Martin Luther King Jr Vs Malcolm X

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During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were two important role models who represented the voices of African Americans who could not find justice from racial prejudice and discrimination against themselves in the United States. Although Malcolm X’s approach on social justice presented strong points during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s approach on achieving social justice was more effective. Nonviolent direct actions, which include silent protests, are powerful because they draw attention, creates an impact, and become memorable. These actions allowed individuals to sympathize with the struggles of African Americans, and their pain of having to deal with such discrimination almost daily. …show more content…
In his Autobiography of Malcolm X, From “Chapter Nineteen 1965”, Malcolm X states, “I firmly believe that Negroes have the right to fight against these racists, by any means that are necessary (Malcolm X).” Malcolm X advocating violence to fight racism built up more hate and anger, which postponed any progress in securing human rights for African Americans. A strong point in Martin Luther King Jr.’s practice of nonviolence was that he believed that love was strong. In a PBS interview of Martin Luther King with Kenneth B. Clark, King stated that, “I think of love as something strong and it organizes itself, and is powerful... a direction action.” Love and hate are both strong emotions; however, love is stronger than hate because it is able to overpower hate, whereas hate multiplies and spreads. In King’s, “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, he wrote, “... we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men to rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood (King).” Furthermore, being able to overcome hatred allows progress for a person to change and