Martin Luther King J. And Malcolm X Essay - 1103 Words

Around the mid-20th century, African Americans in the United States began their fight for civil rights. Among them were brave individuals who led the quest for equality regardless of the consequences that followed. Two of the most famous civil rights activists were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. They were both influential leaders of the civil rights movement who strove for a common goal, which was to create equality for African Americans. Although Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were both authoritative figures in the African-American civil rights movement, they differed significantly in their social backgrounds, religious beliefs, and ideologies, which affected their philosophies. The differences in Martin Luther King Jr. and†¦show more content†¦This resulted in Malcolm X facing racism daily as a child. At the age of six, The Ku Klux Klan tormented his family by burning down their house and murdering his father. His mother was left alone to raise eight children until she suffered from a nervous breakdown. She was sent to a psychiatric and the children were placed in white foster care. At school, Malcolm X faced racism from White teachers which eventually led to his dropout (Malcolm X). His early personal exposure to the brutality of racism shaped his philosophy and view point. The series of traumatizing events in his childhood made him feel lost and driven by hatred and revenge towards white people. Furthermore, the harsh conditions of his childhood made him accept separatist philosophy because he thought it was the only way for black survival. With the absence of family in his early life, Malcolm X was deeply driven by hate and revenge, which impacted his philosophy of acquiring civil rights by any means, even if it means violence and crossing the line. Furthermore, differences in their religious beliefs between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. influenced their contrasting philosophies. For his entire life, Christianity played a big role in Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy. One of the main reasons he became Christian was the impact of his father, Martin Luther King Sr., who was a preacher at the Ebenezer Baptist Church and had heavy involvement withShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King J. And Malcolm X Essay1547 Words   |  7 PagesAmericans were fortunate to have outstanding leaders who fought for a difference and change during the Civil Rights movement. Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were two powerful individuals who gave hope to African Americans and oppressed people in the United States. They are both well known individuals for their Civil Rights protesting. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both spread the message about African Americans having power and strength in the center of all the hatred and discriminationRead MoreTo What Extent Has the Importance of Martin Luther King Been Exaggerated2232 Words   |  9 Pagesfar has the importance of Martin Luther King been exaggerated? The significance of Martin Luther King’s role during the Civil Rights Movement in the USA has become a matter for debate. In this essay I will examine the importance of his role along with many other factors. Shortly after King graduated with a Doctorates in Theology at the University of Boston, he was instantly involved in the attempts to improve black peoples rights in predominantly the South of America. King was the harbinger of CivilRead MoreEssay on Black Arts Movement1626 Words   |  7 Pages(Smith). This movement created the most prevalent era in black art history by taking stereotypes and racism and turning it into artistic value. This connection between black art and politics was first made clear in a great essay written by Larry Neal in the summer of 1968. This essay illustrated the Black Arts Movements manifesto or plan. Neal wrote: The Black Arts Movement is radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community (Smith). Meaning, all black peopleRead MoreBlack Arts Movement Essay1606 Words   |  7 Pages(Smith). This movement created the most prevalent era in black art history by taking stereotypes and racism and turning it into artistic value. This connection between black art and politics was first made clear in a great essay written by Larry Neal in the summer of 1968. This essay illustrated the Black Arts Movements manifesto or plan. Neal wrote: The Black Arts Movement is radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community (Smith). Meaning, all black peopleRead More John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement Essay2927 Words   |  12 Pagescivil rights issue. While many citizens were on Kennedy’s side, he had his share of opposition. Malcolm X differed on the view of the President and observed that the civil rights movement wasn’t happening at the speed Kennedy had pledged. Malcolm X possessed other reasons for his dislike of John F. Kennedy and his brothers, especially Robert. The Kennedy government stood for racial liberalism and Malcolm X argued their true intentions for the civil rights movement weren’t in the best interest of theRead MoreMalcolm X: Historica l Perceptions3235 Words   |  13 PagesTHESIS The impetus for the development for this major work arose from the varied and largely, colorful interpretations of Malcolm X. The differences seem to have arisen from scholars and historians use and understanding of many different and varied sources and most important, their own perspective of the events as they unfolded. How historians approached Malcolm X is of paramount importance to future historians and more importantly, to the study of history. Principally, these differences of thoughtRead More Homosexuals and James Baldwins Role in the Civil Rights Movement1512 Words   |  7 Pages During the Civil Rights Movement, James Baldwin wrote many articles and essays on racial issues. His unique and powerful style invoked the thoughts of many people. What also made Baldwin stand out from others was his homosexuality. Baldwin wrote several essays and novels that had a homosexual theme rooted within the story. It was through this method that Baldwin was able to express his homosexuality and at the same time present a view of black culture that was highly unacceptableRead MoreThe History of African-Americans to Attain Equality and Civil Rights2623 Words   |  11 PagesPeople, the Congress of Racial Equality, the Urban League, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference are noticeable for their involvement in the struggle in the twentieth century for the expansion of civil rights for  African-Americans. Martin Luther King, Jr., led the civil rights movement in the late 1950s and 60s. His daunting leadership along with the executive leadership of Pr esident Lyndon B. Johnson was the sole reason of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which can be said toRead MoreThe Presence Of Political And Social Messages Essay2371 Words   |  10 Pages MUSC1700 Major Essay Lily Jordan 43194885 Explore The Presence Of Political and Social Messages In Popular Music: Soul music as a vehicle of social and political expression. Word count: 1980 â€Æ' Introduction Music has a dynamic ability of influencing emotions, from mood regulation to rumination and self-expression. The presence of political and social messages in popular music is frequently seen across cultures, in particular focusing on social issues and racism (Back, 2000, 127). This paperRead MoreAugust Wilson3685 Words   |  15 PagesWhat has he done to merit them? What makes this man important enough to do a research paper on? Why not Langston Hughes or Martin Luther King, Jr.? What makes this man matter in this society? As I continued my research I realized that, throughout my entire life, I had been deprived of knowing about such a man as August Wilson. I realized he stands for what Martin Luther King, Jr. stands for. He writes in the ways of Imamu Amiri Baraka, Langston Hughes, and Ralph Ellison. Through what Wilson has accomplished