How did the goals and strategies of Martin Luther King Jr. differ from those of Malcolm X
during the Civil Rights Movement?
History of the Americas HL
January 19, 2016
Word Count: 2,193
Student Declaration: I assert that this historical investigation is solely my authentic work. I
understand that if this work is copied or plagiarized that my historical investigation will not be
submitted to the IBO and I will receive no grade from the IBO.
Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of Sources
1 This investigation will address the question: How did the goals and strategies of Martin
Luther King Jr. differ from those of Malcolm X’s during the Civil Rights Movement? In order to
answer this question, there will be an exploration and analysis of the methods used by each
leader to achieve gain equality for African Americans during that time period. This investigation
will also examine each leader’s beliefs that initiated their goals, significance through their
recognition and support by whites and blacks, and the success of their campaigns and
organizations. The primary sources of this investigation include speeches that were given by
each leader which reveal their intentions and procedures in achieving independence. The
secondary sources of this investigation consist of biographies of each leader and brief outlook on
the Civil Rights Movement.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail," is an open speech written by Martin Luther King Jr., an
African-American activist and humanitarian during the Civil Rights Movement of 1954 to 1968.
The speech was released in April 1963 through King's responses on the margins of the
newspaper. These responses were later found and published in June 1963 by a magazine called
Liberation. This speech defends the strategy of nonviolent methods of protest to racial
discrimination and segregation. The purpose of this speech is to encourage African Americans to
pursue nonviolent protest as a response to the harsh racism that they endure from the whites in
society. This source is valuable because it is a speech written by a man who experienced the
terrible consequences of being African-American in a society that was led by white supremacy;
therefore, he was aware of what methods of protest would thrive in order to achieve equal rights.
However, this source is limited because it is was a letter written to encourage readers to carry out
a movement without King's presence, and thus, provides only evidence that supports their
movement, not evidence that contradicts or disagrees with the movement.
2 "Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution" is a magazine article
written by Robert Kelly and Erin Cook. OAH Magazine of History published this magazine
article in 2005. The purpose of this article is to inform and challenge the readers' preconceived
notions about the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X's in the struggle to
achieve freedom for African Americans. This source is valuable because it has access to primary
accounts and other sources from previous years that will lead to a thorough analysis on the roles
of each leader during the Civil Rights Movement. However, this source is limited because it is a
magazine article, therefore, it is initially designed to sell magazines and this will influence the
language and central focus of the article.
Section 2: Investigation
Historically, blacks have struggled to assimilate into society because of racism and
segregation and often dealt with threats, violence, and hate crimes. Therefore, when the Civil
Rights Movement from 1954 to 1968 occurred, it was a major step for African Americans in
achieving equality in society through the goals and strategies of Martin Luther King Jr. and
Malcolm X.
King's goals as a humanitarian were, to eliminate racial discrimination and to instill hope
in blacks to pursue equality in the future. He believed that one day, blacks and whites would live
together in peace, and blacks would be able to participate freely in American society without
fear. King's strategies consisted of non-violent methods of protests, including sit-ins, bus strikes,
and mass speeches. This method of nonviolence is evident in his speech, "Letter from
Birmingham Jail" where King states, "In any non-violent campaign there are four basic steps,
collection of facts to determine whether injustices are alive, negotiation, self-purification, and
3 direct action."1 By collecting evidence, the victims can support their argument, by negotiating,
there is some form of consult to resolve the issue, self-purification means to make personal
sacrifice for the sake of progress, and the last step is to directly get involved. Additionally, King
became involved with grassroot campaigns that fought for the equality of blacks from lower and
middle classes.
