Martin Luther King And Malcolm X example essay topic

Methods for Equality Do we live in a black and white world, or does a grey area exist in between? On the issue of civil rights equality, and particularly African-American's rights, it seems very clear cut that it is a black and white world. In the 1960's the African-American's began to stand up for their rights under rallying leaders. Although Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were both prominent African-American activists, they used different methods to achieve their goals. Martin Luther King fought for African American rights by using peaceful marches, and his powerful persuasive speeches. King fought not just for African American rights, but rather for many races that were discriminated against in the 1950's ("African Americans, it's not just Black and White") Dr. King was able to rally black and white supporters by using his influential voice.

"Injustice anywhere", said King, "is a threat to justice everywhere" (McClenaghan 2). King used his powerful way with words, and marches as methods of demonstrating equal rights. In 1965, Dr. King headed a march for African American voting rights in Alabama. This march was met Symons 2 with equal force by the police and white supremacists. Verbal insults and violence were common adversaries for King in his marches, yet he remained peaceful (McClenaghan 139). King rallied 1500 activists, of all ethnicities, and then marched outside Selma, Alabama until met by state troopers.

Dr. King however did not try to break their barricade, but rather knelt in prayer. They soon turned back, and marched home ("King, Martin Luther, Jr. ). In 1963, King made a famous march with thousands of supporters on Washington D.C. At the capitol, King made his famous "I have a dream" speech (McClenaghan 553).

"I have a dream", King proclaimed, "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character ("African Americans, it's not just Black and White"). These few situations exemplify King's pacifist character while being physically and mentally bombarded with racial insults and barriers. King never responded with violence or force in his civil rights campaign. Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X was also a moving speaker and influential man in civil right equality. Malcolm X's rough childhood built the foundation for his militant fight for equality. His father was brutally murdered when he was a child, causing his mother to suffer a nervous breakdown that led her to a mental hospital.

These events inevitably left Malcolm X with a chip on his shoulder at a young age (Mcelrath). In New Symons 3 York City, in 1964, X was heard proclaiming, "I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment" (Mcelrath). Malcolm X's belief in the Muslim religion formed a basis for his violent actions. Malcolm became appointed minister and spokesman for the Nation of Islam, a religious Muslim group founded by Elijah Muhammad, based around the teachings of the Koran.

Muhammad's teachings accused white people of trying to keep blacks from gaining political and social prominence, so they could adhere to the "top of the food chain" (Mcelrath). Malcolm was closely watched by the government, gaining attention for his violence. X declared, "We are nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us" (Mcelrath). X's violent way of protesting African American rights became very popular at the time. Many blacks understood this concept of fighting violence with violence. In 1964, X formed the Organization of Afro-American Unity.

This organization became noted for fighting for black institutions and trying to put blacks into politics. Malcolm greatly influenced the Civil rights movement in the last year of his life. (Mcelrath) Black activists in the Congress of Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee began to embrace many of his ideas that he brought to attention in Selma, Alabama. Followers began to Symons 4 support his notions on" black power", armed self-defense, and intuitions operated by blacks. Malcolm X's belief in combating violence with violence influenced the way he spoke, and acted in his avocation for black equality. "Concerning nonviolence", X said, "it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks" (Mcelrath).

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X fought for black equality in the 1960's. However they used counter methods in their efforts to achieve the common goal, making African-Americans equal to whites in all aspects of society.