Abstract This paper compares the philosophies of MartinLutherKing, Jr. and Malcolm X as civil rights activists. It looks at the differences in their methods, King's belief in civil disobedience and nonviolence and Malcolm X's belief in the use of aggressive action violence. It also looks at the committment of both to social change and considers the challenges that current civil rights leaders face.
Tags: Malcolm X, MartinLutherKingJr., civil disobedience, Nation of Islam, non-violence, civil rights
Abstract This paper examines how both MartinLutherKingJr. and Malcolm X used their writings and speeches to counteract and negate white racism. The author points out that the main difference between the ideologies of two Civil Rights activist is the polarity of violent and non violent. The paper relates that King did not see violence as a sensible means to change average white Americans to supporting black equality in government and social status.
From the Paper "This race study examines the contrary opinions about fighting racism that existed between Martin Luther King Jr. and another race activist in the Civil Rights era, Malcolm X. The use of violence to win the freedom of black people in America is presented in Malcolm X's speech "Message to the Grass Roots". Contrary to this message of violence toward white authority, Martin Luther King sought non-violent methods of activism to help change white America's negative opinions on the black race. In this manner, both King and Malcolm X offer two polarized opinions about violence and non-violence that existed within the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The message of violent action against white racist society is clearly portended in the speech "Message to the Grassroots". "
Abstract This paper discusses how MartinLutherKingJr. and Malcolm X both fought for the cause of civil rights, defended the same color of people, combated the same problem of racism, and paid for this resistance to black oppression with their lives, and yet held two completely different plans to bring an end to racial discrimination. The paper relates that their conflicting values in this regard are made apparent in MartinLutherKingJr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and Malcolm X's "Message to the Grass Roots" and that these values lead to two completely different ideas about how to end racial discrimination. Through a comparison of the content of these two works, it attempts to show that MartinLutherKingJr. shows more promise as a leader than Malcolm X through his sound reasoning, flexibility, and a classier way of classification.
From the Paper "King, however, acknowledges that society is multi-faceted (which is not surprising for one who graduated with a sociology degree); he mentions five different people groups in his letter: the white supremacists, the white moderates, the complacent Negroes, the black nationalists, and the nonviolent abolitionists. Like Malcolm X, King also brings up upper-middle class blacks in a negative light, but he describes them as "complacent," not controlling or power-hungry. King goes onto mention the other end of the Negro community spectrum, the black nationalists led by Malcolm X, and rather than taking an attacking approach of his rival, he explains that X's violent cause is the result of the people's immense frustration with racial discrimination (King 520). "I have tried to stand between these two forces saying that we need not follow the 'do-nothing-ism' of the complacent or the hatred and despair of the black nationalist." (King 520) His proposal for responding to racism is to stay in between the two extremes of the Negro community by practicing nonviolent protest - to be firm, but not belligerent."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different leadership styles of Dr. MartinLutherKing, Jr. Also included, is a discussion of the obstacles Dr. MartinLutherKing, Jr. faced while diagnosing civil rights issues and implementing leadership strategies in the 1960s. The researcher also examines leadership in modern organizations juxtaposed with the Dr. MartinLutherKing's leadership.
Tags: african, american, civil, non, protests, rights, violent, visionary
Abstract This paper examines the life and influences of MartinLutherKing, Jr. It looks at how as one of the world's most famous supporters of social change through non-violent means, MartinLutherKing, Jr. pulled many of his ideas from numerous cultural traditions. Born in Atlanta during a time of extreme racial unrest, he grew up in a religious family who considered the church an instrument for improving the lives of African Americans. It outlines the main events of his life from his ordination as a minister to his work to being symbol of the African-American civil rights struggle.
From the Paper "After achieving few of his objectives in Albany, Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the need to organize a successful protest campaign free of conflicts with SNCC. During the spring of 1963, he and his staff guided mass demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, where local white police officials were known by their anti-black attitudes. Clashes between black demonstrators and police using police dogs and fire hoses generated newspaper headlines through the world. In June, President Kennedy reacted to the Birmingham protests and the obstinacy of segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace by agreeing to submit broad civil rights legislation to Congress (which eventually passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964)."
Abstract The paper evaluates the book ? Why We Can"t Wait", by MartinLutherKingJr., written in 1963. It focuses on LutherKing's letter: "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", which is included in the book. The paper looks at LutherKing's activities, outlook and message, as gleaned from his book. It attempts to show the book as an expansion of the letter.
