Martin Luther King Jr's Letter To Malcolm X

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Martin Luther King vs. Malcolm X Response Paper
Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were influential figures in our history, contributing to a course change during the Civil Rights Movement. Although, they had different solutions to ending the inequality and mistreatment of blacks, I find both of their arguments to be powerful.
Dr. Luther King was born in a middle class family and received a good education. King fought hard for integration and economic justice for the blacks. King’s philosophy is based on Gandhi’s teachings, therefore, he preaches nonviolent resistance to be the best solution. Not everyone agreed with that, especially seeing much hate and violence from whites, more so in the South. Alternative to King’s approach is Malcolm …show more content…

Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963) is a famous example of his approach. The letter is addressed to the clergymen that criticized him, however, it exudes eloquence, and peaceful solution to the problem. He urges that segregation must come to an end, pointing out that blacks use courage and “willingness to suffer” for this cause. He adds: “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” proving that blacks’ resistance is justifiable. In contrast, Malcolm X’s Message to the Grass Roots (1963) has a different tone. He sounds bitter by repeating the injustices done to the blacks over centuries, even saying, “So we are all black people, so-called Negroes, second-class citizens, ex-slaves.” This plays on pathos, which arouses anger and search for justice in black citizens. The message that Malcolm tries to send out is blacks need to unite and fight for their rights, even if it necessitates violence. I am against violence, however, he makes a great point: “How can you justify being nonviolent in Mississippi and Alabama, when your churches are being bombed and your little girls are being murdered, and at the same time you are going to get violent with Hitler, and Tojo, and somebody else you don’t even know?” Many blacks helped in wars protecting the liberty of our country, but when returned home they were not treated

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