martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and the Black Panthers

Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King Jr was a prominant figure in the civil rights movement and he was made famous by his 'I have a dream' speech he delivered in 1963 in Washington D.C. He was the unofficial leader of the black protest movement. He became prominant after he organised a boycott of the transit system over the jailing of Rosa Parks. He led many other peaceful demonstrations for example the March on Washington and organised drives for the registration for negros to vote. he believed in peaceful protests rather than fighting back physically with many of his tecniques similar to that of Ghandi.

Malcolm X and the Black Panthers

Malcolm X was another human rights activist in the civil rights movement. He was an African American Muslim. He didn't believe in Martin Luther Kings pacifist methods, he believed that for there to be change they had to protest with force. The Black Panthers were a militant group which had the same beliefs as Malcolm X and openly called for the use of violence. The group was founded bby a man named Stokely Carmichael.

Summary

Martin Luther King Jr made a huge difference for the African American people contrary to the beliefs of Malcolm X and the Black panthers, among others, his ways of pacifism and peaceful demonstrations definately helped the struggle for freedom for the African Americans. King was arrested many times throughout this struggle but that had no effect he always carried on. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 and with the money he won gave it all to the civil rights movement. Sadly in 1968 he was assasinated just outside of his hotel room im Memphis, Tennesse. Malcolm X became the leader of the Black Muslims in the USA. He has been called one of the most influencial African Americans in history. He was also assasinated in 1965, possibly because of his disputes with the Black muslim movement. The black Panthers group fizzeled out in the 1970's as more equality and legislation was brought in.