“I look to the day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Are the words that Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, hoping for the end of racism, discrimination and segregation. He had a dream for everyone to have the right to be treated equally, as all man should be. Martin Luther King started a revolution; people that were being treated unequal were fed up. This dream was for all war against racism to have an end to it. So that everyone can get together and form in unity as one nation.
What actually is the right way to approach ‘moving on’? It would seem it is engraved in human nature to be selfish and seek revenge, but what does that really lead to? In Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, for instance, King suggests a brotherhood between blacks and whites rather than dwelling on an unequal past. Suu Kyi even illustrates in John Pilger’s, “Icon of Hope” interview, that the people of Burma cannot progress without a degree of openness to diminish a lack of trust with one another. Chiefly, Mandela’s “Inauguration Speech” suggests that everyone is apart of each other, thus proving there needs to be harmony in a relationship of grievance.
In Martin Luther King’s acceptance speech for the noble peace prize, he articulates that nonviolence is a perfect answer to the crucial political and more question of our time- the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. Individuals of the black race were patronized and attacked due to racial injustice. MLK created a notion of nonviolence in order to end this injustice. He emphasizes that demonstrating a nonviolent demeanor is a much powerful force, which allows social transformation. However in order for social transformation to exist we must all develop a mentality/lifestyle that rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.
Rather than trying to integrate the black community into the white, Malcom X focused on the complete separation of the two races. He didn’t want the freedoms to drink at the same water fountain as the white citizens, but instead wanted his own water fountain for blacks that was equally as refreshing and sanitary. On the contrary, MLK response would overall want assimilate the two cultures and allow them both to drink from the same water fountain, regardless of skin color. King sought for non-violent ways of protesting African American rights using tactics such as sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. Malcom X was not afraid to use violence as a tactic and based his actions on a "by any means necessary" foundation.
Not because of the morality of it all but because he didn’t want the south to maintain more power. Tallmadge came up with an Amendment called, “The Tallmadge Amendment”in which it stated no slavery allowed to incoming states. This was quickly refuted by Thomas’ plan. Thomas had a different idea for what to do about Missouri. Instead of abolitioing slavery and ultimately giving the north more power, he made a compromise.
Martin Luther King’s main principle was non-violence; he refused to use aggression as a force to get what he wanted. He developed this technique after following the works of Ghandi, who had successfully used the same tactic in India. This tactic encouraged sympathy for the Black people from the rest of the world, as it promoted the inequalities that were around at the time, which shocked countries as America was supposed to be one of the more developed countries in the world, and its reputation as a free nation was severely damaged by the allegations that it was a racist country, and in the cold war Russians actually used this against them during the Americans campaign to liberate Russia from communism. King was very important during the Montgomery bus boycott as he organised it. It took a very charismatic and influential figure to organise this and keep it going for a whole year, as it was very inconvenient for black people at the time.
Washington was a realist who didn’t seek social equity for African Americans in the short run, rather economic and educational advancement. This speech’s goal is to promote gradual change that will benefit the African American community in the long run. Washington walks a thin line, but succeeds in showing both African Americans and Whites that divided they fall and together they stand.! ! !
MLK advocated for civil disobedience and positive tensions within a community to create a basis for negotiation. Socially he wanted people to be able to communicate their opinions and views across without coming off as a physical or violent threat to the public. He believed in peaceful protesting and boycotts which acknowledged the fact that there were also white Americans who fought and marched right along them for the same cause. Unlike MLK, Malcolm’s view was quite different in contrast because he believed that one should fight fire with fire, which only burns both parties. His teaching could not be as effective because he neglected the influence the white members would have on the movement, by resenting them as a race, therefore handicapping his popularity and likelihood of success within the various white communities.
Martin Luther King Jr. approach to attaining freedom for African Americans was through peaceful protest. King wanted equal rights for everyone, regardless of their color. "The sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality" this quote shows King's masterfull use of language to inspire his listeners, he put the idea of equality into their minds without resorting to
In his opening statements, giving our oppressors divine characteristics is said of those blacks that use slavery as the reasoning behind their lack of responsibility; however, I cannot depart from the impression that Shannon feels slavery hasn't had little or any effect on the moral fiber of blacks. If at its best, members of the black race have been left with the side effects of this potent drug. I must concur with Shannon with regards to the declaration of self-esteem being more profound than clothing and image. Blacks must begin to use their past struggles as a source of strength and self-motivation to achieve. By doing so, they would've found a sense of victory and inspiration through failure and struggle.