Malcolm X Thesis

Throughout the time of history, African Americans have faced unmeasurable hardships, discrimination, and racism that still affect American society today. The 1900s was a time period of reform and allowed for change that improved the life of minorities. McKay was an author who resorted to poetry as a form of activism during the time period of the Harlem Renaissance, an intellectual and cultural revival of African American Arts. On the other hand Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were leaders of the Civil rights movement. Malcolm X grew up in poverty and ended up going into jail, where he became educated. After this he joined the Nation of Islam, that combined Islam ideas with Black Nationalism, however, he regretted this later. X was a speaker

During this time period white supremacists tried to put an end to the civil rights movement through crimes such as murder that frequently went unpunished. In the interview Malcom X stresses the importance of vigorous self defense, “That in areas of this country where the government has proven its--either its inability or its unwillingness to protect the lives and property of our people, then it’s only fair to expect us to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves,” (Malcolm X). In this interview, Malcolm X has a very serious tone, and it is clear that he is devoted to his work in activism. Malcolm X is urging people with his tone to protect themselves. Racial discrimination towards African Americans is prevalent and Blacks should protect themselves no matter what. Malcom X was a speaker for the Nation of Islam and he continued to try and spread the message of resistance against oppression at any cost. He promoted this message in the North through influential speeches about Black Power and Black

and Malcolm X uses tone, and “If We Must Die” by McKay uses metaphors, to promote the message of using force by any means to defend oneself against racial oppressors. Although the United States has supported the idea of the American Dream and opportunity for everyone since its birth, minorities have faced continual oppression. African Americans have gone through unimaginable hardships which did not stop after the abolishment of slavery, or even after the legislation of civil rights. In current day society there are still activist movements, marches, and protests to bring light to racial discrimination. On the other hand, throughout the 1900s leaders and activists such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Claude McKay helped make progress against racial oppression in their own ways. While Martin Luther King Jr. supported and encouraged nonviolent means of protest, X and McKay acknowledged the necessity of self-defense by any means necessary. Malcolm X talked more outright about violent response to violent oppression and often used his town and ideologies to spread his message. McKay on the other hand, uses literary arts and devices to expose oppression from white supremacists while writing about African Americans persevering by the means of