Introduction
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are the most well-known advocators of Black civil rights in America. However, despite relatively similar goals and experiences, they used completely different approaches to achieve racial justice. Martin Luther King Jr. promoted peaceful strategies to convey that White and Black people should have the same rights to build a democratic society. At the same time, Malcolm X believed that using violence was acceptable to end racial oppression. Both activists have contributed significantly to advancing civil rights in America, and studying them in greater detail is critical.
Comparison
The significant similarities between King and Malcolm X were the common objective of advancing Black civil rights, the experience of oppression in 20th-century America, and unfortunate deaths via assassinations. Moreover, they both were exceptionally charismatic speakers who could capture the attention of any listener regardless of race and ethnicity (Gordon). They relentlessly devoted their lives to helping fellow Black people achieve the same rights as White Americans and will be forever remembered for their courage.
Contrast
When experts discuss the lives of King and Malcolm X, they usually note the drastic differences in their backgrounds and approaches to racial justice. First, Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a relatively wealthy family, and his father was a notable advocator of civil rights (“Martin Luther”). He received exceptional education and continued to promote critical thinking and racial justice later in his career. It was one of the notable strengths that allowed him to succeed in the civil rights movement.
On the other hand, Malcolm X experienced poverty, violence, and the cruelest examples of racism during his childhood, which could explain his radical approaches later in life (“Malcolm X”). These contrasts in their backgrounds demonstrate why each activist chose their method of action.
The most significant difference between King and Malcolm X is their approach to civil rights advocacy. King wholeheartedly believed that only civil disobedience could resolve the issue of systematic racism and discouraged any form of violence (“Martin Luther”). He was also an active member of the Baptist Church and used this influence to organize nonviolent protests.
On the contrary, Malcolm X used a more radical approach that justified violence to achieve racial justice (“Malcolm X”). During the 1950s, he belonged to the Nation of Islam, and some principles of this organization were nationalistic. Nevertheless, the overall impact of his actions was positive for the rights of Black people in the United States.
Reflection
In my opinion, King’s views on racial justice were more idealistic and realistic. He advocated for peace between White and Black people, which seemed impossible at the time, but I believe that America is slowly improving its racial justice system. I think King’s approach is more realistic because violence typically only leads to more violence.
So, if people had listened to Malcolm X more and tried to achieve justice with radical actions, the response from the government would have been more hostile. As a result, it would have been impossible to find common ground for civil discussion. Unfortunately, both activists were assassinated at a young age, and it isn’t easy to estimate who achieved more. However, I appreciate King’s approach and believe his ideas were more realistic and beneficial for all American citizens, regardless of race and ethnicity.
Conclusion
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were exceptional speakers advocating for advancing Black rights in America. King promoted civil disobedience, while Malcolm X justified a certain degree of violence to achieve racial justice. Depending on the perspective, each approach could be considered either a strength or a weakness of activists. Nevertheless, they both significantly contributed to the civil rights movements in the United States and shaped the state of modern racial systems.
Works Cited
Gordon, Jonathan. “MLK and Malcolm X were More Alike than We Thought.” LiveScience, Web.
“Malcolm X.” Biography, Web.
“Martin Luther King Jr.” Biography, Web.