From the Paper "Martin Luther King Jr. was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. He wrote the book Why We Can't Wait in 1963 at a time when the movement was about to change and become more under his leadership. King made the methods of the Montgomery boycott, non-violent protest, into the hallmark of the movement. The bus Boycott was successful, and after that, King and other leaders turned their attention to other issues. He addresses this effort in this book, includes the full text of his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," analyzes his own tactics and what the movement should be doing, and sets goals to be met."
Tags: letter, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, activities, outlook, message, Civil, Rights, Movement, Montgomery, Bus, Boycott, 1955
Abstract This paper will focus on the contrasts and comparisons of Malcolm X and MartinLutherKing. Their messages of freedom will be discussed and how they are different and alike. The more militant style of Malcolm X will contrasted with the love objective of MartinLutherKingJr.
Abstract This research attempts to discern what MartinLutherKing, Jr. meant by love and justice. The paper shows how he referred to these phrases as they relate to God's dynamic action seeking to create, restore and preserve God's community by participating in creation. The paper begins by describing how de facto racism and other forms of social injustice have become widely accepted norms both in the church and American social and economic life in the 21st century.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Chapter 1 Introduction
Significance Of Research
Methodology
Literature Review
Chapter 2 Love In Its Different Forms
Sacrificial Love
Mutual Love
Love As Equal Regard
Delivering Love
Chapter 3 Justice As Agape Love In Action Within Community
Radical Agape Love--Loving One's Enemies
Love, Justice, And The Image Of God
Love, Justice And Unity
Love, Justice And Integration
Chapter 4 Freedom, Sacrifice And Communal Responsibility
Limits To Freedom In The Beloved Community
Community Ruled By Agape Love
Agape Love And Interdependence
Communal Responsibility That Cares Comprehensively
Chapter 5 King's Vision Of Dynamic Love
The Command To Love
Love, Justice And Goodwill
Self-Giving And Cross-Bearing
Creative Altruism
Chapter 6 King's Vision Of Justice And The Beloved Community
The Color-Blind Doctrine From Plessy To King Color-Blind Or Color Conscious?
Beyond Civil Rights: Poor People's Campaign For The 21st Century
King's "Law" Of Justice As Agape Love In Action
Chapter 7 Tokenism And Justice: An American Perspective
The Increasing Significance Of Class And Race: From King To The 21st Century
Statistical Data Of Economic Disparity Along The Color-Line
God's Law Of Justice And The Role Of The Church As Custodians Of Agape Love
Chapter 8 Conclusion
What Should Christians Be Doing To Keep Justice As Agape Love In Action?
Where Do We Go From Here?
From the Paper "The nature and function of agape love in action requires a backward glance to traditional Greek mythology as communicated by Hesiod in particular, and poets and philosophers in general. According to Gordis, "The Greek epic poet Hesiod described human history as consisting of four successive ages, of gold, silver, copper, and iron, and the present was the last and the worst. The Prophets reversed this universal belief by positing the conviction that man's Golden Age lay in the future." While the Civil Rights Movement has not fully achieved all of its objectives, the movement managed to realize some fundamental reforms. For example, legal segregation as a system of racial control was dismantled, and African-Americans were no longer subject to the humiliation of various "Jim Crow" laws. According to Turner, "By 1956, a great deal of black blood had been spilled challenging the Jim Crow system, but the civil rights movement had achieved some major victories on the path to full black citizenship. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Pres. Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty established the promise for full integration of African-Americans into society." Furthermore, a wide range of public institutions were opened to all citizens and African-Americans achieved the right to vote and the influence that went with that right in a free democracy; nevertheless, scarcely a day goes by the underlying racial tensions in America do not erupt in some form or another."
Abstract This study examines the nature of civil disobedience within the religious anti-racism platform of Civil Rights activist MartinLutherKingJr. This paper compares the work of MartinLutherKing to the secular doctrines of civil disobedience in the writings of Henry David Thoreau, a secular society application of non-violence that need not be separated from religion. King was a highly religious man, and he used religion to inspire strength in his community by adhering to Biblical principles.
Abstract This paper examines the topic of MartinLutherKingJr, the civil rights campaigner's assassination in 1968 and how thirty-four years after his death, King's assassination still remains controversial. It shows how King was a volatile and frightening figure to the white community and to the many blacks who did not agree with his violent policies. It evaluates the circumstantial evidence surrounding his shooting and the evidence in the trial of James Earl Ray, accused of shooting King. It assesses some of the surrounding theories such that Ray was really a "front man," working for someone else. The author concludes that there are too many unanswered questions, and too much controversy surrounding the assassination to leave it alone and certainly unsolved.
