Martin Luther King vs. Malcolm X
By: Nikhil Prasad
Origins of King
King in the Civil Rights Movement
Malcom X Origins
X in the Civil Rights Movement
King during the Civil Rights Movement
King Addressing Followers
The Montgomery Boycott
King and his Family
MLK Arrested
Letter from Birmingham Jail
MLK's Funeral
Malcolm X in the Civil Rights
Freedom can't Wait
The Nation of Islam
Freedom by Any Means
Mecca
Militant Leaders
Assassination
MLK and Malcolm X
Malcolm X on the other hand believed that in order for the blacks to truly achieve civil rights they had to create their own society independent from whites and should defend themselves when faced with violence. "Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery." Malcolm wanted black people to take their freedom into their own hands and fight for their rights rather than waiting for the white men in charge to make a decision like MLK.
Martin Luther King was considered to be one of the most influential and peaceful Civil Rights leaders of his time. This is contrary to Malcolm X who was considered an agitator and urged blacks to defend themselves against white aggression. However both had the best interests of African Americans at heart. “You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.” John Lewis. Both men stood for what they believed in and they both died doing so. However they both wanted the best for their people and in the end were more alike than initially believed.