Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vs. Malcom X
...h words and (nonviolent) actions. His speeches contained detailed insight on what he observed and how he wanted to change the wrongdoings. He also used very powerful writing and speaking techniques to convey his ideas. He put the people “into” his words. The words hit a little closer to home that way. As and example, Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. The letter spoke of the injustices in Birmingham which were holding the city back from accepting the blacks. He spoke of his five-year old son asking, “Daddy, why white people treat colored people so bad?” and of the segregation prevalent all over town. There were signs in every store window that proclaimed who their customers would be by posting a “Whites Only,” or “Colored Only,” banner in the front of the store. Dr. King could not stand this treatment and segregation so he protested by means of a “Sit-in,” to make his point clear to all but ended up getting arrested for this peaceable means of standing up for what he believes in. King’s letter began with hi clarifications for the civil rights. His peaceful persuasion and his imaginative solutions and his power of hope, optimism, and nonviolent strategies in changing times are what made him such an invaluable asset to the 1960s. Maclom X, on the other hand, was far more intense than Dr. King. He spoke of a violent revolution which would bring about radical change. “Anything you can think of that you want to change right now, the only way you can do it is with a ballot or a bullet. And if you’re not ready to get involved with either of these, than you are satisfied with the status quo. This means that we will have to change you.” Malcom had a way of speaking to his audience as if he were speaking directly to a friend. This quality made him very attractive to the black communities. His speeches were v...