Similarities Between Malcolm X And Martin Luther King

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King both wrote powerful, motivating speeches to their people to endeavor a segregation movement. These speeches were given during the same time period: “I have a Dream” in 1963 and “Letter from Mecca” in 1964. Malcolm X in his devoted speech he talks about his experience in Mecca, which he saw many positive things. Martin Luther King's speeches empowered people lives because in his speech he called for an end to racism in the United States. Mr. King and Malcolm had the same views on racism, however they have different opinions on other things such as beliefs. “Letter from Mecca” and “I have a dream” speech have similarities and differences on their content. They have both similarities in common in which both speeches …show more content…
One difference is that they have distinct arguments in their speeches. For example, “America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem” (Malcolm 1). Also, Mr. King's speech states, “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back” (King 3). Malcolm purpose in his speech is to make America understand Islam that it is a religion that helps with its society; it is very different to Martin's purpose of his speech because he wants everyone to know that their is hope on having civil rights for everyone. Another difference is that both speeches use different rhetorical techniques to achieve the purpose. For example, “I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors” (Malcolm 1). Also, as Martin Luther King stated, “I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted…” (King 4). The rhetorical technique that Malcolm used was the rhetorical appeal of ethos to demonstrate credibility towards all colors, which established common value. Meanwhile, King used anaphora to tell the reader that their is hope on