Two American Heroes (Martin Luther King And Malcolm X)

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Two American Heroes
Whether black or white, when asked about the civil rights movement, two names immediately come into one’s mind; Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. These two men were icons for the movement and are still remembered today for their powerful speeches and unwavering belief. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were two men with very different ideals, who tried to accomplish the same goal, to help their people achieve the dream of equality in a country torn by race.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a middle-class home in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. He came from a respectable family; his father was a pastor and his mother a former school teacher. Martin was one of three children. King received his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta. And later, after finishing his coursework at Boston University and studying at Harvard, he attained his doctorate (“Biography” 1-3). His excellent education was very evident in both his manner and his speeches.
King demanded the same equal rights as all African-American activists, however whereas some, such as Malcolm X, used harsh words and threats to make a difference, Martin Luther King Jr. used inspiration and suggested solutions. He encouraged peaceful non-violent demonstrations. “In the process gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds,” he cautioned. “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” (349). King also urged his race not to hate the white people, for there were many who fought the cause with them. “And the marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people,” he says, “for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny, and have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably ...