Martin Luther King's and Malcolm X's Different Approaches to Civil Disobedience

How do the ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X illustrate the similarities and differences in their perspective on social civil rights? Dr. King and Malcolm X were both civil rights leaders and they both wanted freedom for all people, but just in a different way. In “Stride Toward Freedom” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he believed that violence was not a way of achieving racial justice and that it was both impractical and immoral. On the other hand, in Malcolm X’s interview with Crane, he stated that he believed African Americans accomplished more obstacles and got their freedom by letting the violence happens, and also joining the violence, so that the government is willing to deal with the problems happening in society.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. felt as though non-violence represented the love for each other instead of hatred towards each other. King wrote, “Nonviolence is imperative in order to bring about ultimate community” (King, 11, 4). King believed that violence is unpleasant and evil. Dr. King felt like God created this Earth so that people and can experience life by connecting with others and showing love towards each other. King led non-violent protests to fight for the rights of all people including African Americans. He hopes that America would come together as a society to look past race so it wouldn’t impact people civil rights.

On the other hand, in contrast to King belief, Malcolm X wanted violence to happen. Malcolm X felt as though the government wasn’t willing to protect the lives of the people and that Americans should do whatever it takes to protect themselves against humanity. As Malcolm X says in his interview with Crane, “It’s only fair to expect us to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves” (X, 4, 2). Malcolm X believed that Americans wouldn’t get your freedom nor self-respect if they let a different person treat them like they are nothing to them. Malcolm X believed that African Americans and White Americans felt as though you should fight for freedom and violence the key to getting towards that goal you are trying to accomplish.

Both men fought to stop segregation and both of them worked hard to get equal rights. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were both leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Even though both men didn’t see eye to eye on methods to solve racial problems, they felt like they both had great abilities to achieve their goal of getting freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King felt he should have non-violent protests to get Americans their freedom or rights and Malcolm X felt like violence was the key to getting what they deserve and that was freedom.

Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X messages on social civil rights in many different ways. Dr. King wanted peaceful protests, while Malcolm X was willing to do whatever it takes to get equality. All though both men wanted to achieve the same goal, they had different ideas and ways of getting what they needed. They had their differences, but at the end of the struggle, they both had a dream and that was to make life better.