Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Icons for the Civil...

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were two individuals who not only helped the African-American plight during the Civil Rights Movement, but served as icons to the history of their race. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X grew up in very different environments. King Jr. came from a middle class family where education was a significant value in his home life. Malcolm X, on the other hand, was raised in a foster home after his father’s murder and his mom was put into a mental institution. He was a self-taught individual who did not receive much in the way of a formal education. He grew as a leader with his motivation, intelligence and determination. However, both men were fierce advocates for civil rights and consider their blackness†¦show more content†¦Malcolm X was pessimistic. He thought that equality between white and black people was impossible because whites had no moral conscience. Whereas King’s goal was for whites and blacks to live together in pe ace, X sought equality through forced acceptance. He believed that if everything was done through force he may be able to cause a revolt in society, allowing blacks a chance to earn their freedom, with muscle not mind. So, while their dreams were delivered in different styles, their purpose was the same. Malcolm wanted to revolt. He believed that non-violence and integration was a trick from the white man to keep the blacks under control. Trough his speeches, Malcolm X encouraged his followers to rise up and fight for their rights. Due to the childhoods of both of these men they react the way they do. It is sad to learn about how difficult it was for African-Americans to endure all the struggles they had to face to become free. In today’s society life is still hard, and racism is still around. However, we still manage to unite and live in peace with equal rights for both races. In King’s speech, I Have a Dream, he asks black people to never forget their dreams. King ex plains that in the eyes of God, black people are as good as any other race and they should be treated that way: â€Å"I have a dream that one day every valley will be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low,Show MoreRelatedA Research on The Civil Rights Movement1448 Words   |  6 Pagesabout the Civil Rights Movement (Martin Luther King Jr. Vs Malcolm X) and will be focusing on two important icons that have an important part of African American History. I am going to further discuss in this research paper, â€Å"What were the views of Martin Luther King. Jr and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights movement? What were their goals and methods to achieve equality and peace?† Both leaders wanted to unite the black race with the white race and achieve equal rights. Martin Luther King. Jr and MalcolmRead MoreCivil Rights Activists: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Huey Newton1223 Words   |  5 Pages American icon and former civil rights activist Mar tin Luther King Jr. once said, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. This quote speaks volumes about the message that he is trying to convey towards society regarding racism. He is basically saying not to judge others just because of their skin color, but love them for who they are. We should not beRead MoreMartin Luther King’s Quest for Equality1340 Words   |  5 PagesEquality Martin Luther King Jr. had a substantial impact on how the United States views civil rights. During his lifetime, Martin became highly educated and used his knowledge to help others in a positive way. King was not only an influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement, but also a catalyst and a leading figure of the 1960s. His leadership and practices still live on today, and the Civil Rights Movement wouldnt have been nearly as successful without his leadership and guidance. Dr. King pushedRead MoreComparing The Life And Leadership Of Dr. Martin Luther King And Malcolm X1764 Words   |  8 PagesThe Civil Rights Movement was a critical event that is important in African American History. From the 1950’s to the mid 1960’s, civil rights activists and leaders rose up across the nation to fight for equal rights and against discrimination. Even local citizens such as Rosa Parks, took a stand against segregation on public transportation. Others also participated in sit-ins inside diners for whites only. Although people expressed the need for equality, many efforts were shot down. Things beganRead MoreEssay on The Civil Rights Movement: Malcolm X1135 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the Civil Rights Movement, there was a famous leader whose protests were peaceful and non-violent. That man was Martian Luther King Jr., but many people have never heard of another Civil Rights leader. Even though his protests were different than King’s protests, he did his part and help with equality. This man was Malcolm Little, more famously known as Malcolm X. After a rough upbringing, Malcolm X led protests that differed which ended with his assassination. His protesting didn’t startRead MoreThe Legacy Of The Jim Crow Laws1712 Words   |  7 Pages The years leading up to the 1960’s were ones full of worldly and civil unrest. Wars raged, blood spilled, and many lives were lost. However, these wars weren’t always fought across continents and countries. Some were fought internally, without involving assault rifles or trenches. The war I’m speaking did involve two sides, but not Axis and Union. This war dealt with racial segregation and hatred among races . This movement sprouted all the way from the roots of slavery and the oppression of thoseRead MoreComparing the Beliefs of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Essay1782 Words   |  8 PagesComparing the Beliefs of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X By April 1968, two of the worlds most remembered civil rights leaders, who fought for a difference in black America, had been assassinated. Despite their different beliefs and their different ways of promoting this message, they both had the same goal in mind; to promote black respect and pride. The visionary and angry voices of Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X together transformed theological thinking in Read MoreEssay about Martin Luther Kings Speech in Jobs and Freedom962 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther Kings Speech in Jobs and Freedom Martin Luther King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech was presented during the ‘Jobs and Freedom’ March, which was held on 28th August, 1963 near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The march was supported by over 250 000 people and was a great success. About one third of the crowd was white. That day several speeches were delivered however, Martin Luther King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† was and still is one of the most powerful and movingRead MoreThe 1960s Of The 1960 S3175 Words   |  13 Pagesincluding civil rights for African Americans. A lot of attention was brought towards the south in the United States, where many contempt African Americans were tired of racism and denied their basic human rights. Unfortunately, despite the countless protests and loud civil rights movement, little has changed in contemporary America. Today we see a similar movement arise from the newer generation protesting racism and police brutality against black people, particularly black males. Both movements are ledRead MoreCivil Rights Leaders3949 Words   |  16 PagesCivil Rights The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was accompanied, or followed, by civil unrest and armed rebellion. The process was long and tenuous in many countries, and many of these movements did not fully achieve their goals although, the efforts