Question

Martin Luther King jr. and Malcolm X DBQ analysis forms

Answer 1

Although Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X seem to have mutual respect and warmth, as shown in the picture of their only meeting, their philosophies were quite different from each other (Document A). Malcolm X made it clear that he believed that the African Americans and the White people should remain separate but should be considered equal to each other. He told white people “work in conjunction with us-each of us working among our own kind.”(Document C). Martin Luther King Jr., on the other hand, continuously preached equality and desegregation. He wanted White people and African Americans to work together. He said in his famous speech, “we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to climb up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” (Document B). It is evident that Malcolm X was only trying to push America backwards. By the 1960’s, Negroes were already enrolled in White schools and he was encouraging blacks to establish all black institutes and educational work shops (Document E). Martin Luther King’s philosophy was perfect at the time because it was pushing America forward more into desegregation.