Martin Luther King (MLK) Or Malcolm X
Who achieved more for black Americans, Martin Luther king (MLK) or Malcolm X
During the period of the 1950’s, black people were discriminated against and received unfair treatment because of white people’s opinion on the race. Black people at the time had to live in very bad conditions, health, housing and school wise. It was enforced very harshly that white and black people (or people of colour) to be separated. This washarsher in the south due to the fact they were more openly racist than the north of America. This is due to slavery as most farms were founded in the south. White people still wanted to hold onto there belief of power and higher status. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery. In 1890s there was a marked increase in laws …show more content…
enforcing racial discrimination that was aimed at African Americans. The laws passed in each state used a Supreme Court judgement from 1896 known as the Plessy Decision. This allowed the rights advocated the right of states to enforce racial segregation; it stated “separate but equal” was an acceptable policy. The Jim crew laws enabled that black people would always be deemed as a lower status. Schools, buses, shops and even things as minor as water fountains showcased the South of Americas segregation laws. Yet even in the north, segregation prevailed. Black people were only offered the lowest paid jobs, poor education and low paid jobs restrained people in staying in bad conditions instead of improving. This resulted in drugs and crime becoming extremely tempting and dysfunctional families became very common. In the 1960s there were two prominent African American citizens who were trying to fight against the injustice of racism and severe segregation. These two citizens were Martin Luther King ( MLK ) and Malcom X ( MX).Through out my essay I’m going to be discussing how these two individuals tried to rectify the division between white and black American’s with the civil rights movement.
My personal view is that Martin Luther King and Malcom X were as significant as each other. That is because MLK made legal change but MX managed to stir up support in the south due to his relatability. I will be examining their achievementachievements, support and legacy.
MLK made a massive impact on the civil rights movement and achieved many great things. MLK believed in equality and for all forms of segregation to be abolished. One of Martin Luther king’s greatest achievements was the Montgomery bus boycott. On the 1st of December 1955 Rosa Parks (who was a black woman) refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white person. In Montgomery, Alabama the buses were segregated and the front 5 rows were for white people only. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, even when the driver threatened her with arrest for breaking the law, she still didn’t move. Rosa was part of a group called the NAACP. The group worked with church and college organisations to set up a one day boycott of Montgomery buses on the day the day of Rosa’s trial. Rosa was found guilty. This caused …show more content…
protestors to set up the MIA (Montgomery Improvement association) which aimed to improve integration- starting with buses. This group chose MLK to be a chairman and lead the movement. The MIA asked all black people to boycott Montgomery buses and as 70% of bus drivers were black a large majority agreed. In a source it reads “…it is the second time since the Claudette Colvin Case… that a negro woman has been arrested for the same thing. This has to be stopped. The next time it may be you, or your daughter, or your mother. This woman’s case comes up on Monday. We are asking every Negro to stay off the buses Monday in protest of the arrest and trial. Please, children and grown-ups don’t ride the bus on Monday”. The purpose of the leaflet was to support the campaign and for people to stay off the buses. The person reading this would get the impression that the black women are quite vulnerable and by following the campaign you are protecting them. Most black men would join the campaign because of this as a form of protection.Also women might become fearful reading the leaflet as they know they won’t be treated well in prison.InSome cases employees were sacked if they participated in the boycott and boycott leaders were arrested as there was a “no boycott law in Alabama). The boycott went on for 381 days. The MIA organized lifts and asked black taxi firms to charge less during the boycott. Nearly every black person supported it and even some white people did. The bus company lost a huge sum of money. This gave Alabama a bad reputation not only nationally but world wide to. The impact this had was because the state government wouldn’t change the law, the Supreme Court had to take action. This caused segregation on buses illegal beginning on the 19thDecember 1956 throughout America.In source C “MLK and other members of the MIA ride a bus in Montgomery on 21st December 1956, once the supreme court ruling passed “. The image is of MLK sitting besides a white man on a bus. This represents they want to demonstrate there has been a success on the buses. The image would have most likely been in a newspaper, seeing this would motivate other black people that change is possible. It also shows Non- violence works. It is reliable as an image cant be ignoredand anyonewould be able to see progress within the movement. This would show his achievement did have the flaw that it took a very long period of time. Also as the ruling was unpopular with many white people the treatment on the buses was still unfair. Even though MLK had managed to make legal change, there wasn’t much success socially. However overall it was a huge success because the buses were desegregated all over America and it affected everyone (from the young to the old). Also the success of the boycott..Malcolm X may not have had an achievement that was as great as MLK but in contrast he was successful as he was able to win over support from lower class/working black people. Malcolm x had a troubled childhood with a poor education. He, himself was a victim of a Klu Klux Klan attack, the Klu Klux Klan ruined not only his home but killed his father. Due to this, as he was a public figure he was able to relate more widely to angry black people. He may have had social support but he didn’t have legal support. Malcolm X, in some cases may be considered and argued a better leader than MLK as he represented and voiced the opinions of the people who didn’t agree with MLK’s peaceful approaches. His famous speech “by and means necessary “made complete sense in the 1960s as black people couldn’t take racism anymore. MX focused on the inequalities face by black people everywhere where as MLK focused on voting registration and desegregation in the south. Of these two individuals MLK did the most, he had legal support and popularity.
