Martin vs. Malcolm

1. Martin vs. Malcolm Unit 5 Lesson 3

2. Objectives To explore the ideological and political development of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X through primary source documents . To identify the various personal, social, and political factors that influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X’s leadership . To understand the opposing philosophies and tactics of King and X, as well as areas in which their ideas converged .

3. Warm Up Which groups were at the forefront of the early civil rights movement? NAACP CORE SCLC SNCC

4. Brainstorm – What words/ideas come to mind? Martin Luther King, Jr. Malcolm X

5. Who Said It? “I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.” “I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.” "There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous development. “The Negro of America is saying he's determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.” “[D]on't let anybody frighten you. We are not afraid of what we are doing... We, the disinherited of this land, we who have been oppressed so long, are tired of going through the long night of captivity.” “Black men have slammed the door shut on a past of deadening passivity.” “You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” “We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens until we are first recognized as humans.” “I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.” “It is a disgrace for Negro leaders not to be able to submerge our “minor” differences in order to seek a common solution to a common problem posed by a common enemy.” “I have been convinced that some American whites do want to help cure the rampant racism which is on the path to destroying this country.”

6. Background • Malcolm Little • 1925 – Omaha, NE • Son of Baptist Preacher who worked with UNIA • Suffered thru Depression • Father killed white group • Charity & welfare • Mom committed • White reform schools & foster homes in Michigan • “Trying so hard to be white” • Jail for burglary • Nation of Islam = Malcolm X • MLK, Jr • 1929 – Atlanta • Son of Baptist Preacher who worked with NAACP • Survived Depression • Mom & dad loving • Black grade schools • Morehouse College • Baptist preacher • Married, family

7. Late 50s-Early 60s: Contradiction • MLK, Jr • SCLC • Non-violent civil disobedience • Racial equality • “Letters from a MLK” Activity • Malcolm X • Nation of Islam • Non-engagement • Racial separatism • “Autobiography of Malcolm X” Activity

8. 1963: Turning Point • Malcolm invites King to speak at Harlem rally • “Common solution to common problem” • Vocal critic when MLK doesn’t respond • March on Washington • “I Have a Dream” • MLK leading voice of mvmt

9. 1964-65: Convergence • Pilgrimmage to Mecca • Changed man • Founded OAU, aligned with SNCC • Fear of one to promote the other • Malcolm X assassinated 1965 • King sends condolences to widow

10. Think-Pair-Share In what areas did Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X’s ideas converge? Shared dedication to struggle Strong black-run institutions in communities could help achieve equal rights in political system. X realized role of non-violent tactics in struggle King realized militancy driven by positive racial consciousness necessary for advancement.

11. Who Said It? Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes “I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.” 1967 “I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.” 1967 "There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous development. The Negro of America is saying he's determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.“ 1963 ”[D]on't let anybody frighten you. We are not afraid of what we are doing... We, the disinherited of this land, we who have been oppressed so long, are tired of going through the long night of captivity.” 1955 “Black men have slammed the door shut on a past of deadening passivity.” 1968 Malcolm X quotes “You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” 1965 “We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens until we are first recognized as humans.” 1964 “I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.” 1965 “It is a disgrace for Negro leaders not to be able to submerge our “minor” differences in order to seek a common solution to a common problem posed by a common enemy.” 1963 “I have been convinced that some American whites do want to help cure the rampant racism which is on the path to destroying this country.” 1964

12. 1965-68: A New Direction • Stokely Carmichael & Black Power • “What We Want” Reading Activity • King assassinated 1968…movement splits, no leadership to guide through new legal rights. • Nation becomes caught up in Vietnam

13. Activities Check for Understanding Political Cartoon Analysis

14. Closure How have your perceptions of Martin Luther King, Jr. or Malcolm X changed?

15. Credits • Stanford University’s King Institute • Lesson Plan: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution? • Clayborne Carson “The Unfinished Diaglogue”