African American’s Struggle for Justice
In United States history, Blacks have been in the receiving end of many injustices against them based on their skin color. The civil war in America successfully ended slavery. However, it didn’t stop the segregation against the blacks. Blacks continued to feel the demoralizing effects of racial discrimination. The blacks were fed up with the discrimination against them and as a result, they began movements to fight for justice and equality. In the mid-1960s, the fight for equality and justice for African Americans was at its climax, and this time was marked by the actions of some black persons who stood up for the rights of the people. Among these were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The two were active in the fight for justice for the black Americans since they have experienced the effects of racial discrimination on the African American people.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X have shown heroic acts in their fights for the rights of African Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter, “Letter from Birmingham,” while he was in jail at Birmingham. His message was addressing the criticism he was receiving from some white clergymen on his non-violent approach to seeking justice for the black Americans. Martin’s letter revealed the injustices the blacks are facing all over the United States and the severity of the brutality African Americans are facing in Birmingham.
In the document, Martin Luther King Jr. exposed how African Americans are being segregated and discriminated against in every aspect of their social, economic, political, and educational lives. In his letter, Martin clearly distinguishes between just and unjust laws and insists on why segregation is unfair. Martin urges black Americans to act fast to get independence from their oppressors, just like the other nations like Africa have fought for their freedom. The letter also shows Martin Luther King Jr.’s disapproval of the Black Nationalism program due to the violence the movement promotes.
Malcolm X, on the other hand, wrote a speech, “Bullet or Ballot.” In his document, Malcolm addresses the black Americans, and he reveals the political, social, and economic oppression the African Americans are facing. In his speech, Malcolm recognizes the efforts of brave black men who were in the frontline to fight for the rights of African Americans. Malcolm encourages African Americans to embrace all the philosophies of Black Nationalism. Malcolm X was a Muslim. He urges black Americans to detach themselves from religious differences since it will drive them away from focusing on the fight against their common enemy. His argument in the speech is fighting for their rights through voting. Malcolm’s speech encourages African Americans to strengthen and control their economy to avoid depending on the Whites, who are the perpetrators of segregation and discrimination against them. Malcolm X also urges African Americans to act fast in their fight for justice, and they should act rather than talking.
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. differed in their perspective on how African Americans should fight for their rights. Martin encouraged the use of non-violent demonstrations and other peaceful means to seek justice for the blacks. In contrast, Malcolm X encouraged the use of violence and bloody means to fight for the rights of black Americans. Malcolm promoted Black Nationalism, which encourages violence, and Martin was against it. Martin Luther King Jr. being a Christian valued peaceful and non-violent means to seek justice.
In conclusion, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were celebrated for their efforts to fight for black Americans’ rights and freedoms. Their efforts have been recognized throughout history, and the documents “Letter from Birmingham” and “Bullet or Ballot” provide concrete evidence of their heroic acts. I agree with Malcolm’s perspective since it is only through violence that the whites will know the bitterness of the blacks and their intent. When blacks make their intentions clear through the acts, Malcolm’s encourages the whites will have no obligation but to grant them their rights.
Work cited
King, Martin Luther, “Letter from Birmingham jail.’ Letter from Birmingham Jail” (April 16, 1963)