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Ms. Burke
Honors English 11
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Junior both eloquently spoke about how to handle
discrimination and injustice towards blacks. Both men accepted the idea of non-violence as their
primary option to achieve civil rights, however their secondary course of action differed.
Although both had persuasive ideas I believe Malcolm X presented a more logical approach. I
support the claims of Malcolm X because his first approach was peaceful protest but he was
willing to do anything in order to achieve his goal and he would not shy away from fighting
back. Both of these men, however, greatly contributed to the gain of civil rights an equality.
Malcolm X is known for his violent actions to gain civil rights. Violence was not how he
originally intended to solve the issue, but he knew that violence can only be countered by
violence itself. Martin Luther King Junior stated, “I am convinced that for practical as well as
moral reasons, nonviolence offers the only road to freedom for my people.” He believes that
violence will never be the answer no matter how harsh and cruelly the blacks were being treated.
Morally Martin Luther King was right, however you can not fight a gun with kindness. Malcom
uses the phrase either “the ballot or the bullet,” meaning that his preferred type of protest will be
amicable, however would not shy away from using a gun. Malcolm is determined to create the
change he wants to see no matter how he achieves it. His mind is fixed on gaining the same
rights as white men, and being considered a citizen if the United States.
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Martin Luther King claims that self defense can be acceptable, “But the mere protection
of one’s home and person against assault by lawless night riders does not provide any positive
approach to the fears and conditions which produce violence.” He contradicts this statement
however by saying, “I must continue my faith that is too great a burden to bear and that violence,
even in self-defense, creates more problems than it solves.” I agree with Malcom X who strongly
believes in self-defense no matter what the circumstance. Even though self-defense can cause
more issues it would be senseless to allow them to beat an innocent bystander and show the
power they hold over the blacks. Malcom X did not want to give the whites that satisfaction, so
In conclusion, Malcom X’s ideas and actions towards civil rights was a more suitable
option than Martin Luther King’s. Although Martin Luther King was recognized for his great
attempts at peaceful protest, he lacked the fight that Malcom X possessed. What made Malcom
X more persuasive is because his first approach was peaceful protest but he was willing to do
anything in order to achieve his goal and he would not shy away from fighting back. His head-
strong and determined character allowed him to fight harder and further gauge a hand on civil
rights. Thanks to the brilliance of both of these men, along with others, America is a more