Men of Humanity and Peace

Men of Humanity and Peace

• “Everything has its opposite. Black has White. Night has day. Hard, soft. Hot,cold. If there was a Martin Luther King Jr, there had to be a Malcolm X (Dr Arthur N Lewin)”

             Blacks in America and leaders of the sixties shared similar feelings towards the white run American society in which they lived. Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, all blamed the whites for the racism which existed.  However, they agreed that it was up to the black society to end this problem.  Using the black society, for each of their pace “The ballot or the bullet” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” had their own idea of how racism could be stopped. Unfortunately, for some, such as X, this involved the use of violence, while others, such as King, favored the non-violent approach. This paper will focus, on the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Minister Malcolm X they are both strong representations of two different approaches to a common goal. Before looking at both pace let us look at both individuals in their childhood to gain a clear vision as to why both are different and yet the alike.

            Malcolm X as a child faces hardship coming for a burning home and his father who was a farmer in Michigan and who also was killed by a group of mod. After Malcolm father was killed he was left to help the family. Things started going wrong as he later on finds himself in jail for stilling, while in jail he was influenced by the teachings of Mohammed, from there he became a Muslim after spending time in jail. When he came out he Joined Black Muslims under Elijah Mohammed Malcolm traveled the world to learn about other black cultures, he find himself going on a pilgrimage to Mecca,  when came back to the United State he was suspicious of whites; willing to use "any means necessary" to achieve equality.

            Martin Luther King, jr as a child lived in the middle class Black section of the largest city in the South. Martin attended the local Black high school graduating at the age of 15 and   everyone there was a professional: a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher, or they owned their own business. Martin Luther King, SR. was a prominent minister in Atlanta, Georgia. He entered Morehouse College, also in Atlanta, finishing at 19 at the very top of his class. Later in Martin life he became a Baptist minister who follow the rules of Non-violent protesting, peaking out for non-violence, passive resistance, use what he called  "Weapons of love:"

            Malcolm X speech “The Ballot or Bullet” was birth on 3th of April 1964, in Cleveland OH. Malcolm X speech proposes a concrete plan for his fellowmen to promote social changes in the black American society. He believes in the power and influence of the United Nations in acting as intermediary for the black American society “We want to hear new ideas and new solutions and new answers. And at that time, if we see fit then to form a Black Nationalist party, we'll form a Black Nationalist party. If it's necessary to form a Black Nationalist army, we'll form a Black Nationalist army. It'll be the ballot or the bullet. It'll be liberty or it'll be death.” (Malcolm X.The Autobiography of Malcolm X) He encouraged blacks to hate white America and to revolt against them.  In his speeches he delivered in a revolutionary tone which could incite his

listeners to hatred of white America. “Any time you and I sit around and read where they bomb a church and murder in cold blood, not some grownups, but four little girls while they were praying to the same god the white man taught them to pray to, and you and I see the government go down and can't find who did it.” (Malcolm X Speaks, 23-44) He used direct and to the point language which could be understood by all levels of society. “The only thing that I've ever said is that in areas where the government has proven itself either unwilling or unable to defend the lives and the property of Negroes, it's time for Negroes to defend themselves.” (The Ballot or the Bullet. The Borzoi College Reader, 2nd Edition.) Malcolm X’s despair about life was reflected in his angry, pessimistic belief that equality is impossible because whites have no moral conscience. “This is pitiful. But it's not pitiful for us any longer; it's actually pitiful for the white man, because soon now, as the negro awakens a little more and sees the vise that he's in, sees the bag that he's in, sees the real game that he's in, then the Negro's going to develop a new tactic.” (The Ballot or the Bullet.  The Borzoi College Reader, 2nd Edition.) He encouraged blacks to hate white America and to revolt against them. “Revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way,” (Malcolm X Speaks, 23-44) later in his speech he came to realized by saying “We will work with anybody, anywhere, at any time, who is genuinely interested in tackling the problem head-on, nonviolently as long as the enemy is nonviolent, but violent when the enemy gets violent.”  (Malcolm X Speaks 23-44).

             In contrast, Martin Luther King, jr sees the whites more as victims of violence than creators of violence. He blames the violence, itself, on evil forces, King basically adopted on an internationalist philosophy, whereby he felt that blacks and whites should be united and live together in peace. Therefore, one can see why King rejects the idea of using violence to achieve his goals.  Only love can defeat evil. “We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community (Zoe Trodd, American Protest Literature 346-353). Aside from their basic methods of achieving their goals, Malcolm X and King have also talked about solutions for the racial problem. “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” (Zoe Trodd, American Protest Literature 346-353) what could put an end to racial prejudices in America?  For King, part of the answer to this question would include the elimination of "unjust" laws.  These are laws which the white man expects the black man to follow, without following the laws himself “Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation.”  (Why we can’t wait, 77-100) everyone should be required to follow the same set of rules.  These rules should also be consistent with the "moral" law.  Laws should not be intended to hurt someone or degrade them (Why we can’t wait, 77-100). King does not incite his followers to riot and hate, but encourages his followers to remember that all people are God’s children and that hopefully one day all American can join together to dream a future of  one nation under God.

