Courage

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, were both united in ideology, but differed in methodology.  As ascertained from the quotes, from class discussion and further research, it appears that the methods of MLK appealed more to the oppressed black communities by promoting Christian teachings and non-violent actions.  Malcolm X relied heavily on the theology of the Nation of Islam, which encompassed a much smaller population of black people and they tended to express themselves in a controversial, confrontational manner.
            Each of their ideologies complimented the other persons.  Both were passionate about the advancement of the black population in acquiring their civil rights and freedoms in the United States of America.  In most of their famous quotes, slight differences do emerge.  MLK focused mainly on oppressed blacks and inspiring them to find the courage to seize their rights as citizens.  Malcolm X, on the other hand, centered his ideology on all races, encouraging them to fight for their rights as human beings.
            MLK won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, a clear indication of his commitment to non-violent protest.  He tirelessly traveled the country giving speeches on freedom, igniting courage to change the status quo, and steadfastly following a path of peaceful protest to reach the goals of equality.  He led multitudes of marches and protests, most notably the bus boycott of 1955 which led the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the constitutionality of segregation on buses in 1965.  MLK focused his work in the United States, but realized it had the potential to change the world.
            Martin Luther King’s childhood was dramatically different than Malcolm Xs.  He grew up supported by a close church community, flourished in his educational aspirations, and eventually became a pastor.  He was an exceptional motivational speaker and his Christian roots held him firmly to his goals of accomplishment without violence.  Ironically, it was violence in the form of a bullet, the killed the passionately peaceful person.
            Malcolm X began his life as Malcolm Little in Nebraska.  His father was a Baptist minister who was avidly involved with civil rights activism and Malcolm was exposed to bigotry at a very early age.  He was a brilliant student, but received a clear message that as a Negro, he would not accomplish his educational dreams.  Malcolm wandered and ended up in jail for various crimes.  In jail he took the time to further is education and where he was also exposed to the theology of the Nation of Islam The NOI believed that blacks were actively oppressed by whites and deserved a state of there own, without white interference.  After his release he became a Minister of the Nation of Islam and their leader.  He used the media, to a much greater extent then MLK, to communicate his messages and ideas.  Malcolm X’s comments were often shocking and this quote basically describes his philosophy: “Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression, because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.”
            With an undertow of violence in his speeches, Malcolm X was followed closely by the F.B.I.  His relationship with the NOI deteriorated after various transgressions by its former leader.  He started his own organization called the Muslim Mosque, Inc. to spread the word of freedom to all races.  It was this split with the NOI that created his worst enemies.  Members of the Nation of Islam succeeded in killing him in 1965.
            Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. were courageous individuals.  Their speeches and actions inspired the civil rights movement, and helped a country begin to recognize the bias that was evident in many forms during that time period.  Martin Luther King used popular and well recognized Christian values to promote change that was understood by millions of people.  His methodology allowed everyone to join the revolution.  Malcolm X had the same goal, but his methodology was not as well understood by the general population, and it was also attached to a climate of violence that alienated many people.  His message of human rights for all races was correct, but his methodology was more exclusive and less effective.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.htmlhttp://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html