From the Paper "The entire investigation surrounding the assassination seems to have been bungled and set up to frame Ray. There had been death threats against King before his fateful visit to Memphis, but he only had two police guards at the time of the shooting, reduced from eight, and one of them was absent due to a "mysterious threat." Even King's own family now believes Ray did not shoot King, Jr. and justice has not been served. "'Having met with James Earl Ray, I believe and my family believes this man is innocent,' King told reporters after the March 27 meeting. 'This visit has long been anticipated. This visit for me was a spiritual experience'" (Overbeck)."
Abstract This is a comparative philosophy paper on how Aristotle's ethical views of justice correlate to the beliefs expressed in MartinLutherKing, Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. The paper ultimately correlates King's just vs. unjust beliefs and Aristotle's corrective justice and absolute justice. While the majority of the paper examines King's views in relation to absolute justice; the conclusion correlates his incarceration not merely to holding a parade without a permit, but to Aristotle's views on corrective justice.
From the Paper "In Aristotle's ethical philosophy, he refers to justice in two ways: general and a special sense ("Aristotle"). As it relates to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his letter from the Birmingham jail, it is Aristotle's general sense of justice that we highlight. Observance of the law is central to Aristotle's general sense of justice and believed that justice was displayed in two forms: distributive and corrective("Aristotle"). In relation to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fight for equality, the second form, corrective justice is focused on. Corrective justice is not concerned with the position of the independent individuals or communities involved prior to the administration of corrective justice; it only knows that the goal is to secure equality for all ("Aristotle"). Corrective justice reduces the advantages of the one and supplements the disadvantages of..."
Abstract This seven-page undergraduate essay discusses the life of MartinLutherKing, Jr., and his illustration of the power of protest in American history, not only to African Americans, but also to all people. The essay traces his life; portraying the various ways that King used civil disobedience to proclaim his message of non-violence and ultimately display his importance to the time in which he lived, as well as contemporary society.
Abstract The paper elucidates that MartinLutherKing, Jr.'s unparallelled impact on the the American Civil Rights Movement was due to his articulate and moving orations and writings and his comprehensive understanding and use of political and social philosophies. The paper also looks at King's ability to embody the change he advocated to the African-American community and argues that he was the most influential leader of the American Civil Rights Movement .
From the Paper "A second justification of his unparalleled influence can be seen when examining the honor and modesty King portrayed throughout his life. Many identify Martin Luther King, Jr. as the most significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement simply due to the venerability of his character. It is the self-respect and honesty of both his personal and professional conduct which truly separates him from other political leaders of the era. For example, the fame and popularity King experienced did not change the individuality of his principles. King's beliefs were strictly based on his own morality and did not transform to match popular opinion. A clear illustration of the integrity of his leadership was his unwavering stance on the Vietnam War. "
Tags: african-american, social, philosophies, political
Abstract This paper gauges the ideology of MartinLutherKing, Jr. based on two of his lesser-known essays: "Where We Are Going" and "The Dilemmas of Negro Americans." These essays show how his message became more and more radical, while still retaining his dedication to nonviolent confrontation of oppression that he adapted from Gandhi's teachings.
Abstract This paper looks at the life of MartinLutherKing, Jr. as a Southerner who was a legendary figure from his generation and who believed that the wall of segregation could be demolished with the power of love. It looks at how he was an American clergyman, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and one of the key leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement advocating non-violent protest. It shows how he was successful in his challenges during the 1950s and 1960s to end segregation and racial discrimination by persuading many white Americans to support the cause of civil rights in the United States. He was assassinated in 1968, only to be remembered as man who had enough willpower to protest in the struggle for racial justice.
From the Paper "The Montgomery bus boycott went on for over a year, with huge protests among southern blacks. King was focused on a serious appeal to Christian brotherhood and American idealism of equal rights that led to the Whites outside the South to identify with his wants in a positive manner. In February 1956, ruling of the federal court was in favor of the MIA, whereby the city buses were no longer segregated. King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. This organization comprised of black churches and ministers had the objective of ending racial segregation. King became the president of SCLC and found ways to link the NAACP's legal procedures to end segregation through the courts with other with other SCLC leaders through non-violent protest to end discrimination."
