Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were two African American activists that fought for African American rights. Though they were both fighting for equal rights, but their point of views were very different. Black people were being oppressed in the 50’s and 60’s so men and woman decided to stand up and fight for racial equality. Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were men that decided that there needed to be change in America they both took action and strived for racial equality but, they both had different views on how African Americans should take action.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a speech called: “I have a dream.” In this speech he states that all men are created equal and should be treated that way. Martin Luther’s “dream was that one day, his son and daughter would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Malcolm X addressed a speech to a meeting in New York he intended that this speech encourage African Americans to take action. Malcolm states “we feel that it is time to get together among our own kind and eliminate the evils that are destroying the moral fiber of our society”. Malcolm then goes on to state “ when he becomes the victim of brutality by those who are depriving him of his rights- to do whatever necessary to protect himself.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s point of view to get equal rights was through non-violent civil disobedience because of his Christian beliefs. He encouraged peaceful, non-violent protests. He states this a few times in his speech to make it clear they should not be violent. “In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence.” Malcolm X’s point of view is in order for African Americans to gain equal rights they must be able to stand up and defend their rights. He believed that African Americans needed to do whatever was necessary to protect themselves and fight back. This is demonstrated when he states “ when he becomes the victim of brutality by those who are depriving him of his rights- to do whatever necessary to protect himself.” Malcolm X believed that they would need to use violence to gain equal rights. He wanted African Americans to rise up and be proud that they could be important or impactful. He believed that non-violent actions would lead to them losing control of their movement and their civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X may of had different views on the civil rights movement but they both believed that it was time for racial equality. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both inspired many African Americans to rise up and take action. They both protested the violence that the average African American was facing everyday. Both men knew the abuse and crimes that were affecting African Americans across the country. Both men wanted to lift the African American communities and empower them to have a better life. Malcolm X stated “ we should lift the level or the standard of our own society to a higher level.” this shows how he wanted the people to have a higher standard. They may of had different views on how to gain racial equality but they both wanted to improve the lives of African Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were both great men who wanted to change their world. They were men that always tried to help others and improve the world around them. It is a shame that both men were murdered for trying to make the world a better place. They both powered the civil rights movement and help create racial equality in the United States.
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