Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X grew up in different environments. King was raised in a comfortable middle-class family where education was very important. On the other hand, Malcolm X was raised in the ghettos of Detroit, Boston, and New York, with much of his life without a father. He received little schooling and rose to greatness on his own intelligence and determination.
Malcolm X was born and was raised in a completely different atmosphere than King, an atmosphere of fear, anger, and violence which lead him to spread his message in different ways then King. The opposite ways these two men grew up is why some believe they had such a different approach. King used non-violence to break the walls of oppression, and Malcolm X, with a violent childhood, wanted to gain freedom any way. King had a more positive attitude than Malcolm X. He believed that through peaceful demonstrations and arguments, blacks will be able to some day achieve full equality with whites.
There are many differences between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Malcolm X believed that only through force could blacks attain their rightful place in society. He blamed many of the conditions that blacks in the United States lived in on the whites. Martin Luther King appeared calm and idealistic.
He also preached about getting this equality through a non-violent way. King urged blacks to win their rightful place in society by gaining self-respect, high moral standards, hard work, and leadership. He also urged blacks to do this in a non-violent manner. He urged African-American people to never forget their dreams.
The Term Paper on Martin Luther King Malcolm Black Blacks
... generated. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X childhood's were a study in polarity. (pg. 254, Reflecting Black) Whereas, Malcolm X was raised in nightmarish conditions, Kings home ... a non-violent manner. (pg. 255, Reflecting Black) The difference between the Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. backgrounds had a direct influence on ...
King preached that in the eyes of God, the African-Americans are as good as any other race and should be treated as equals. With many different views it is difficult to remember Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were both fighting the same war for the same people. King and Malcolm X fought the same battle using different methods. Both wanted to end racism and discrimination. King agreed with Malcolm X that Blacks had to love themselves. Both were instilled with a hope for a better day, society and world.
King dreamed of a society of peace, freedom, justice, and equality. They became role models for African-American youth and achieved much with their efforts. They introduced self-pride to their people. Both methods were effective. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were great men who died trying to make their home and country better.
Although, they grew up in different atmospheres both had fathers as preachers who influenced them greatly. In the end both men’s fate was of assassinations.