Another method used by King was creating organizations consisting of people with
similar beliefs as his. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was created in 1957, which
was an African-American civil rights organization that heavily impacted the Civil Rights
Movement. King also created the Montgomery Association, which united black ministers, and
community leaders of Montgomery, who planned the famous Montgomery bus boycott which
allowed King to gain national attention.2
Malcolm X's goals as a human rights activist included the achievement of freedom,
justice, and equal opportunities for African Americans. Malcolm X fought for "black
nationalism," which encouraged economic self-sufficiency, pride for African Americans and
black separatism. In his "Black Man's History" speech, he states, "Then it'll be left up to you and
me whether we want to integrate into this wicked race or leave them and separate and go to our
own. And if we integrate we'll be destroyed along with them. If we separate then we have a
chance for salvation."3 Malcolm X encourages blacks to separate themselves from the white race
and strive for their own independence and freedom as blacks. Additionally, Malcolm X also
believed that blacks should reject white names—the X symbolized how he rejected his last name
and reconnected with their slave ancestors. Malcolm X also believed in the use of violence in
1
Martin Luther King Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Speech. Why We Can't Wait. (Apr. 1963).
Stewart, Burns. To The MountainTop: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sacred Mission to Save America 1955-1968. (New
York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2004). 24-25
3
"Malcolm-X -Black Man's History.” Speech. (New York, Jun 1963).
2
4 achieving independence, as stated in a speech, "We want freedom by any means necessary. We
want justice by any means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary."4 This meant
that freedom can be achieved through any methods, including violence.
Malcolm X also used organizations as a method of achieving independence. As a member
of the Nation of Islam which consisted of other black American Muslims that strived to create an
independent, black, Muslim society in America, he promoted the group's values and goals to
separate from white society. However, after his pilgrimage to Mecca and corruption of the NOI,
he created the Muslim Mosque in 1964. Additionally, Malcolm X also created the Organization
of Afro-American Unity in 1964 that strived for restoration, reorientation, education, and
economic security for all blacks. This organization represented the real goals of Malcolm X and
along with other nations fought for these rights of African Americans.
Both Malcolm X and King had different goals and strategies in achieving freedom for
African Americans. One distinctive difference in each leader’s methods in their fight for
independence was the significance of violence. Whereas King promoted nonviolent methods of
protest, Malcolm X encouraged violence as a form of self defense. Non-violence protest had
gained recent attention from Gandhi who was leading the Independence Movement in India and
therefore inspired King. Additionally, violent protest implied the use of more violence in the
future, thus the publicity of this intention could have affected Malcolm X's supporters.
Before each leader created their own organization, both King and Malcolm X participated
in groups to understand the reality of African Americans in different ways. King participated in
grassroot campaigns that increased King’s awareness of African American lives in lower and
middle class. These campaigns improved King's protest because he gained more supporters in his
4
Malcolm X. "Malcolm X's Speech At the Founding Rally for of the Organization of Afro-American Unity." (New
York, 28 June 1964).
5 fight for independence. Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam, and gained new insights of blacks
being the original people of the world, superiority of blacks to whites, and the evilness of the
white race. These ideals lead motivated Malcolm X to become a human rights activist, until he
left the Nation of Islam because of the group's intense beliefs that did not reflect what Malcolm
X wanted to portray in society.5
Both Malcolm X and King created their own organizations that promoted their goals and
strategies to gain equality for African Americans. King created the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference in 1957, along with other civil rights activists to follow moral values and
organize nonviolent protests with black churches.6 Similarly, Malcolm X created the
Organization of Afro-American Unity in 1964. This organization consisted of many Muslim
African countries that fought for human rights of African Americans and gain equality between
African Americans and their descendants. The leaders used similar methods when participating
and creating their own organizations, they participated in an organization that used religion as its
foundation to achieve independence and when creating their own organizations, they combined
minority groups to establish one big group to fight for their cause.
Both activists guided their followers through mass speeches. In his, "I Have a Dream
Speech," King states, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true
meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' "7
In this statement, King reiterates his dream for equality of all races in the near future. In
Malcolm X's "The Black Revolution," speech, he asks, "God wants us to separate ourselves from
this wicked white race here in America because this American House of Bondage is number one
5
Bernard Aquina Doctor. Malcolm X For Beginners. (Connecticut: For Beginners LLC, 1992). 121-122.
Stewart, Burns. To The MountainTop: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sacred Mission to Save America 1955-1968. (New
York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2004). 153
7
Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream." Speech. (Washington D.C. 1963).
