Malcolm X And Mlk Similarities

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Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and Malcolm X – the African American individuals are known as prominent civil rights leaders in the world history. Both had one goal – to bring forth improvement in the status of the ‘black people’ in the United States . It was surprising to note that though they came from different backgrounds and were termed as different as oil and water, both had the same goal, ‘to end exploitation, discrimination and racism’.
It is a universal fact that no two great men are alike and the same is true in case of MLK and Malcolm X. in case of drawing comparison and contrast, it can be seen that truly both the leaders were so different from each other that sometimes it is surprising how even these two leaders can be placed alongside
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In MLK’s opinion, all the races coming together for the purpose of eradicating hatred can lead to the much desired integration and that, only integration can erase the discrimination of black and white. But Malcolm X has an altogether different perspective concerning the March for his thoughts define integration as the ultimate reason for destroying the distinction between black and white people. Malcolm was found to be more concerned about the American Blacks helping each other. Unity along with self-respect among the Blacks was something Malcolm emphasized on more than anything, which is to say, more than Martin Luther King’s proposed idea of …show more content…
Both demanded justice for the people who have been discriminated as well as marginalized unethically and unlawfully on the grounds of race and color of skin. MLK’s approach towards the norm of civil rights and equality was that of non-violent protesting and passive resistance which in his own terms are called ‘weapons of love’. But when it comes to Malcolm’s approach, he has been recorded to be highly suspicious of the whites and was willing to implement his philosophy of ‘by any means necessary’ in order to achieve equality. Difference of religions and upbringing may have played the trick in shaping the perspectives of these two men completely differently. Moreover, MLK had a secured peaceful childhood whereas Malcolm X had to go through a lot including his father’s murder, burning down of his house, mother’s breakdown that ensured traumatic primitive years of his life. So from the points regarding their childhood, growing up experience, lifestyle; it can be assumed on what their respective beliefs and ideas were grounded . Therein lies MLK’s perspective towards equality and goodness of man, and Malcolm’s anger tinted bitter harsh perspective of treating the world unfairly as he had been