Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt: Malcolm X and Martin Luther King The year of 1963 was controversial for the reason that African-Americans were segregated and activist leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King had different ideas of reforming against the social norms of that time. While Malcolm X and MLK were both human rights activists, they had different approaches towards reform movements. MLK and Malcolm X both use rhetorical techniques such as anaphora and allusion to convey the purposes of their speeches that address mainly African Americans. MLK and Malcolm X were African Americans who were activist leaders for human rights.
MLK vs. Malcolm X In the 1960’s there was racism around every corner in America. The Civil Rights movement took place during the 1960’s, Two key figures in the movement were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Two significant speeches given by Dr.King and Malcolm X that show their beliefs are Dr.King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and Malcolm X’s ‘Response to Nonviolent Revolution’. In Malcolm X’s speech he makes a good argument for his claim that they have to be violent for a revolution, but Dr.King has a better argument for the claim that they should remain nonviolent. Two things that makes Dr.King’s argument better is his strong use of rhetorical devices and appeals.
The Tactics and Philosophies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X During the time period of 1945 through 1968, there was a movement that would change the lives of African Americans forever. This movement was called the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were the headliners of the Civil Rights Movement.
MLK’s “I have a dream” speech promoted the idea of integration. He believed that the races were created equal and that blacks should be respected as American citizens. Malcolm X followed Muslim principles and believed that he would protest “by any means necessary.” He would do whatever needed in order to obtain freedom for African-Americans whether it be violence or nonviolent. Malcolm opposed integration and believed that blacks needed to fend for themselves in the fight against whites.
Civil rights has always been and will always be an extremly controversial topic. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X are both large figure heads in the progression of civil rights throughout the United States. Both of these men took very different aproaches towards civil rights; each benefiting the progression in many different ways. Martin Luther King Jr. taking a more subtle and less aggresive approach, compared to Malcom X's violent and aggressive approach. Although, they both took different approaches their work has many different benefits to the work they performed, but overall King had more of an impact on American society.
1963 and 1964, two pivotal years in American history. In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and in 1964 Malcom X wrote “The Ballot or the Bullet”. Before, during, and after these two years the United States was a place where racial equality was inexistent. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were pioneers in bringing attention to this issue. Both men wrote letters and released them to the public, one from a jail cell and another recited his letter in a church.
Tyler Solomon Professor Teague HIST1152 April 7, 2024 Civil Rights Paper During the twentieth century, the United States was a battleground for African Americans as they fought for civil rights while defining their different visions of freedom and liberation. These debates were not only verbal confrontations but were also shown through texts and speeches that offered competing visions of freedom. For example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and his "Where Do We Go From Here" speech outlined a philosophy of nonviolent resistance and a call for economic and social equality.
During the Civil Rights Movement two arguments were led by completely different people that expressed different solutions and ideas towards the problem. These two individuals were Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King gave the speech “I Have a Dream” while Malcolm X gave the speech “The Ballot or the Bullet” that showed their opinions toward the movement. Each speech showed opposite solutions to the ever present problem that faced them. While Dr. King argued for a peaceful solution, and showed this by his syntax and rhetorical language, Malcolm X would argue that violence was necessary in order to achieve the equality that the black community required.
While Malcolm X is trying the approach of attempting to get the African Americans to buy their own businesses instead. One of Martin Luther King Jr's tactics is boycotting the businesses, while Malcolm X specifically stated he did not want to use that tactic and those similar to it. As stated in his speech, " ... They won't have to constantly be involved in picketing and boycotting other people in communities in order to get a job. " On the other hand, Martin Luther King Jr stated, " Along with the march as a weapon for change in our nonviolence arsenal must be listed the boycott.
In the pursuit of equality during the Civil Rights Movement, two main ideologies emerged: those of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. These two men’s philosophies are usually viewed as complete contradictories. Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King hold the same end goal of rights for African Americans; however, their methods for achieving that goal differ. Malcolm maintained a more violent approach whereas King deemed that the best way to achieve equality was through nonviolent and peaceful practices. Additionally, Malcolm believed in the separatism of African American and white cultures, in contrast to King’s belief in the integration of black and white cultures.
For example, Sir King always followed a non-violent way to solve problems, while Sir Malcolm X always chose a way that equality can be achieved in any way if it is necessary, which means he approved of being violent. It is mostly because they have grown up with completely different social backgrounds. However, M.L. King saw the world from a good perspective to win equal rights for his people, while Sir Malcolm X saw the world in timid anger and from a revengeful perspective. In my opinion, I believe the procedure of how Martin Luther King protested is the best way to win equal rights. He always chose peace over
King dreamed of a society in which all races could coexist equally. He knew that ethically it was his duty to stand up against unjust laws and although he did do so by using violence he made sure that Black people’s voice was heard. Many of the steps King took such as Montgomery bus boycott, which was a boycott of public buses by African Americans validate many of Malcolm X’s assumptions. When this boycott started to affect the pockets of bus companies that is what led to change and ultimately social revolution. Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were aware that in order for there to be change that they needed to directly affect what White men cared about, business and politics.
Kasey Sammis Question 4 Due: 3/14/18 Malcolm X: Violence Met with Violence During the 1960 Civil Rights movement, those involved were divided with the same goal in mind. Both sides wanted change for the African American community but were willing to achieve those changes by different means. The community was angry and tired of the oppression put upon them and their day to day lives.
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were two influential men who served as important figures for the Civil Rights Movement. The two men came from diverse backgrounds and had contrasting views in life about religion and African American’s stance in society. Malcolm X was born in Nebraska and had great amounts of exposure to racism. Martin Luther King was born in an educated family in Atlanta, where he experienced racism, but to a lower extreme than Malcolm X. Although they passed away long time ago, they continue to live on today in a world independent of segregation. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X used opposing principles to achieve equality for blacks; King utilized integration of both races and nonviolence as opposed to Malcolm X who separated the same races and employed non violence so as to achieve the same goal.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s views helped create other activist groups that fought against more direct challenges and used nonviolent ways of protest. These groups helped from many civil rights laws. Malcolm X had a different perspective than MLK. He felt whatever form of protest that was needed to succeed was the form he should use. He felt that blacks should be more concerned with helping each other before helping anyone else.