Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

Aim: How do the philosophies of the two leaders compare?

Writing Warm Up

• Create a T- Chart with Martin Luther King Jr. on one side and Malcolm X on the other.

• Write down any ideas, images, words, or phrases that come to mind when you think of each leader.

History of Differences• MLK and Malcolm X symbolize opposing

arguments on Civil Rights– MLK: Nonviolent Resistance– Malcolm X: Any Means Necessary. Self Defense

and Black Nationalism

Black Nationalism

• “We are not Americans” – Malcolm X 1964

• Advocated racial pride and separation rather than cooperation.

• Viewed American society as unjust and unfixable.

• Examples of pride in music and fashion.

ComparisonMartin Luther King Jr.

• Religion = Southern Baptist Minister

• Approach to Civil Rights: Non-violent protest

• Key Events: Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), March on Washington (1963), Nobel Peace Prize (1964)

Malcolm X

• Religion = Muslim• Approach to Civil Rights:

Self Defense. Was a segregationist until a pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Key Events: Voyage to Mecca, “Suspension” from the nation of Islam

MLK• Death: Assassinated April 4,

1968. Violent riots in response.

• Early Life: Leadership started at the age of 26 during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Malcolm X• Death: Assassinated Feb 21,

1965 by members of the Muslim Black Brotherhood.

• Early Life: Orphan. Imprisoned for drugs (using and distributing). Converted to Islam.

Who said it?

“There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous development, The Negro of America is saying he’s determined to be free and e is militant enough to stand up”

Who said it?

• “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”

Who said it?

• “I believe in human beings, and that all human being should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”

Why do you think we have fixed ideas about Malcolm X and MLK?

Documents• Read the documents and write your answers

to the following questions on a piece of paper.1. What most surprised you about what you

read in these documents? Why?2. How does this information affect your

original perception of both Malcolm X and Dr. King?

3. List three ways in which the ideas of Dr. King and Malcolm X seem similar.

Writing Assignment

• 3 paragraphs – choose 1 option below.– How did Malcolm X’s ideas change over time? • Compare textbook accounts of Malcolm X to the

documents that you read today. How do Malcolm X’s ideas compare?

– How did Malcolm X’s and MLK’s ideas compare?– How did each leader contribute to the Civil Rights

movement? Which leader was more effective?• Prove your argument with specific examples