Philosophies and Tactics of Dr. King and Malcolm X

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During the mid-1900s, the Civil Rights Movement was a crucial part of the United States’ growth. Many men and women both black and white contributed to the development of rights for African Americans and other minorities. Among them, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had an everlasting effect on the treatment of minorities in the United States. Although their philosophies and tactics differed greatly, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X helped shape the Civil Rights Movement and make the United States a better place for people regardless of their race. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had different beliefs and goals for the Civil Rights Movement. While Martin Luther King Jr. took a more peaceful position, Malcolm X could best be described as militant, not working toward integration like Dr. King, but instead trying to segregate black and white society. Martin Luther King’s more peaceful views were shaped by his Christian upbringing; his father was a Southern Baptist minister. As he grew up and came into his own, Gandhi and his methods of peaceful protest increasingly influenced Dr. King. In addition to Gandhi, the church, Jesus Christ, and Howard Thurman (a prominent civil rights leader who was friend and mentor to Dr. King) shaped some of King’s ideas. From Gandhi, King developed his mentality regarding nonviolent disobedience. While studying in Pennsylvania, he became inspired by how successful Gandhi had been in his protest against the British rule in India. The church and Jesus Christ also offered King inspiration. Not only did growing up the son of a minister help him become one himself, but the idea of “loving [his] neighbor as [himself]” encouraged King to use a more peaceful, brotherly approach in dealing with t... ... middle of paper ... ...of the greatest similarities between the two men was that they both came to an untimely end. In 1968 and 1965 respectively, King and Malcolm X were assassinated fighting for what they believed in; due to the nature of their work, both men knew that they were going to die for their causes. Even though they both died prematurely, their deaths offered inspiration and perhaps warning to others struggling for civil rights. There were many differences in the tactics between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Inspired by Gandhi and his Christian background, King used peaceful protest to fight for civil rights. Malcolm X, whose inspiration came from Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam used a more confrontational approach in his efforts. Together, King and Malcolm X paved the way for other civil rights activists and shaped the course of the Civil Rights Movement.

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