Their distinct backgrounds has definitely impacted and affected their views on racism and how they approach the issue. As for Martin Luther King, he took on his role as a public speaker and one of the most prominent leaders that led the black community to approach the racial segregation in a non-agression way. This is because when he was studying, he studied about Gandhi and his non-violent approach and so he adopted that approach. Whereas Malcolm X was brought up in a tormented childhood and this is definitely responsible for all his actions, beliefs, and speeches because since he has experienced and suffered so much pain, his anger has adopted into his racial views. When Malcolm broke away from the Black Muslim, after he realized that he has been used and fooled with the belief of separatism of blacks and whites that was thought to have included in the religion. In later years, Malcolm X's beliefs started to congregate with King's beliefs. I believe that because King was raised in a sustainable and loving family, he then adopted the calm and pacifism approach to his leadership skills while Malcolm, who has experience the worse anyone could ever experienced, he had learnt from that and would rather be left alone than to compromise if it’s not going to work. He's prepared for neglects, and pain, because of the violence in his family that's why he adopted the violent approach to his leadership.
Martin Luther king Jr.'s and Malcolm X's ideas and theories are very distinct. King's idea was to approach the situation in a non-violent protest. For example, when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 which was a campaign to go against the racial segregation with transportations and public transit systems, non-violently. He was also a preacher, he would preach about Gandhi's theory, about integration and equalities of blacks and whites. His theory was to win the whites with respect. He wanted to show the whites that blacks are just like the whites, with their integrity, determination, leadership skills, and with high moral standards. The differences between Malcolm X's and Martin Luther King's ideas are that Martin wants peace from integration while Martin wants peace by separation. Malcolm X tends to go forward with his violent and direct approach more. When he was an Islamic minister, he would preach about the segregation of blacks and whites. He didn't like the idea of the Civil Rights Movement and the non-violent approach. He did not like how blacks would want to integrate with the whites when they don't even like the blacks anyways. (5) He blamed the social racism to the blacks who wanted to be with the whites. Indicating that earlier in his life, when he faced with many tormented situations, it had prepared him for rejection and especially to violence. He strongly believed in his theory that violence is the only way out to solve this problem since whites have no moral conduct and no conscience. Malcolm wanted and encourages people to give up their Christianity and blamed everything in relation to the whites for example he blamed the increase in crime rates in the black communities to the blacks that is following the white society.
Their leadership skills are the dominant key to their success as leaders. Martin Luther King takes it calmly, mildly, and non-violently and uses the 'kill them with kindness’ approach. While Malcolm X is all for violence. Both these men demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills. One of the most prominent skills used in their leadership is the use of their speeches. King's speaking style is that he enunciates every single word clearly for everyone to understand. In the 'I Had a Dream' speech, it was one of the most influential speeches in history. King would emphasize his tone to keywords of the speech. Most of the time he would mix in obscured words with basic words for everyone in every standard to understand. He uses difficult words to show the whites that blacks do have an education and to show the whites not to underestimate them just because of their color. When Martin Luther King Jr. took the stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial, on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, he affected audiences by storm. With his speaking style and content, he had helped inspire other blacks and whites; he informs humanity about the segregation and the issue. His speaking style consists of applying and relating his content to the Bible, the law, to the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the United States Constitution. His use of repetition of 'I have a dream' is phenomenal. It’s effective and because he says it in his own terms, everyone can relate to it and to emphasize the point even more. Malcolm X also made a speech where he was preaching at a Church in Cleveland, Ohio called 'The Ballot or the Bullet'. His speaking style is more improvised and relaxed compared to Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasizes every point. Although his content and use of language is extremely compelling. In addition, similar to King, he used various rhetorical devices to make the audience interested make it more relatable and effective. He used many repetitions of words, like King to convey his message to people in a forceful and penetrating means. The speeches Malcolm makes provokes a deep emotion that runs through you, it opens up a whole new perspective to the audience. He says it in his perspective which enables us to explore a different side of the story. The audiences Malcolm X would be projected on blacks because his speeches would be for a black's perspective. Whereas, Martin Luther King Jr. would target the whites and blacks everywhere because he wanted to compromise the situation through his speech.
Although they have their different philosophies and ways of approaching to racism, but there is one thing they share, they share the same dream. A dream to bring freedom to the citizens of African Americans. A dream to end all the prejudice and racism. A dream they never got to see. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 and Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965. They both know and deem that the blacks have suffered enough and it’s time for justice. They acknowledge the existent of racism and want to put a stop to it no matter how hard it is or the risks they need to take. I honor both these two men with high appreciation, because not only did they impact the citizens of America, but they also changed the perspective of the whole world and gave us a different view to the story. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were leaders who fought for their rights, their justice, and their hope for peace.
