1960s Dbq

Whose philosophy made the most sense for America in the 1960s?
Imagine yourself being denied of having the freedom to own civil rights and liberties due to your indifference of having a different skin colour.The Civil Rights was one of the most influential periods of American history.The civil rights movement was the fight for freedom against the struggle for social injustice that was present during the 1960s for coloured people to gain the same privileges and opportunities rights of an American Citizen.But it was not until Malcolm X and Martin Luther King(MLK) created the momentum that was needed for the movement to spread worldwide gaining media attention. Without doubt the two most influential African Americans of its time used their voices

to take a stand while they seeked to start a revolution that would address the issue of social and economic injustice that was being lived by African Americans during the 1960s.Although both men seeked to achieve the same outcome while having a huge impact on people's lives,interestingly both leading figures had completely opposite philosophies when it came to down to approaching to the matter they wanted to rebel against.While Malcolm X philosophy was based upon the belief that reaching equality was nowhere near possible therefore that the separation of communities was going to be the solution for which was going to solve the issues that were present while making a radical change;King believed on the philosophy of using peaceful means in social change to achieve what was expected from the movement in making an advancement for civil rights.The result of this ideals was probably due to their different growing environments in their childhoods.Martin Luther King’s philosophy made the most sense for the civil rights movements in the 1960s,he believed that the integration of the races through non-violent protesting was the only way for blacks to be accepted.

Martin Luther King’s protest tactics created economic chaos that put pressure on them promoting businesses to change.With respect to economic separation,King's strategy choice was much more effective than Malcolm X’s for the mid-twentieth century.King's non-violent protesting was a preferable because it was based on suing economic tactics which was a strategy Malcolm X lacked,campaigns led by MLK like the bus boycott in Montgomery,Alabama and the sit-ins in Greensboro,North Carolina were all made in order to inflict financial pain on the business that were controlled by the white-communities who had biased beliefs of their race and opposed the justice of coloured people’s rights.There is nothing quite so effective as a refusal to cooperate economically with the the forces and institutions which perpetuate evil in our communities(Document F).This therefore put pressure on local authorities to think about making a change,a crystal clear one was desegregating communities as they were being struck economically.King’s vision was based under the assumption that was common between civil rights activist,which was that segregation between blacks and whites would never be equal.Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige of segregation and inferior education becomes a thing of the past-blacks and whites would study side by side in the socially healing context of classrooms(Document D).I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by their colour of their skin but by their character(Document B).One of the most famous events in history the “ i have a dream speech” during the march on Washington-MLK lays out the social change he would like to take place,in his speech he delivers the message of wanting an end of racial and economic injustice in America and wanting its citizens not to be judged by prejudice but by their character in them. This MLK strategies peaked the progress in the advancement of civil rights.

Martin Luther King’s philosophy on a non-violent strategy was more effective than the strategy of Malcolm X’s because his approach on protesting did create a larger support for the civil rights movement and campaigns.King makes statements that violence does not solve any problems.It was extremely important for blacks not to fight back with violence as that would have sparked a much worse situation with whites and also because it would help changes blacks and whites opinions of each other.It may increase hate,it is always a descending spiral to nowhere(Document J).Martin Luther King also stated that if the blacks would Emeterio a revolution they would greatly be outnumbered by whites which is why there only alternative to win is non-violence.This did not only put shame on whites and American government but it gained massive support from whites on making a social change.Thus,purely practical as well as moral terms,the American negro has a alternative to nonviolence(document L).King was convinced that his non-violent message in the country and the world was correct;violence creates violence.He says no matter what suffering whites inflict,his people will still love them.Do to us what you will and we will love you(document H).Kings perspective was to use a non-violent/loving response in order to create a change in the advancements of civil rights.

Martin luther king's philosophy was one that was willing to fight for a change indirectly it was a real approach while Malcolm's X strategy was starting to seem impossible.Malcolm X believed that the solution for black African Americans would come from coloured people being completely segregated from the white community-I tell sincere whites,work in conjunction with us but each of us working Amon our own kind(Document C),why would anyone think his approach to separation would ever be successful in the advancement of civil rights if people at that time were segregated and suffering from inequality of their constitutional rights.Malcolm’s ideologies were making any sense.Malcolm X once again referred to separation of races as he believed this would have liberated the minds of young black Americans from lies and distortions as he believed that integrated schools were going to be destructive for coloured minds under white authority-the organization of Afro-American unity..will liberate the minds of our children from the vicious lies and distortions that are fed to us from the cradle to keep us mentally enslaved(Document E).Malcolm X beliefs were leading into a direction of attempted failure this is because people segregated where already living a life of lies,the coloured people even knew it themselves...they were promised the act of separate but equal which never happened e.g separate schools never had same facilities and still faced the injustice of their rights.MAlcolm envisioned a philosophy in which people must take control of their own destiny,he believed that the African community should stand up for itself,and should not rely on the business and help of white communities because no change would take place therefore he encouraged coloured people to empower themselves by making businesses-the economic philosophy of black nationalism puts the burden upon the black man of learning how to control his own economy(Document G).Malcolm X strategy seemed quite impossible for the goal he wanted to achieve and at certain time seemed like he was looking for the easy way out far from really attempting in doing any change even though he believed one should have taken place.

In conclusion, even though both of this great leading figures in civil rights movement had different philosophies they respected their own ways on approaching the same problem.Example Document A:Image.King’s philosophy is shown to be the superiorior one that had made the most sense through his strategies during the civil rights movement because of its impact on societies that had led to future successes.