Реферат: Martin Luther King Jr. Vs Malcolm X

Martin Luther King appeared to many as calm and idealistic.

Many say his calmness came from his peaceful, middle-class life. For

instance, King preached about equality for blacks and whites. He also

preached about getting this equality through a non-violent way.

King’s popularity was more than any other black leader’s popularity.

“King urged blacks to win their rightful place in society by

gaining self-respect, high moral standards, hard work and leadership.

He also urged blacks to do this in a non-violent matter,” (pg. 255,

Reflecting Black)

The difference is in Malcolm X and Martin Luther King’s

backgrounds had a direct influence on their later viewpoints. As a

black youth, Malcolm X was rebellious and angry. He blamed the poor

social conditions that blacks lived in on the whites. “His past

ghetto life prepared him to reject non-violence and integration and to

accept a strong separatist philosophy as the basis for black

survival,” (Internet, Malcolm X anniversary).

He even believed at one time that whites were agents of the

devil. As a result, “Malcolm X recommended a separatist and

nationalist strategy for black survival,” (pg. 57, Malcolm X: The man

and his times)

He believed that only through violence would conditions

change. He saw no evidence that white society had any moral conscience

and promoted the role of the angry black against racist America.

King’s philosophies presented a sharp contrast to those of

Malcolm X. He believed that through hard work, strong leadership, and

non-violent tactics, blacks could achieve full equality with whites.

His belief in non-violence even extended to a woman who nearly killed

him. He was reported as saying, “don’t persecute her, get her

healed,” (pg. 52, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Movement).