by Tom Koecke

Created on: January 26, 2008   Last Updated: April 25, 2011

When we think of the injustices Dr. King suffered for the cause of equality, it does not compare with the injustices Malcolm X endured simply because he was black.

Both Dr. King and Malcolm X spent time in jail. Dr. King was jailed for organizing civil rights protests. He was fairly well known, which lent his face to injustices black people suffered. Malcolm X was just a poor black kid when he was imprisoned. Dr. King studied Ghandi in college. Malcolm X learned on the streets and in prison cells.

Both men are significant in American history, and are comparable as black spiritual leaders who were active in the black civil rights movement during the 1950s and 60s, and who were assassinated for the messages they were spreading.

The debate is which of these two significant figures was a better civil rights leader for black people. My argument that Martin Luther King Jr. is the was a better civil rights leader for blacks will include considering how each relates to "better," "civil rights," and "leadership," and then to determine if that would hold true from the perspective of black people.

BETTER

When I think of "better," I think of that which I would rather see:

* Dr. King grew up in a better environment than did Malcolm X. Dr. King's environment emphasized formal education for prosperity. Malcolm X's environment emphasized street education for survival. I would rather see children grow up in environments with emphasis on formal education for prosperity.

* Dr. King learned lessons by studying Ghandi while experiencing injustice in society. Malcolm X learned by experiencing injustice in society while studying lessons on Islam and black power. Both men spoke their beliefs with sincerity their messages were true and valid, but the messages each spoke was contrary to the message of the other. I would rather see leaders calling upon all people to search their consciences for the cause of equal liberty and justice for all.

* Dr. King called for anyone to be civilly disobedient for the cause of racial equality. Malcolm X called for black people to fight back and attack for the cause of black power. I would rather see people unite peacefully to force social changes through civil disobedience.

Black militancy is not only a logical consequence of black injustice, it was significant in the struggle for black civil rights. The militancy was not only in confrontations if necessary, it was also in economics. The message that black people needed to protect the interests

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