Martin Luther King and Malcolm X - Essay Example

Nevertheless, the two authors seem to share feelings regarding the white run American society in which they lived. The two authors put blame on the whites for the prevailing racism; however, they agree that it was up to the black s to end the problem. Although Malcolm X and King used the black society, they had their own notions of how to deal and stop racism because Malcolm X favored the use of violence while King acknowledged the need use a nonviolent approach. King in his essay suggests a peaceful revolution although he is aware of eminent violence if peaceful demonstrations are unheeded; however, Malcolm X uses a direct and an aggressive approach in his article.

Although all whites were not involved in supporting the problem of racism because some were trying to help fight for the blacks, it took Malcolm X a lot of time to figure that out. Malcolm in his essay “A homemade education” points out that he never felt truly free in his life until the time he was in prison. King in his essay talks about overestimating goodness because he acknowledges that few members of a race that oppressed another can understand the yearnings of those that have been oppressed.

However, even after finding out he never received much white support as he hoped but he never lost faith in the white community (King 1&3; Malcolm 121-127). King in addressing the issue uses resources and references from the bible and religious icons in getting attention of the clergymen regarding the laws of segregation. Although this was an indirect route, he managed to attain what he wanted. King’s response to the clergymen uses peaceful rhetoric in presenting his arguments; moreover, he uses religious metaphors and imagery throughout his work in order to show peacefulness.

King uses religious metaphors because he understands that the audience is made up of religious leaders and capable of relating to the religious symbolism he uses. King uses religion to