Malcolm X's Role In The Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Movement

“Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon without cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

“I don’t even call it violence when it’s self-defence; I call it intelligence.” - Malcolm X

Malcolm X was an African American Activist who played a major role during the Civil Right Moment in America. He was the leader of the African American Muslims who preached independence, ‘Black Power’ and ‘Black Consciousness’ through an anti-non-violence approach whether it was defending or provoking. Malcolm’s Muslim faith and his background were two of the factors that influenced his actions and lead him into becoming an outspoken public voice as well as a prominent leader in the Nation of Islam. Malcolm prominently promoted separatism in America because he always thought that ‘Black Power’ was necessary and accepting the philosophy of ‘Black Nationalism’ was crucial. “I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation – every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings and all human beings should be respected as such regardless the colour of their skin.”

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was another one of the Civil Rights Movement leaders that

and Malcolm X believed that only through force could blacks attain their rightful place in society. He blamed many of the conditions that blacks in the United States lived in on the whites. Martin Luther King appeared calm and idealistic. He also preached about getting this equality through a non-violent way. King urged blacks to win their rightful place in society by gaining self-respect, high moral standards, hard work and leadership. He also urged blacks to do this in a non-violent manner. He urged African-American people to never forget their dreams. King preached that in the eyes of God, the African-Americans are good as any other race and should be treated as