Dr King vs Malcolm X

Martin Luther King Jr.’s method of combating African American discriminations through non-violence was an effective way on gaining equal rights. Dr King said “The method of nonviolent resistance is effective in that it has a way of disarming the opponent; it exposes his moral defenses it weakens his morale, and at the same time it works on his conscience” (¶ 1 pg 16). This philosophy is effective because in the philosophy blacks are using the conscience of the white people. No human is fundamentally evil and born with hate. When white people realize the teachings of degrading and segregating African Americans is wrong America will see change.

When Dr. King said “When he seeks to initiate violence he provokes questions about the necessity for it, and inevitably blamed for its consequences” (¶ 7 pg 17). This statement shows how initiating violence is self defeating. If blacks initiate violence then whites will say that they are a problem and kill them off. If they use a diplomatic way of solving the problem African Americans can enlighten whites and show them the error of their ways. In fist to fist combat blacks will lose. The military is far more equipped and experienced in fighting and the bloodshed of the masses will be for nothing. One of two things will happen. Conditions for African Americans will get worse or the nation will be divided. This is not the goal of African Americans. They hope to keep a single nation with equal rights for all the citizens. A divided nation doesn’t do that.

“Our powerful weapons are the voice the feet and the bodies of dedicated united people moving without rest toward a just goal”( ¶ 10 pg 17). The use of a voice is far more effective than the eye for an eye method of Malcolm X. There is a saying “An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind”. This method spreads violence instead of seeking equality. The ultimate goal of both these men is the seeking of equality for all races. Fighting is not seeking equality it is seeking war and death. Diplomacy and civil disobedience is the only way to end racial inequality while keeping America as a whole country and preventing a second Civil War.