            If there was “The ballot or the bullet” there has to be “The letter from

Birmingham Jail.”, it is obvious that Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were fighting for the

Same cause, racism. Although both men ultimately became towering icons of contemporary

African-American culture and had a great influence on black Americans. However, King has

More positive attitude than Malcolm X, believing that through peaceful demonstrations and

Arguments, blacks will be able to someday achieve full equality with whites. Malcolm X had a

Much more extremist approach, you can see that this approach came from his neglectful childhood and early adulthood. King had a much more calm approach their views on white Americans, Which affected their methods of approach, were originally different; both activists came to realize that not all whites want to see the black in American in the life style that is show and live by. However they both see and use eager whites to create more of an impact within the white communities. Even though they were different in addressing their messages about black respect and pride, they both had the same goal in mind. That goal was to achieve equality between all races. This is important because it shows that it is possible for whites and blacks to work together for a single cause.  It leaves hope that maybe one day; all traces of racism can disappear and leave behind a united society in which everyone can work together for the good of the country.

listeners to hatred of white America. “Any time you and I sit around and read where they bomb a church and murder in cold blood, not some grownups, but four little girls while they were praying to the same god the white man taught them to pray to, and you and I see the government go down and can't find who did it.” (Malcolm X Speaks, 23-44) He used direct and to the point language which could be understood by all levels of society. “The only thing that I've ever said is that in areas where the government has proven itself either unwilling or unable to defend the lives and the property of Negroes, it's time for Negroes to defend themselves.” (The Ballot or the Bullet. The Borzoi College Reader, 2nd Edition.) Malcolm X’s despair about life was reflected in his angry, pessimistic belief that equality is impossible because whites have no moral conscience. “This is pitiful. But it's not pitiful for us any longer; it's actually pitiful for the white man, because soon now, as the negro awakens a little more and sees the vise that he's in, sees the bag that he's in, sees the real game that he's in, then the Negro's going to develop a new tactic.” (The Ballot or the Bullet.  The Borzoi College Reader, 2nd Edition.) He encouraged blacks to hate white America and to revolt against them. “Revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way,” (Malcolm X Speaks, 23-44) later in his speech he came to realized by saying “We will work with anybody, anywhere, at any time, who is genuinely interested in tackling the problem head-on, nonviolently as long as the enemy is nonviolent, but violent when the enemy gets violent.”  (Malcolm X Speaks 23-44).

             In contrast, Martin Luther King, jr sees the whites more as victims of violence than creators of violence. He blames the violence, itself, on evil forces, King basically adopted on an internationalist philosophy, whereby he felt that blacks and whites should be united and live together in peace. Therefore, one can see why King rejects the idea of using violence to achieve his goals.  Only love can defeat evil. “We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community (Zoe Trodd, American Protest Literature 346-353). Aside from their basic methods of achieving their goals, Malcolm X and King have also talked about solutions for the racial problem. “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” (Zoe Trodd, American Protest Literature 346-353) what could put an end to racial prejudices in America?  For King, part of the answer to this question would include the elimination of "unjust" laws.  These are laws which the white man expects the black man to follow, without following the laws himself “Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation.”  (Why we can’t wait, 77-100) everyone should be required to follow the same set of rules.  These rules should also be consistent with the "moral" law.  Laws should not be intended to hurt someone or degrade them (Why we can’t wait, 77-100). King does not incite his followers to riot and hate, but encourages his followers to remember that all people are God’s children and that hopefully one day all American can join together to dream a future of  one nation under God.

            If there was “The ballot or the bullet” there has to be “The letter from

Birmingham Jail.”, it is obvious that Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were fighting for the

Same cause, racism. Although both men ultimately became towering icons of contemporary

African-American culture and had a great influence on black Americans. However, King has

More positive attitude than Malcolm X, believing that through peaceful demonstrations and

Arguments, blacks will be able to someday achieve full equality with whites. Malcolm X had a

Much more extremist approach, you can see that this approach came from his neglectful childhood and early adulthood. King had a much more calm approach their views on white Americans, Which affected their methods of approach, were originally different; both activists came to realize that not all whites want to see the black in American in the life style that is show and live by. However they both see and use eager whites to create more of an impact within the white communities. Even though they were different in addressing their messages about black respect and pride, they both had the same goal in mind. That goal was to achieve equality between all races. This is important because it shows that it is possible for whites and blacks to work together for a single cause.  It leaves hope that maybe one day; all traces of racism can disappear and leave behind a united society in which everyone can work together for the good of the country.