1. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
Aim: How do the philosophies of the two leaders compare?

2. Writing Warm Up
Create a T- Chart with Martin Luther King Jr. on one side and Malcolm X on the other.
Write down any ideas, images, words, or phrases that come to mind when you think of each leader.

3. History of Differences
MLK and Malcolm X symbolize opposing arguments on Civil Rights
MLK: Nonviolent Resistance
Malcolm X: Any Means Necessary. Self Defense and Black Nationalism

4. Black Nationalism “We are not Americans” – Malcolm X 1964
Advocated racial pride and separation rather than cooperation.
Viewed American society as unjust and unfixable.
Examples of pride in music and fashion.

5. Comparison Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X
Religion = Southern Baptist Minister
Approach to Civil Rights: Non-violent protest
Key Events: Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), March on Washington (1963), Nobel Peace Prize (1964)
Religion = Muslim
Approach to Civil Rights: Self Defense. Was a segregationist until a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Key Events: Voyage to Mecca, “Suspension” from the nation of Islam

6. MLK
Malcolm X
Death: Assassinated April 4, Violent riots in response.
Early Life: Leadership started at the age of 26 during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Death: Assassinated Feb 21, 1965 by members of the Muslim Black Brotherhood.
Early Life: Orphan. Imprisoned for drugs (using and distributing). Converted to Islam.

7. Who said it?
“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 e is militant enough to stand up”

8. Who said it?
“You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”

9. Who said it?
“I believe in human beings, and that all human being should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”
Why do you think we have fixed ideas about Malcolm X and MLK?

10. Documents
Read the documents and write your answers to the following questions on a piece of paper.
What most surprised you about what you read in these documents? Why?
How does this information affect your original perception of both Malcolm X and Dr. King?
List three ways in which the ideas of Dr. King and Malcolm X seem similar.

11. Writing Assignment 3 paragraphs – choose 1 option below.
How did Malcolm X’s ideas change over time?
Compare textbook accounts of Malcolm X to the documents that you read today. How do Malcolm X’s ideas compare?
How did Malcolm X’s and MLK’s ideas compare?
How did each leader contribute to the Civil Rights movement? Which leader was more effective?
Prove your argument with specific examples