Malcolm X - Conflict Vs Peace

CONFLICT VS PEACE

CURTIS TIGNER

MS. POSNERFALKEN

04/20/12

ENGLISH 1101

"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence" (Dorothy Thompson). Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two influential figures in history that have changed America throughout time. Malcolm X formal definition: born Malcolm Little. He joined the Nation of Islam in 1946 and became a vigorous campaigner for black rights, initially advocating the use of violence. In 1964, he converted to orthodox Islam and moderated his views on black separatism; he was assassinated the following year ("Mal-colm X"). Martin Luther King formal definition: A noted orator, he opposed discrimination against blacks by organizing nonviolent resistance and peaceful mass demonstrations. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Nobel Peace Prize (1964). His birthday, January 15, is a national holiday ("King, Martin Luther"). From the very beginning in all the racism and civil-era, these two figures have paved the way for change in America. Even though there is still racism and hatred in America, these two civil activists are some of the major reasons why America has progressed so much. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., two political activists, differ in origins and political views, but share similar deaths.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 as Michael Luther King, but later changed his name to Martin ("Martin Luther King - Biography"). As Martin grew up, he was not always instantly set on Christian beliefs. In fact as a child, Martin had his many doubts about Christianity, but after years of schooling, he ultimately believed in the Christian religion one hundred percent ("Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."). This would ultimately pave the way for Martin's future. From the very beginning, Martin has always had that dedicated mentality to be and do the best he could at whatever he did. For instance, Martin was so zealous, that he finished high school early and attended Morehouse college in 1944 ("Martin Luther King, Jr."). While at Morehouse, Martin decided to further his education in ministry and after a few years, he graduated and later entered Boston College to study theology, philosophy, ethics etc. for the next three years ("Martin Luther King, Jr."). Throughout his college years, Martin won many awards and accomplishments. After Martin was officially done with college, he took his talents into boycotting and being a civil activist's leader.

On the other hand, Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska to Earl and Louise Little (Siddiqui). As a child, Malcolm was a very self-determined person. Even at a young age, he was always taught to be a hard and devoted worker at whatever he did. Even though Malcolm was focused on his academics, with the uprising racism around him, he tended to be the violent type of person. For example, when Malcolm was six, white racists shot his father (Siddiqui). Earl Little's death along with other things was a very pivotal point in his life, which lead to his dropout from school at the age of fifteen. Malcolm became increasingly involved with the streets and all the negative influences that came along with it. Malcolm was so involved with the streets that at the age of twenty he was convicted of his first crime of burglary and spent seven years in prison because of it (Siddiqui). While in prison, Malcolm converted to Islam and joined the nation of Islam.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963 ("Martin Luther King Jr. Online"). After Martin Luther King finished college, he joined the civil rights movement to help educate others. Throughout Martin's civil right years, he practiced a nonviolent type of approach to things. Since Martin was a pastor and heavily