Реферат: Martin Luther King Jr. Vs Malcolm X

force could blacks attain their rightful place in society.

Both X and King spread their message through powerful,

hard-hitting speeches. Nevertheless, their intentions were delivered

in different styles and purposes.

“King was basically a peaceful leader who urged non-violence

to his followers. He travelled about the country giving speeches that

inspired black and white listeners to work together for racial

harmony.” (pg. 135, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Movement)

Malcolm X, for the most part, believed that non-violence and

integration was a trick by the whites to keep blacks in their places.

He was furious at white racism and encouraged his followers through

his speeches to rise up and protest against their white enemies.

After Malcolm X broke away from Elijah Mohammed, this change is

reflected in his more moderate speeches.

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King’s childhoods had powerful

influences on the men and their speeches. Malcolm X was brought up in

an atmosphere of violence. During his childhood, Malcolm X suffered

not only from abuse by whites, but also from domestic violence. His

father beat his mother and both of them abused their children. His

mother was forced to raise eight children during the depression.

After his mother had a mental breakdown, the children were all placed

in foster homes. Malcolm X’s resentment was increased as he suffered

through the ravages of integrated schooling. Although an intelligent

student who shared the dream of being a lawyer with Martin Luther

King, Malcolm X’s anger and disillusionment caused him to drop out of

school. He started to use cocaine and set up a burglary ring to

support his expensive habit. Malcolm X’s hostility and promotion of

violence as a way of getting change was well established in his

childhood.