Difference Between Martin Luther King Jr And Malcolm X

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During the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak and Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were two of the most influential leaders of the movement. Both men were African Americans and both fought for equal rights for African Americans. The difference between the two, however, is found in their ideologies on how to best help and serve the black community. By looking at both men’s best-known speeches, one can better understand these men’s different ideologies and why Americans tend to gravitate more towards Martin Luther King, Jr. than towards Malcolm X. On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” King started off by recognizing President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation …show more content…

Malcolm X then explained the Islam religion’s beliefs and how it was the only way Negroes could pull away from the immorality and wickedness of the Western society that promoted slavery. He continued by stating it was now time for the prophecy to be fulfilled, for one religion to be established worldwide – the world of Islam. He declared they were living in the final hour and only those who fully practiced Islam would escape the Western world’s imminent disaster and …show more content…

King’s ideology advocated non-violent direct action, as well as passive resistance, in order to achieve racial equality and freedom. King strongly believed in Christian values and that nonviolence was the black people’s most potent weapon in their struggle for racial freedom. This can be seen when he said, “In the process of gaining our rightful place, let us not be guilty of wrongful deeds,” and, “We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence.” King also reminded blacks that, “Many of our white brothers…have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny,” and, “We cannot walk alone,” because he wished for blacks to work with whites to achieve racial equality. Plus, King believed that respect for blacks would come through integration. He fought to permanently get rid of signs that prevented blacks from riding buses or trains to where they wanted to go. He fought for all blacks to be able to vote. When King spoke, “With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brother-hood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together,” he showed his strong desire for everyone to get along and to create a society for all; one defined by love and

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