What's the difference between Malcom X and MLK?

Question

Whenever I watch something about the 60s and the 70s and I encounter these two historical figures it sounds like they are different in terms of schools of thought. I always thought they were two sides of the same coin or at least fighting for the same thing: rights for black peoples. When I think about it, however, I've come to the realization that I know almost nothing about these two figures so I was wondering if some could tell explain to some of the differences and similarities of these two men.

This may be obvious but if it's not by MLK I mean Martin Luther King Jr.

Answer 1

Malcom X believed that in order to get rights for Blacks alikes, they had to take it even if it meant by force while MLK believe in resistance to violence. A machiavellian outlook as oppose to a ghandi outlook is ther difference.

Answer 2

They have the common goal of trying to make things better for the
African Americans/coloreds/blacks in the United States in terms of equality. The differences are striking though. Malcolm X was a black radical Muslim activist, who advocated black separation from white society and violence to achieve his goals. Martin Luther King Jr. was his polar opposite. He came from a Christian background and was an ordained minister, and wanted integration and non-violence to achieve the same goals. King, unlike Malcolm X, originally focused on Southern states to begin with. Sadly, both men were assassinated, so they didn't get to see the fruits of their labors. If you want a better more indepth explanation, I suggest you go to the links I cites as sources. Both
men were important historical figures in US history, albeit they
were different personalities.

Answer 3

Malcolm X was from the Fanon school of thought. He wanted to fight for the dignity of black people, and he though that through violence they could unite and prove to themselves and to their oppressors that they had power and a voice. He thought that violence was the only answer to restore the dignity of the black people and to gain their freedom. According to him and Fanon, those in power will not give up power easily and it must be taken by those who want it. If you want to really understand Malcolm X better you should read Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth.

MLK was from a more religious school of thought. he advocated peaceful resistance and thought that violence would not help, and might even hurt the fight for freedom. He wanted to slowly show respectful disagreement with the system and convince the moderate bystanders to help them change the system. The main difference here is the desire to change they system to favor equality rather than uproot an oppressive system entirely.

Answer 4

MLK wanted a peaceful approach to civil rights and wanted everybody to be equals. Malcom X wanted whatever means it took to get civil rights. He thought the white man was the devil.

Answer 5

Malcolm X was all set to fight for civil rights with weapons. He even advocated a black American state in Africa at one point, but he dropped that after he went to Africa and saw conditions there. When he started to modulate his own message more toward peaceful resistance, one of his supporters shot him.

Answer 6

malcom wanted an aggressive movement, was also a muslim, believed in violence, and taht's all i got

Answer 7

malcom X fought against discrimination with violence and MLK was a pacifist meaning no violence aloud in his protests...

Answer 8

thier methods were different and and i may have heard that malcolm x wanted to 'win' and reverse the roles with blacks on top.