The Controversial Ideas Of Malcolm X And The Civil Rights Movement

Malcolm “Little”- also known as El-Hajj-Malik Shabazz, who most know solely as Malcolm X brought a unique perspective to the civil rights movement. Through his writings, teachings, actions and beliefs, Malcolm X differentiated himself from other civil rights leaders. Malcolm X’s controversial idea of Black-American and Muslim eco-social life sparked great dissent. A prime example of Malcolm X’s controversial differences was his decision to change his last name from “Little” to “X”. Although his ideas were distinct differences opposed to other leaders, Malcolm X was a major voice in the Civil Rights movement. Malcolm X became noticeable to the black community when he was granted parole seven years after he was arrested, and sentenced to ten

Unlike Martin Luther King, or other Civil Rights had a broad agenda for the African-American community that included civil disobedience and strong religious views. He believed that we should live in peace with each of our kind, that freedom was separate from each other. “The NOI fought for a state of their own, separate from one inhibited by white people” (malcolmx.com). This caused Malcolm X to want separation between races unlike other leaders. Unlike Martin Luther King that fought for equality, Malcolm X had the agenda of separation. Malcolm X dishonors Martin Luther King when he states that, “the goal of Dr. Martin Luther King is to give negroes a chance to sit in a segregated restaurant beside the same white man who had brutalized them for four hundred years” (brainyquotes.com). The way that he encourages self defense and civil disobedience raised a problem in the community. Where many other activists and leaders wanted to stop violence because of the harassment and physical harm African-Americans were already undergoing. Malcolm also says, “we are nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us” (malcolmx.com). Arguably stating that until whites stopped their violence, that then African-Americans will stop theirs. Malcolm X views the African-American race as bullied victims. He believed that the bullied white race must be stood up to in order to gain respect and peace between African-Americans and white

After writing a letter to President Truman disagreeing with the war in Korea and outing him as a communist, the FBI started focusing on the newly emergent leader. “FBI agents infiltrated the organization [NOI] (one even acted as Malcolm’s bodyguard) and secretly placed bugs, wiretaps, cameras and other surveillance equipment to monitor the groups activities” (malcolmx.com). After JFK’s assassination, Malcolm remarked a controversial statement that got him silenced from the NOI and disliked by the public. Malcolm states that “[Kennedy] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon” (malcolmx.com). Malcolm’s comment wasn’t well received. This was just another reason for people to dislike the honorable leader. Martin Luther King responds to Malcolm X in an interview