Another important factor during the civil rights movement was support.
MLK came from a middle class background and was very well educated. People respected him for this reason. He attracted support from middle-class, northern, black people. MLK was a Baptist Minister who became world famous leader of the civil rights movement. King’s first important civil rights campaign was Montgomery Bus Boycott. His Christian faith, and his admiration of the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests, meant he was a firm supporter of non-violent direct action. He was an inspiring speaker and convinced many people to play a part in demonstration boycotts and sit-ins, despite the fact that they were likely to be arrested, imprisoned or attacked. MLK gained popularity in the north and protests spread through the south. During the civil rights movement Malcolm X was more expressive and fluent in explain the condition that black people in America dealt with and for the reason had masses of support in the south and north. The two individuals came from to very different households and backgrounds. MX brought many of the inequalities and discrimination that black people suffered to the general public’s attention. MX coherently associates with his own race as he endured all of the difficulties that the lower black person suffered. Young blacks unintentionally found themselves participating in crime due to the complete lack of options and opportunities. Like other black people, MX was also
involved in illegal activities. MX could also relate to lower class black people as his witnessed his family be inhumanely attacked by the KKK and fall apart due to society.MLK indisputably showcased some of the values of black Americans (and was a great leader) but he can be considered just a “notice board “because white people liked his peaceful approach. MX underwent the same treatment of and everyday working class black person therefore he understands and relate better than other civil rights leaders e.g. MLK. A source that shows MX significance was in a book named “Look out whitey! Black powers gonna get your momma!”(About black power written in 1968). A quote from the book was“more than anyone else, MX was responsible for the growing awareness and militancy among black people…he didn’t to wake America’s conscience. He knew America had no conscience”. The person who wrote this book believes strongly in MX. But looking at the title of the book you can tell this person supports MX/ nation of Islam and believes in direct action that involves violence. This source is limited because he just demonstrates the positive side and the quote aren’t backed by any facts or statistics. Another source that shows MX was more supported was a poll that asked “if you were seeking a leader to help you secure your civil rights in the 1950s and 60s, who would you stand with?”.The percentage was 61% would select MX and MLK received 38% of being chosen as leader. A total number of poll participants were 1851. A restriction of this source was it is just based of opinion and not everyone was asked. Overall I believe mx was the most significant when it came to support. I think this because people during that time would have seen the quickest way for change would come through a strong leader.
An additional factor of the civil rights movement was the amount of legacy they left behind by the two individuals, MLK and MX. Martin Luther king can be argued as the best leader and that is why he is taught about in schools. MLKs approach to civil rights/ equality was non-violent protesting, speaking out against using violence, passive resistance and motivating others to be peaceful by teachings from the bible. Martin Luther King had a much bigger impact on society and political change than MX and for that reason would be more taught about in school. Most schools like to teach about trying to change the system through peace rather than being violent to take over of the country. The government would be enforce teachings of MLK in the school curriculum because of his non-violent approach rather than someone trying to attempt change by using forceful tactics, like mx, as it would teach children that violent revolution or uprising is acceptable to create change . In contrast MX is remembered as a terrorist because of his acceptance to forceful and violent approach.
