Malcolm X and Black Nationalism - Essay Example

Malcolm X and Black Nationalism James G. Marshall, of Princeton, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States, (609) 258-3000. Organization of Afro-American Unity, 2090 Seventh Avenue, Suite 128, New York 27, N.Y. Dear Sir, RE: A CHANCE TO VOLUNTEER FOR ‘THE MOVEMENT’ In regards to the continued agitation for the Civil Rights Movement, I feel obliged to volunteer as a member in ensuring that African-Americans are accorded their deserved rights and freedoms. This is because I believe it is a milestone in history of this nation to secure the rights for our people suffering from retrogressive laws of segregation and lynching both in schools and in the neighborhoods. I am, therefore, in a dilemma whether to accept the offer by the Black Nationalism or Black Power led by Malcolm X or Civil Rights and Integration steered by Martin Luther King, Jnr. However, it is imperative to highlight the visions of both astute Civil Rights leaders especially in their practical ways of confronting racial injustice in America. This is because there are fundamental aspects of addressing racial inequality that differ between the two iconic movements. The Black Movement or Black Power uses the vision and approach of advocating for black separatism and gaining economic self-sufficiency for the majority of African Americans. It also attempts to restore the pride of race in African Americans to counter the white racial prejudice blanketing the states and streets of America. On that note, unlike MLK’s idea of racial integration through non-violence, Malcolm X uses his speeches to call for a black revolution of the minorities. However, while my desire is to work with both leaders toward a common goal and objective of freeing blacks from the suffocating violation of their rights, it is critical to acknowledge the timeless approach by MLK of initiating dialogue with our enemies toward finding a lasting solution to this problem. According to MLK, eradicating the racial prejudice in America requires consistent collaboration with government and other relevant authorities with the intent of acquiring freedom and rights for African Americans (Price 135). Accepting an offer with MLK would, thus, ensure that I foster reconciliation and good relations with moderate whites possessing neutral views. It is equally evident that integration policies that bring people together are better than the black separatist stance advocated by Malcolm X in the ghettos. Overall, establishing peace is the most important thing because it softens the heart of extremists lacking compassion for Civil Rights. However, in spite of criticism against the Black Movement, it has pertinent ideals and vision that are critically missing in Civil Rights integration. For instance, as social movement, Black Nationalism tries to infuse a communal nature amongst African Americans to attain economic and cultural power. This means that its role and responsibility is to improve the lives of African Americans instead of joining hands with whites who are determined to thwart their efforts through segregationist laws and policies. I, therefore, prefer working with Malcolm X because he ardently champions the independent welfare of the minorities through practical methods that include the use of self-defense. Not that I support the use of violence in securing rights for our Black people because that could result to other dangers for the people, but it is still a feasible option. Another distinguishing difference between Malcolm X’s leadership and that MLK encompasses the use of masses to riot and rampage as a sign of civil disobedience. This implies that the power rests with the people in terms of organizing marches, sit-ins, and protests to fight for social and political rights and freedoms. Consequently, the advocacies of Black Nationalism find relevance with the deeper aspirations and hopes of most African Americans as opposed to the non-defense mechanisms proposed by MLK through calls for integration. Agitation for self-reliance amongst blacks is another foundation of the Black Power Movement that makes it more appealing when it comes to volunteering. The issues of fostering and introducing projects that assist African Americans alleviate their misery and poverty is the foremost step of bridging the gap between the upper and lower classes. It is an initiative that also inculcates self-esteem and self confidence in ghetto communities where people constantly find themselves corned by Jim Crow laws and policies that only impoverish their efforts. Contrastingly, its goals of ending discrimination in the local government and discrimination in housing are similar to those advocated by MLK in his rallies (Price 139). This demonstrates while both leaders have ideological differences in terms of vision and approach of eradicating white racial prejudice in American states, they agree that the greatest beneficiary is the ordinary black folk. Likewise, it shows the need for unity within the Civil Rights movement because these have more positive ramifications than the loner approaches applied by the individual leaders in their endeavors. It also increases the fragmentation amongst the local black people who depend on the guidance and leadership of both MLK and Malcolm X. Another fundamental purpose of Malcolm X’s ideology that would convince me to volunteer for the movement involves their racial liberation ideology because it has an international outlook. Enslavement history compelled the Black Power to fight national self-determination for all citizens of the world, but most essentially, Africa. This strategy was aligned with the clamor for the freedom struggle of African Americans in form of attaching their hopes and passions with those their African counterparts. Malcolm X labeled the suffering of the black people as an indiscriminate and atrocious evil that demanded for the same militancy including the use guns and other objects. Therefore, in my quest to select Black Nationalism led by Malcolm X instead of MLK’s Civil Rights integration approach, I am for the control of our politics. This is because it has a great potential in uplifting our communities from the ravages of poverty, hatred, and mending organizational differences that are hurting the progress of our people. In that perspective, I accept the offer to join Malcolm toward fighting for all forms of racial injustices and inequality that continue to stifle unity and cooperation in America. Yours’ faithfully’ James S. Marshall. Work Cited Price, Melanye T. Dreaming Blackness: Black Nationalism and African American Public Opinion. New York, NY: SAGE. 2009. Print. Read More