Similarities Between Peter Tosh And Malcolm X

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Comparing Peter Tosh and Malcolm X

Introduction:

Who Were These Men?

Maya Angelou, a contemporary author and poet, once asserted,"No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place."It is this quote that serves as the underlying principle in an effort to demonstrate the commonalities that tie Peter Tosh and Malcolm X together by a similar history of slavery. No other quote is more fitting to exemplify how Peter Tosh and Malcolm X came to understand themselves and their relation to the rest of mankind. Maya Angelou's statement epitomized their goals, personalities, and the sentiment that Peter Tosh and Malcolm X tried to instill in all oppressed people. At the very least, their legacies have reminded all persecuted people to stand up, fight, and let the glory of each individual shine. This was their message. …show more content…

Peter, as a student of music, moved to the city of Kingston to further his talents. In a short time, he met Nesta Robert Marley and Neville O'Reilly Livingston (Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer). Together, they soon went on to lead the most influential reggae band the world had ever heard, the Wailers (Steffens, 1997). Through their music, they helped to bring the black plight to the forefront of Jamaican politics, for they sang of injustices associated with"Babylon."Malcolm X, however, led a completely different lifestyle from Tosh's when he chose a city atmosphere to live as well. At the age of fourteen he left his family in Nebraska, and was able to attain a job aboard a train. Unlike Peter, who knew his future was in music, Malcolm had no idea of where he was going. While working for the commuter train he made his home in Harlem, where he quickly began to satisfy himself through prostitutes, drugs, and alcohol (Malcolm X and Haley,

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