Dr. King & Malcolm X Pt. 2

The purpose defeats itself and often destroys community (King, p. 302). Martin Luther King’s method in dealing with oppression was through boycotts, sit-ins and marches. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, he talks about rights to live and the pursuit of happiness. Then he states, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”. Malcolm X on the other hand had different methods of his own.

Malcolm X, the black nationalist encouraged African Americans to fight racial oppression “by any means necessary.” (Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?, 2005) Malcolm X says that blacks should unite together and fight against their common enemy. “In areas of this country where the government has proven either its inability or its unwillingness to protect the lives and property of our people, then it’s only fair to expect us to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves.” (Crane, p. 305) Malcolm X’s speeches were often times interpreted as being threats because he feels that there are times where the government’s ability to protect us was broken down. The people have respect for the government but the government however doesn’t have respect for its people. The neighborhood communities are endangered and the law can’t do anything about it. “…Our people will never be respected as human beings until we react as other normal, intelligent human beings do.” (Crane, p. 306)

I believe that freedom of oppression can be dealt with the methods of Dr. King. A peaceful solution is always the best way to overcome a problem but sometimes the situation is so overwhelming that violence is the only path to resolution. After comparing the methods of both these influential men, I can see that they both have the same idea, but their methods were much different. Dr. King wanted a peaceful protest to open the eyes of the white and black public, where as Malcolm X wanted change and he wanted it now, even if violence was necessary.

References
Comparing Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X. (2005). ECheat. Retrieved from http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=26360
Crane, L. (2003). Necessary to Protect Ourselves. The Language of Literature: American Literature (Florida Ed.). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.
King, M. L. (2003). Stride Toward Freedom. The Language of Literature: American Literature (Florida Ed.). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution? (2005). OAH Magazine, 19. Retrieved from http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/liberation_curriculum/malcolmx/index.htm