Martin vs. Malcolm
UNIT 5
LESSON 2
Objectives
 To explore the ideological and political development
of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X through
primary source documents .
 To identify the various personal, social, and political
factors that influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Malcolm X’s leadership .
 To understand the opposing philosophies and tactics
of King and X, as well as areas in which their ideas
converged .
Warm Up
 Which groups were at the
forefront of the early civil
rights movement?
 NAACP
 CORE
 SCLC
 SNCC
Brainstorm – What words/ideas come to mind?
MartinLutherKing, Jr.
Malcolm X
Who Said It?
“I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to
the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.”
“I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of
values.”
"There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous
development.
“The Negro of America is saying he's determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.”
“[D]on't let anybody frighten you. We are not afraid of what we are doing... We, the disinherited of this land, we who have been
oppressed so long, are tired of going through the long night of captivity.”
“Black men have slammed the door shut on a past of deadening passivity.”
“You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”
“We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens until we are
first recognized as humans.”
“I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”
“It is a disgrace for Negro leaders not to be able to submerge our “minor” differences in order to seek a common solution to a common
problem posed by a common enemy.”
“I have been convinced that some American whites do want to help cure the rampant racism which is on the path to destroying this
country.”
Who Said It?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes
“I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly
to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.” 1967
“I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of
values.” 1967
"There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous
development. The Negro of America is saying he's determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.“ 1963
”[D]on't let anybody frighten you. We are not afraid of what we are doing... We, the disinherited of this land, we who have been
oppressed so long, are tired of going through the long night of captivity.” 1955
“Black men have slammed the door shut on a past of deadening passivity.” 1968
Malcolm X quotes
“You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” 1965
“We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens until we are
first recognized as humans.”
1964
“I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.” 1965
“It is a disgrace for Negro leaders not to be able to submerge our “minor” differences in order to seek a common solution to a common
problem posed by a common enemy.” 1963
“I have been convinced that some American whites do want to help cure the rampant racism which is on the path to destroying this
country.” 1964
Background
 Malcolm Little

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1925 – Omaha, NE
Son of Baptist Preacher who
worked with UNIA
Suffered thru Depression
Father killed white group
 Charity & welfare
 Mom committed
 White reform schools &
foster homes in Michigan
 “Trying so hard to be white”
 Jail for burglary
 Nation of Islam = Malcolm
X

 MLK, Jr



1929 – Atlanta
Son of Baptist Preacher who
worked with NAACP
Survived Depression
Mom & dad loving
 Black grade schools
 Morehouse College
 Baptist preacher
 Married, family

Late 50s-Early 60s: Contradiction
 MLK, Jr



SCLC
Non-violent civil
disobedience
Racial equality
 “Letters from a
Birmingham Jail”
Activity
 Malcolm X



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Nation of Islam
Non-engagement
Racial separatism
“Autobiography of
Malcolm X” Activity
1963: Turning Point
 Malcolm invites King to
speak at Harlem rally


“Common solution to
common problem”
Vocal critic when MLK
doesn’t respond
 March on Washington


“I Have a Dream”
MLK leading voice of
mvmt
1964-65: Convergence
 Pilgrimmage to Mecca
 Changed man
 Founded OAU, aligned
with SNCC
 Fear of one to promote
the other
 Malcolm X assassinated
1965

King sends condolences to
widow
Think-Pair-Share
 In what areas did Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Malcolm X’s ideas converge?
 Shared dedication to struggle
 Strong black-run institutions in communities could
help achieve equal rights in political system.
 X realized role of non-violent tactics in struggle
 King realized militancy driven by positive racial
consciousness necessary for advancement.
1965-68: A New Direction
 Stokely Carmichael &
Black Power

“What We Want” Activity
 King assassinated
1968…movement splits,
no leadership to guide
through new legal rights.
 Nation becomes caught
up in Vietnam
Activities
 Check for Understanding
 Political Cartoon
Analysis
Closure
 How have your perceptions of Martin Luther King,
Jr. or Malcolm X changed?
Credits
 Stanford University’s King Institute
 Lesson Plan: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X:
A Common Solution?
 Clayborne Carson “The Unfinished Diaglogue”