Dr. King & Malcolm X Pt. 1

During the 1950s and 1960s African Americans and their supporters challenged segregation laws and fought for Civil rights. But these black people were not unorganized; they had leaders of their own. Although they were leading the same cause, they had different viewpoints about achieving the generic goal. Two of these leaders were Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were both two of the strongest and most influential civil rights activists. Both men were similar in many ways, but yet at the same time were very, very different. Their views on dealing with oppression both had the same idea but their methods in dealing with it contrast (Comparing Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X, 2005).

“Oppressed people deal with their oppression in three characteristic ways. One way is acquiescence: the oppressed resign themselves to their doom.” (King, p. 301) They have become so accustom to being slaves that they are worn down by oppression and give up. A Negro guitarist from Atlanta used to sing almost daily: “Been down so long that down don’t bother me.” They accepted oppression passively and have become as evil as the oppressor (King, p. 301). A second way that oppressed people deal with oppression is physical violence, which was often judged as being impractical, immoral and destruction for all. The third way oppressed people deal with oppression is the way of nonviolent resistance. This seeks reconcile to both acquiescence and violence, while avoiding the immoralities of both. (King, p. 302)To begin with, Dr. King’s views about dealing with oppression, was that he believed freedom could be obtained through peaceful tactics.

“Violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem; it merely creates new and more complicated ones.” (King, p. 302) Dr. King strives more for brotherhood. Violence in his eyes destroys love and builds hatred instead.