Malcolm X vs. MLK .docx Essays - Identity Politics, Activism

A COMPARISON of MARTIN LUTHER KING AND MALCOLM X PHILOSOPHIES Jarrod Davis History 115 Dr. Tamara Brown November 16, 2017 Martin L uther King Jr. and Malcolm X were prominent African Americ an activists whose impact on American politics is worth remembrance. The two individuals stood for the case of justice especially at a time when the African-Americans were highly victimiz ed. Their approach, tac tics, and philosophies were vastly different. While Martin adopted a rather peaceful and calm campaign, Malcolm was more of radical and ready to face discrimination with violence . His radicalness is attributed to the harsh environment that he grew up in and his religious outlook as a Muslim. In fact, one of his most remembered phrases is "By Any Means Necessary." Though his outlook and political outlook changed later, Malcolm was a radical political philosopher. On the other hand, Martin Luther grew in a middle- class family and became a minister . He was non-violent, carried a philosophy of peaceful campaigns for civil rights and for fair treatment of all regardless of their race. Nonetheless, the need to free non- free people, fighting oppression and inequality are similar philosophies that the two shared. Malcolm X grew up in a rather hostile environment. As an African-American, and a Muslim too, Malcolm grew up in a segregated environment where it was believed that African American's were treated with contempt. He believed that the only way that African-Americans would find their way out of this bondage would only be through resistance . Malcolm was encouraged by his Muslim background where he felt that as a son of Allah, he was given the chance to defend his own right s . This is the same outlook that he carried wh en he joined the political atmosphere . Malcolm argued that the minority ( African-Americans) too needed and wanted their say and their space just l ike the majority has their say. In this regard, Malcolm and his followers engaged the existent governments in rather repuls ive manners that were of violence . Inasmuch as it worked for some time, some people felt that the real solutions were never found. Malcolm carried the political ph ilosophy of Black Nationalism. In his 1964 address, Malcolm said that it is either the black American gets justice by either the ballot or by the bullet . He said that he was the black man living under the authority of the white man. Malcolm urged the black community that it was the time that they were governed by their own people. Malcolm argued that if the black population reiterates to their own location, then it was time. His philosophy as he argues was led by a deep thought of the economic conditions meted on the black community after being led by the white man. His argument was rather aggressive against the white man, and if justice was not to be served, then the bullet was the ultimate solution. Martin Luther King Jr's political ideology was however different. He assumed a political ideology that carried justice for all and campaigned for the rights of the black community at the same time. Martin Luther's ideology turned different from that of Malcolm X in that he assumed a non-violent manner of approaching problems that were faced by the black community. Having been a priest, Martin believed that treating everyone equal, regardless of their race was the ultimate solution to the problems that were faced by the black community. In one of his most moving speeches, Martin Luther said, " Life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality . " His speech directed that regardless of being different, there was no need for one race to be against the other. Martin Luther acknowledged ra cial prejudice is a ground built on fears suspicions and misun derstandings which create such even more misunderstand ing within society. He was therefore against this move ment with a rather nonviolent move ment . His political ideology were more of nonviolence and created unity among st different members amongst races, and religion. His thoughts were also with the poor members of the community where he argued that they should never