they were two very different people, they were both aiming for the same thing. So they used whatever power they had to make a voice for themselves, though sometimes Malcolm’s way of protesting was more of a brawl that people tried to stay away from. Their speeches and rallies often led to protests, speeches, and eventually the assassinations of both men. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, and Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965. I honor both these two men with high appreciation, because not only did they impact the citizens of America, but they also changed the perspective of the whole world and gave us a different view of the story. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were leaders who fought for their rights and their hope for peace.

References

• King, M. L. (1963). I Have a Dream. Washington, D.C.: Lincoln Memorial.
• X, M., & Haley, A. (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Grove Press.
• Carson, C. (2001). A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Grand Central Publishing.
• Marable, M. (2011). Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. New York: Viking.