Compare And Contrast Martin Luther King Jr And Malcom X

The early lives of two historically well-known African American men during the 1950-60s, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcom X. These two men are most greatly known for their outspoken views on the Civil Rights Movements. They argued for opposing sides of what each other, thought was right for society. Martin Luther King Jr., fought for the goal of racial integration, while Malcolm urged separation (David Howard-Pitney, p. 2). When comparing and contrasting their view you could consider their very different upbringings. People may have wondered if that could have affected their present views on the Civil Rights Movements.
The early history of Martin Luther King Jr. He grew up in a very faithful, loving family, who supported him with all of his

They just had different action plans on how those goals were to be met and enforced. The King promoted nonviolent actions to gain social progress, he used direct actions such as sit-ins and marches. He felt by the use of direct actions they could not be ignored and people would have to solve or confront the issue instead of putting it aside. During these direct actions whites tried to provoke blacks with violence, but the King still urged the use of nonviolence. He stated, “Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible” (Martin Luther King Jr., p. 73). He steered away from violent actions and insisted on using his words to achieve what he wanted. The King was not willing to lie down, he stated things such as, “There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights” (Martin Luther King Jr., p. 105). The King had a dream that the blacks would not be satisfied until justice is given, all men are treated equally, and freedom rings (Martin Luther King Jr., p. 105). While Malcolm, supported blacks to stand up for themselves by any means, violence if necessary or in other words self-defense. He felt African Americans should not have to learn how to suffer and accept that as just being part of their life. Malcolm stated, “A man or system which oppresses a man because of his color

136). Malcolm’s positions were gradually changing. King states, “He spoke… to my wife…about his personal struggles and expressed an interest in working more closely with the non-violent movements…” (Martin Luther King Jr., p. 126). Deep down, we can see Malcolm is starting to accept and converge to the Kings positions. But with his harsh past, Malcolm’s positions had become hardened and would take time for him to adapt to ways of nonviolence and politic problems. Kings last planned protest, The Poor People’s Campaign, ironically was what Malcolm had recommended several years ago (David Howard-Pitney, p. 137). Showing their thoughts with society matter were converging before Malcolm started publicly expressing them. But even the King had shown some signs of converging, “A time comes when silence is betrayal” (Martin Luther King Jr., p. 139). He is speaking of the Vietnam war, and how blacks were being treated poorly even when they were fighting for America. The King is starting to become more out spoken for the policies he believes in. He states, “The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise… this is our history… and if we make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood” (Martin