6
6 on God's list for divine destruction today."8 It is evident that Malcolm X uses religion to support
his argument of the separation of blacks and whites in this society. Through their motivational
speeches, both leaders clearly guide to their path of freedom.
Initially, the goals of King and Malcolm X were similar, to establish equality for blacks.
Each leader, however, defined equality differently. For King, equality of African Americans
were the natural rights every human of every race was entitled to, whereas for Malcolm X,
equality for African Americans was their individual and divine rights. Additionally, both leaders
had different beliefs that influenced their approach in gaining their form of equality for African
Americans. King focused on the assimilation of blacks in society, whereas, Malcolm X was more
interested in equal rights and the separation of blacks from whites in society. Both leaders
practiced what they preached, King's beliefs of nonviolence mainly guided his form of protest
and for Malcolm X, his beliefs of achieving equality through any means necessary meant using
violence as a form of self-defense. Both leaders participated in and created their own
organizations that raised awareness of the harsh realities for African Americans. Thus, it is
evident that due to their exposure to different religious organizations and participation in varying
groups their perspective on the role and significance of African Americans in society varied.
Both leaders created a powerful impact during the Civil Rights Movement through their
speeches, protest, and involvement in organizations that led to the eventual freedom of African
Americans in this society.
Section 3: Reflection
By completing this investigation, I have gained insight into different methods used by
historians as well as the struggles they must overcome when they are researching and analyzing
history. I have developed a useful skill in analyzing how influential leaders impact significant
8
Malcolm X. "The Black Revolution.” Speech. (New York, Dec 1962).
7 movements despite having similar initiatives. In order to carry out this investigation, I read
biographies and speeches of the two leaders as well as books about the historical movement
which were methods used by historians.
In my investigation, I recognized some challenges that historians must overcome with
their research. Using biographical books proved to be overwhelming, as they did not provide all
of the necessary information about the goals and method of each leader during the movement.
These goals were similar and generalized in biographical books such as Kevin Brown’s Malcolm
X: His Life and Legacy. In order to understand the methods and goals of the leaders, I focused on
the speeches of the leaders, and by analyzing the context and content of their speeches; I was
able to identify the strategies of Malcolm X. When I researched King, I tried to focus more on
the analysis of King’s presence during the movement, thus sources such as Stewart Burns’ To
The MountainTop: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sacred Mission to Save America allowed me to fully
understand King’s impact during the movement.
For this investigation, there were specific aspects of the leaders that I was required to
research. Similarly, for most historians, when researching a specific event, people, or idea there
is a variety of information to research from. However, it is important to obtain and analyze the
information that is solely necessary for their research. Historical events are always biased, thus
the details must be obtained from a few reliable sources and then analyzed thoroughly. Overall,
the research process of this investigation allowed me to gain greater insight on the historical
significance of these leaders.
8 Bibliography
Brown, Kevin. Malcolm X: His Life and Legacy. Minneapolis, MI: Millbrook Press, 1995. Print.
Burns, Stewart. To The MountainTop: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sacred Mission to Save America
1955-1968. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2004.
Carson, Carlborn. 2005. "The Unfinished Dialogue of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X."
OAH Magazine Of History 19, no. 1:22-26. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost
Doctor, Aquina, Bernard, Malcolm X For Beginners. Danbury, CT: For Beginners LLC, 1992.
Print.
Karson, Jill. Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press,
2005. Print.
King, Martin Luther Jr. "I Have A Dream." Speech. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. 28
Aug 1963. American Rhetoric.
King, Martin Luther Jr. "Letter From A Birmingham Jail." Speech. Why We Can't Wait, ed.
Martin Luther King Jr., 77-100 16 Apr. 1963.
Malcolm X. "Black Man's History." Speech. Harlem, New York. Jun 1963. Malcolm-X.
Malcolm X. “Black Revolution.” Speech. Harlem, New York. Dec 1962. Malcolm-X.
Malcolm X. “Malcolm X’s Speech at the Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American
Unity.” Speech. Washington Heights, Manhattan. 28 Jun. 1964. Black Past.
McGrath, Garett. "A Great War Among the Brothers of This Earth." Wilson Quarterly (Spring
2015): 1. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost
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