The civil rights movement Malcolm x and King Jnr
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Martin Luther King Jnr. And Malcolm X: Beacons of the Civil Rights Movement
The civil rights movement in the 20th century represented the persistent opposition faced
by black Americans. They endured racial injustices and segregation, which resulted in notable
events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, hate speeches, and Washington protests. These actions
included speeches targeting to unite and inspire the black community to defend their rights.
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X thus rose as significant figures in the civil rights era, sharing
a vision of freedom and equal rights for blacks. Regardless of their shared vision, they emerged
from diverse backgrounds, each with distinctive journeys. Despite their varying backgrounds and
contradictory approaches to justice, King and X were significant in the civil rights movement
since they shared a vision of freedom and equal rights for African Americans.
Indeed, King and Malcolm X emerged as leaders from contrasting backgrounds, each
meeting different prospects as they grew. Martin had a sturdy social circle, grew up in a fortunate
environment, and had a nurturing home. From a stable household, Martin was privileged to
receive an education and pursue studies up to the Ph.D. level, interacting with white individuals.
On the other hand, Malcolm X could not join school due to being raised in a broken home with a
deceased father and an oppressed mother. The disparity in their geographical circumstances
played a crucial role in shaping their ideas. Malcolm X resided in the North, where the social
subservience of black individuals was prevalent, leading to significant social control. Meanwhile,
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Martin lived in the South, where black people faced economic, social, and political
marginalization through discriminatory laws. These differing geographical backgrounds also
influenced their approaches to racism and leadership.
Additionally, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X held different religious beliefs.
Whereas X adhered to Islam without formal training, King was a committed Christian minister
with a doctorate in systematic theology. This noteworthy religious difference was pivotal in
influencing their philosophies and strategies (Perkins 241). Martin Luther King, for instance,
appealed to the masses through his focus on Christian charity and his use of the Christian
doctrine of conflict resolution to support his ideas. In contrast, Malcolm emphasized divine
justice, seeing Christian culture permeated by white supremacy and hypocrisy.
Similarly, both leaders employed different rhetorical approaches. Malcolm focused his
speeches solely on the black community, aiming to educate Black Americans on the matters they
confronted and how to approach them as a united community. Malcolm X was straightforward in
his strategies, unflinching, as well as realistic (Wahyudi et al. 509). On the other hand, Dr. King
appealed to both black and white audiences, aiming to persuade them to recognize the injustices
propagated by Jim Crow. Martin Luther had spent significant time with white people and
understood their silent suffering. His approach was more revolutionary, employing a lofty moral
tone that stirred the masses. Martin and Malcolm adopted distinct tactics in pursuing their goals.
Martin advocated for non-violence and passive resistance to convey his points, while Malcolm
staunchly supported black Americans and believed in defending their lives using violence as self-
defense.
Despite the disparities between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, notable similarities
can be observed. They shared a common viewpoint on American politics and recognized the
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need for essential reforms to enhance leadership. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were
driven by equality, particularly in desegregation, voting rights, and black political representation.
They effectively utilized mass movements to communicate their messages. As leaders, they
dedicated themselves to addressing the everyday struggles experienced by the black community.
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X held shared values about human rights, standing against
issues such as capitalism, poverty, white supremacy, unjust warfare, and police brutality. They
both possessed assertive voices and exhibited distinctive leadership styles. Over time, both
leaders experienced personal transformations that resulted in significant shifts in their
perspectives and concerns. Through exposure to different influences and life experiences, Martin
and Malcolm expanded their horizons and became more receptive to each other's ideologies.
Ironically, these periods of self-transformation were cut short by their untimely assassinations,
which occurred at the same age.
They became more similar in the final stages of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X's
lives, yet their similarities remained distinct. Even as they gravitated towards Luther's militant
confrontation approach, Malcolm still acknowledged the fundamental differences that defined
their fight for civil rights and held mutual respect. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were
extraordinary leaders who fought for change in the lives of black Americans.
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Works Cited
Perkins, Miriam Y. "The Praxis of Prophetic Voice: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Strategies for
Resistance."
Black Theology
17.3 (2019): 241-257.
Wahyudi, Yashinta Nur, Wijayadi Wijayadi, and Armeria Wijaya. "The Use of Metaphors in
Malcolm X Speech Entitled the Black Revolution."
IDEAS: Journal of Language
Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
10.1 (2022): 509-524.