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Peaceful Protest Vs. Retaliation: Which Civil Rights Philosophy Was Best?

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Peaceful Protest vs. Retaliation: Which Civil Rights Philosophy Was Best?

William Ewens
HST106 American History
May 12, 2023

The civil rights movement was a culmination of events with the goal of ending racial discrimination in the United States during the 1950’s to 1960’s. Two prominent philosophies were taken up during the movement, with two major leaders (Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.) each backing one of them. Malcolm X focused on a theory of violent retaliation against injustices as a platform to achieve change, while Martin Luther King Jr. practiced peaceful protest and civil disobedience to accomplish civil rights. Both philosophies played important roles in the development of rights, having influence on legislation …show more content…

Violence in the pursuit of civil rights in the United States can be seen as a used philosophy as far back as the nation's beginnings with slavery. Slaves often used violence when rebelling against their owners in an attempt to gain their freedom. Revolts, like Nat Turner’s in Virginia, generally resulted in an increase in restrictions, laws, and the killing of slaves in fear of more retaliation. Any reaction done by blacks that were deemed “violent” also saw an unjust representation by law, and received unequal consequences as a result. Small instances, up until and past the civil rights movement, of violence and retaliation never received widespread accreditation for inducing more rights for black Americans. The occurrences mostly served as attention gatherers for the issue, but usually resulted in a negative impact and impression for the people trying to gain freedoms. Those who wished to not cause harm and where discouraged by violence would steer away from Malcolm X’s philosophy, and would find guidance in the practices of another civil rights leader of the time, Martin Luther King …show more content…

Even though Malcolm X’s philosophy of retaliatory violence pushed the issue of inequality into the light for Americans, Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful protest’s ability to produce support and change made it the best option for blacks during the time. Retaliation from injustice regularly decreased the effectiveness of the movement by resulting in punishment and increase of restrictions on black Americans. Peaceful protest ultimately served as the option, with its cultivation of public opinion in support of the movement and more acceptable approach in describing the issue, gave a grounding that was most effective in expanding the rights for black Americans during the civil rights

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