During the period of the 1950’s, black people were discriminated against and received unfair treatment because of white people’s opinion on the race. Black people at the time had to live in very bad conditions, health, housing and school wise. It was enforced very harshly that white and black people (or people of colour) to be separated. This washarsher in the south due to the fact they were more openly racist than the north of America. This is due to slavery as most farms were founded in the south. White people still wanted to hold onto there belief of power and higher status. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery. In 1890s there was a marked increase in laws …show more content…
enforcing racial discrimination that was aimed at African Americans. The laws passed in each state used a Supreme Court judgement from 1896 known as the Plessy Decision. This allowed the rights advocated the right of states to enforce racial segregation; it stated “separate but equal” was an acceptable policy. The Jim crew laws enabled that black people would always be deemed as a lower status. Schools, buses, shops and even things as minor as water fountains showcased the South of Americas segregation laws. Yet even in the north, segregation prevailed. Black people were only offered the lowest paid jobs, poor education and low paid jobs restrained people in staying in bad conditions instead of improving. This resulted in drugs and crime becoming extremely tempting and dysfunctional families became very common. In the 1960s there were two prominent African American citizens who were trying to fight against the injustice of racism and severe segregation. These two citizens were Martin Luther King ( MLK ) and Malcom X ( MX).Through out my essay I’m going to be discussing how these two individuals tried to rectify the division between white and black American’s with the civil rights movement.
My personal view is that Martin Luther King and Malcom X were as significant as each other. That is because MLK made legal change but MX managed to stir up support in the south due to his relatability. I will be examining their achievementachievements, support and legacy.
MLK made a massive impact on the civil rights movement and achieved many great things. MLK believed in equality and for all forms of segregation to be abolished. One of Martin Luther king’s greatest achievements was the Montgomery bus boycott. On the 1st of December 1955 Rosa Parks (who was a black woman) refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white person. In Montgomery, Alabama the buses were segregated and the front 5 rows were for white people only. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, even when the driver threatened her with arrest for breaking the law, she still didn’t move. Rosa was part of a group called the NAACP. The group worked with church and college organisations to set up a one day boycott of Montgomery buses on the day the day of Rosa’s trial. Rosa was found guilty. This caused …show more content…
protestors to set up the MIA (Montgomery Improvement association) which aimed to improve integration- starting with buses. This group chose MLK to be a chairman and lead the movement. The MIA asked all black people to boycott Montgomery buses and as 70% of bus drivers were black a large majority agreed. In a source it reads “…it is the second time since the Claudette Colvin Case… that a negro woman has been arrested for the same thing. This has to be stopped. The next time it may be you, or your daughter, or your mother. This woman’s case comes up on Monday. We are asking every Negro to stay off the buses Monday in protest of the arrest and trial. Please, children and grown-ups don’t ride the bus on Monday”. The purpose of the leaflet was to support the campaign and for people to stay off the buses. The person reading this would get the impression that the black women are quite vulnerable and by following the campaign you are protecting them. Most black men would join the campaign because of this as a form of protection.Also women might become fearful reading the leaflet as they know they won’t be treated well in prison.InSome cases employees were sacked if they participated in the boycott and boycott leaders were arrested as there was a “no boycott law in Alabama). The boycott went on for 381 days. The MIA organized lifts and asked black taxi firms to charge less during the boycott. Nearly every black person supported it and even some white people did. The bus company lost a huge sum of money. This gave Alabama a bad reputation not only nationally but world wide to. The impact this had was because the state government wouldn’t change the law, the Supreme Court had to take action. This caused segregation on buses illegal beginning on the 19thDecember 1956 throughout America.In source C “MLK and other members of the MIA ride a bus in Montgomery on 21st December 1956, once the supreme court ruling passed “. The image is of MLK sitting besides a white man on a bus. This represents they want to demonstrate there has been a success on the buses. The image would have most likely been in a newspaper, seeing this would motivate other black people that change is possible. It also shows Non- violence works. It is reliable as an image cant be ignoredand anyonewould be able to see progress within the movement. This would show his achievement did have the flaw that it took a very long period of time. Also as the ruling was unpopular with many white people the treatment on the buses was still unfair. Even though MLK had managed to make legal change, there wasn’t much success socially. However overall it was a huge success because the buses were desegregated all over America and it affected everyone (from the young to the old). Also the success of the boycott..Malcolm X may not have had an achievement that was as great as MLK but in contrast he was successful as he was able to win over support from lower class/working black people. Malcolm x had a troubled childhood with a poor education. He, himself was a victim of a Klu Klux Klan attack, the Klu Klux Klan ruined not only his home but killed his father. Due to this, as he was a public figure he was able to relate more widely to angry black people. He may have had social support but he didn’t have legal support. Malcolm X, in some cases may be considered and argued a better leader than MLK as he represented and voiced the opinions of the people who didn’t agree with MLK’s peaceful approaches. His famous speech “by and means necessary “made complete sense in the 1960s as black people couldn’t take racism anymore. MX focused on the inequalities face by black people everywhere where as MLK focused on voting registration and desegregation in the south. Of these two individuals MLK did the most, he had legal support and popularity.
