Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” and Malcolm X’s “By Any Means Necessary.” (Again, both documents for in “Course Documents.” In a coherent essay, begin by telling why King wrote the “Letter.” What did King expect from his fellow clergymen regarding the struggle for black rights? Fourteen months later, Malcom X gave his speech, entitled “By Any Means Necessary.” What is he asking of America? In what ways are the pieces alike (if any), and in what ways do they differ? (35 points)
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the “Letter” while he was in Birmingham Jail because of the injustice he was facing. King said: “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here”. He was jailed in prison because of his movement to stop desegregation. King explains that he was in Birmingham because “I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here”. King believed that anyone who lived in the United States deserves to have freedom and has to be treated with justly. He expected from his fellow clergymen to understand why he did his activities and instead of calling him as he indicated “unwise and untimely”. King was not going to stop his movement until desegregation stops. The “Letter” was King’s most powerful …show more content…
King’s response to violent and nonviolent acts was the same. Whether it was violent or nonviolent, the respond by King’s movement was with negotiation and peace. Malcom X’s response to such violent acts against African Americans was defending themselves. Protecting the people was the most significant difference between the two movements. However, both Malcom X and King were fighting for the exact same reason which was seeking desegregation, freedom and justice to African Americans. They essentially struggled against all acts of injustice and segregation just for the reason of color differences or