Is a more fair and just future within the grasp of the United States?

Background: Starting in the 1950’s and 60’s, the United States became more tense and more uncertain

about its future unity and survival. This was the time that the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum: black Americans demanded equality, both in the eyes of the government and legal systems as well as the eyes of society. This movement took its cue from the grassroots members, average people who started to speak out. At the center of the movement were many bright, charismatic leaders who called for the radical changes within American society that the people demanded. Perhaps the best known of these men were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. They both worked tirelessly in the fight against injustice and inequality, and ultimately paid for their dedication with their very lives.

Despite their common goals, King and Malcolm were two very different men, and their philosophies for achieving equality diverged greatly. King was strong supporter of non-violent protest and civil disobedience as means of social change, while Malcolm believed that the fight should be waged by any methods necessary, including violence or other aggressive actions.. Martin Luther King Jr. promoted integration between whites and blacks and worked for equality and equal access for all of American’s citizens, black and white. On the other hand, Malcolm X did not view blacks as citizens in America and he advocated that blacks separate from whites in America to create a separate nation

So while both men wished to see changes enacted that would recognize black Americans as human beings with the same basic rights as whites, King and Malcolm disagreed over the means by which to achieve that goal. In fact, both men had different experiences that lead them to question when (or even if) equality would ever be achieved.

Task: We will be examining the ideas of two major Civil Rights figures-Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X-as well as critiquing the ways issues of race and racism have been addressed in the United States. With your student teams:

Examine the each of the excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Answer the following questions:o What do each speak believe about the ability of African-Americans to

achieve equality in the U.S.? o What language (words and phrases) does the author use to inform you

about his belief on freedom, equality, and/or citizenship?o Which speaker do you agree with more: Martin or Malcolm? Why?

Explain your answer._____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 3-Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X discuss the possibility of equality for African Americans in the United States

A) Martin Luther King Jr. on the possibility of equality.

B) Malcolm X on the possibility of equality.

Source: Excerpt of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech, 8/28/63

Source: Excerpt of Malcolm X’s “God’s Judgment” Speech, 12/4/63

“One hundred years ago, a great American, in whose shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation…. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free…When the framers of our country wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a … promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise upand live out the true meaning of its belief: "We hold thesetruths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” And when this happens, when we allow freedom toring from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

“How can America make up for her crimes? A desegregated theater or lunch counter won't solve our problems. Better jobs won't even solve our problems. An integrated cup of coffee isn't sufficient pay for four hundred years of slave labor, and a better job in the white man's factory or position in his business is, at best, only a temporary solution. The only lasting or permanent solution is complete separation on some land that we can call our own.

We will take our share and depart, then this white country can have peace. Give us our share in gold and silver and let us depart and go back to our homeland in peace. We want no integration with this wicked race that enslaved us. We want complete separation from this race of devils. But we should not be expected to leave America and go back to our homeland empty-handed. After four hundred years of slave labor, we have some back pay coming, a bill owed to us that must be collected.”

Guiding Questions:

Document 3A

1. Martin Luther King Jr. starts off by referring to the Emancipation Proclamation, which is an Executive Order from Abraham Lincoln freeing the slaves in 1863. What has happened since this time?

2. In your own words, what does King’s “dream” mean?3. What does King think about the possibility of blacks and whites achieving peace and equality?

How do you know?

Document 3B

1. Malcolm X starts off by referring to the “crimes” of slavery and even mentions some accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement. Does he think this is enough to ensure peace and equality?

2. What “solution” does Malcolm X offer to improve conditions and ensure peace between blacks and whites?

3. What does Malcolm X think about the possibility of blacks and whites achieving peace and equality IN the United States? How do you know?

Topic Martin Luther King Jr. on the possibility of equality.

Malcolm X on the possibility of equality.

Document Number and Letter

Source of Document

What is the author’s opinion on blacks and whites achieving peace and equality?

What is your reaction to the author’s opinion? What do you agree with? Disagree with?