Violent vs Nonviolent
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Whose philosophy made the most sense for America in the 1960s?
The Civil Rights Movement began during the 1950s and ended in 1960. The entire reason why this movement was happening is because although the slaves had been free a while ago, they were not given the same rights as white people had and on top of that they were being violently beaten up to death if not sent to the hospital. That is when Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr were fighting for civil rights, even though they were both fighting for the same reason but they both had different methods trying to achieve what they wanted. Malcolm’s idea was to use violence against the racist people who would attack them to death or end, up injured severely and on the other hand, Martin’s ideas were to protest peacefully and to not use violence even if they were being attacked severely as well. Malcolm X's philosophy made the most sense for America during the 1960’s because they were being attacked violently and what he wanted was to make them feel the same pain they felt as they were attacked. Although many people think that the best option is not used violence, but that could actually be wrong. If the person who is attacking the other with violence
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The best option after being the attack is to use violence against them because all they were doing is protesting but in a peaceful way and they would be attacked. In document 1 it says, “Look, you guys are supposed to be nice guys and we are only going to do what we are supposed to do-- why do you beat us up, why don’t you give us what we ask”. This is why Malcolm’s idea was best to follow because even after not hurting the others and do what they are supposed to do they were being attacked and they were not treated equally and they also did not have
This book brings together some of the best primary sources on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X that relate to what I’ve learned in history class. Through their writings and speeches, I appreciate the roles they played in the freedom crusade of the 1950s and 1960s. It is a good summary of its essential teachings that give me insight into their individual styles and personalities. The book is not one that tries to force ideas or a religion on the reader but instead offers new insight on two of these most important civil rights leaders of the century. It is a valuable effort that helps me both within and beyond the classroom, which focuses on the crucial years in the lives of quintessentially human
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King are the two important figures in the American history, who are primarily known for leading the civil rights movements, aimed at undermining the discrimination and segregation in American life. In order to achieve their objectives, they adopted different approaches. Through the points of their life goals, and their respective strategies and approaches to achieve those goals, it is clear that they had similar believe in the big picture. However, they had their reasons to peruse it in different ways. Both the Malcolm and Luther King had very different background and experiences.
Two of the most influential civil rights activists who fought for the rights and equality of African Americans were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. both had different views on whether or not violence or non violence was the key to gaining equality for blacks. They very much differed on the question of violence because as Malcolm was for it King was against it. King believed in a nonviolent approach to end segregation, and knew that white segregationist would eventually act on behalf of his nonviolent acts because the issue couldn’t be ignored forever. Malcolm, on the other hand, believed violence was the only way to get segregationist to act. Though Malcolm never used violence, Malcolm knew that by threatening the white man the white man would then react to the threat.
Two things grew in the 1960s: peace and violence. The civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1960’s, bringing change with it. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr emerged as two powerful activists. Both activists had very different philosophies, one preached a non-violence method, and the other thought violence was a necessary action to bring change. During the civil rights movement, Malcolm X’s philosophy made the most sense because he wanted to improve the lives of every black American, he believed that the government wasn’t doing enough for colored people, and he thought violence was necessary to bring a change.
Additionally, Malcolm X appealed to his listeners to the value of freedom and how they need to resort to violence if the government tries stopping them. Malcolm X didn’t want violence but if they had to use it to make a change, then they would have to. According to the text, “Malcolm X Summary”,” Malcolm expressed the anger and frustration of African Americans toward white American society, and he criticized the civil rights movement and racial integration, calling instead for Black separatism, Black pride, and the use of violence for self-protection.” However, I believe MLKs methods are better because of his nonviolent ways of resisting. MLK always wanted people to protest peacefully and not use violence because it only made things harder.
The most important decision of a leader is the style of leading they decide to use when inspiring others, or providing a vision for the future. By looking at the past, it is proven that some leadership styles are guaranteed to be more effective than others. The leadership style of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights provides significant evidence of how different styles of leading can turn out to be a major success or defeat. Malcolm X’s leadership style included using violence to protest against violence and unequal rights, as well as supporting the segregation of African Americans and the whites. Martin Luther King’s style included nonviolent marches and protests against violence, and peacefully fighting for integrating the blacks and whites.
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals” - Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was more peaceful during the Civil Rights Time Period than Malcolm X for three main reasons: the first reason is Malcolm X was less peaceful was he was apart of a couple violent groups, the second reason is Malcolm X did not agree with peaceful demonstrations, and the third reason is Malcolm X encouraged his followers to rise-up against the whites. The first reason Martin Luther King Jr. was more peaceful than Malcolm X is Malcolm X was apart of a couple violent groups.
Malcolm X was talking about how many Civil Rights protesters focused on peace and talking about protesting instead of actively taking action against the system. Public Enemy condones the approval of Black militancy
Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X were great revolutionary leaders. Their motives inspired others to be against the segregated 20th century. Frederick Douglass is famous for writing “Learning to Read”. The intended audience would have been anyone. Learning to Read was written in 1845 and it is a narrative.
DBQ: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Rewrite During the 1960’s there was a greatly increased in violence in America. There were riots, bombings, racism, and discrimination. Many African American were mistreated due to the racist people who intervened the African Americans from doing anything. Two civil rights activists wanted change for African Americans and were both fighting for the same cause, civil rights.
Malcolm X and his ideals are arguably a representation of the transition from the early 1950 's non-violent movement for integration to a more aggressive black power movement. Evidence of this is shown through powerful strands of his novel “The Ballot or the Bullet” including when he writes, “I don 't mean go out and get violent, but at the same time you should never be non-violent unless you run into some non-violence.” (Malcolm 439). In writing that members of the civil rights movement should never be non-violent he does so facetiously. This excerpt indicates a call for violence as a more powerful method for achieving the equality he feels they deserve.
MLK’s “I have a dream” speech promoted the idea of integration. He believed that the races were created equal and that blacks should be respected as American citizens. Malcolm X followed Muslim principles and believed that he would protest “by any means necessary.” He would do whatever needed in order to obtain freedom for African-Americans whether it be violence or nonviolent. Malcolm opposed integration and believed that blacks needed to fend for themselves in the fight against whites.
Introduction: Malcom X urges the Negro community to fight to gain the equal rights they deserve by taking action against their white oppressors. He emphasizes that blacks will gain their rights either thorough voting, with the ballot, or else through the inevitable violence with the bullet. Thesis [part a] Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., also fighting for the civil rights of black Americans in the 1960s, but in a more peaceful manner, Malcom X takes a different approach.
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were both two African American civil rights activists who were very prominent throughout history. They fought for what they believed in but in vastly different ways. Martin Luther King Jr. was born to a middle class family and was well educated. Malcolm X, on the other hand, grew up in a rather hostile environment with barely enough schooling. Both their speeches, “I Have a Dream” and “The Ballot or the Bullet” may have shared some common traits, but at the same time, differed greatly in various aspects.
should have acted differently to work with Malcolm X, and possibly change the time period the Civil Rights Act was established. Martin had all the right words to say to keep whites and government officials from being completely against everything he had to say. Although, Martin did not have enough action steps to establish equal rights, Malcolm X certainly does. Consequently, it is likely that Malcolm X was an example of how to protest in an effective way. If Martin Luther King Jr. was more demanding and forceful like Malcolm X, the Civil Rights Act could have been established years before it was.