Another important factor during the civil rights movement was support.
MLK came from a middle class background and was very well educated. People respected him for this reason. He attracted support from middle-class, northern, black people. MLK was a Baptist Minister who became world famous leader of the civil rights movement. King’s first important civil rights campaign was Montgomery Bus Boycott. His Christian faith, and his admiration of the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests, meant he was a firm supporter of non-violent direct action. He was an inspiring speaker and convinced many people to play a part in demonstration boycotts and sit-ins, despite the fact that they were likely to be arrested, imprisoned or attacked. MLK gained popularity in the north and protests spread through the south. During the civil rights movement Malcolm X was more expressive and fluent in explain the condition that black people in America dealt with and for the reason had masses of support in the south and north. The two individuals came from to very different households and backgrounds. MX brought many of the inequalities and discrimination that black people suffered to the general public’s attention. MX coherently associates with his own race as he endured all of the difficulties that the lower black person suffered. Young blacks unintentionally found themselves participating in crime due to the complete lack of options and opportunities. Like other black people, MX was also
involved in illegal activities. MX could also relate to lower class black people as his witnessed his family be inhumanely attacked by the KKK and fall apart due to society.MLK indisputably showcased some of the values of black Americans (and was a great leader) but he can be considered just a “notice board “because white people liked his peaceful approach. MX underwent the same treatment of and everyday working class black person therefore he understands and relate better than other civil rights leaders e.g. MLK. A source that shows MX significance was in a book named “Look out whitey! Black powers gonna get your momma!”(About black power written in 1968). A quote from the book was“more than anyone else, MX was responsible for the growing awareness and militancy among black people…he didn’t to wake America’s conscience. He knew America had no conscience”. The person who wrote this book believes strongly in MX. But looking at the title of the book you can tell this person supports MX/ nation of Islam and believes in direct action that involves violence. This source is limited because he just demonstrates the positive side and the quote aren’t backed by any facts or statistics. Another source that shows MX was more supported was a poll that asked “if you were seeking a leader to help you secure your civil rights in the 1950s and 60s, who would you stand with?”.The percentage was 61% would select MX and MLK received 38% of being chosen as leader. A total number of poll participants were 1851. A restriction of this source was it is just based of opinion and not everyone was asked. Overall I believe mx was the most significant when it came to support. I think this because people during that time would have seen the quickest way for change would come through a strong leader.
An additional factor of the civil rights movement was the amount of legacy they left behind by the two individuals, MLK and MX. Martin Luther king can be argued as the best leader and that is why he is taught about in schools. MLKs approach to civil rights/ equality was non-violent protesting, speaking out against using violence, passive resistance and motivating others to be peaceful by teachings from the bible. Martin Luther King had a much bigger impact on society and political change than MX and for that reason would be more taught about in school. Most schools like to teach about trying to change the system through peace rather than being violent to take over of the country. The government would be enforce teachings of MLK in the school curriculum because of his non-violent approach rather than someone trying to attempt change by using forceful tactics, like mx, as it would teach children that violent revolution or uprising is acceptable to create change . In contrast MX is remembered as a terrorist because of his acceptance to forceful and violent approach.