Compare And Contrast Martin Luther King Jr And Malcolm X

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Martin Luther King Jr. and Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) are both two very opinionated African Americans that gave their lives for what they believed in. The methods they used in the emancipation of African Americans are beyond their years. King Jr’s method was adopted from Mahatma Gandhi and Malcolm’s was of Elijah Muhammad. Martin was a Baptist minister that believed in nonviolence as a way of life for all people. Malcolm was an ex-convict turned muslim with the Nation Of Islam that believed “we have to fight to overcome”.

Martin Luther King Jr. was raised on Christian beliefs and had a lot of time in church. Born January 15, 1929 as Micheal King Jr until April 4 1968 were he was assassinated in Memphis Tn. King was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian and leader in the African–American Civil Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using disobedience. Being inspired by Gandhi’s success with nonviolent activism, King dedicated himself to the principle of nonviolence. “Since being in India I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity”(Martin/radio interview 1959). …show more content…

Malcolm grew up in Omaha Nebraska, born on May 19, 1925 and at six years old seen his father get killed by white men. After his father’s death a psychological deterioration hit his family, causing his mother to be institutionalized and him being a foster. After various beatings and foster homes, he joined NOI (Nation Of Islam) while serving a prison term in Massachusetts on burglary. Finding the Nation of Islam broadened Malcolm’s intellect. He moved to Chicago and changed his name to Malcolm X. He admired great scholars but rejected King’s message of non-violence. King’s incarceration came from upholding the law as an equal man and X’s came from breaking the