EXAMINING THE USA BASED ON THE INFLUENCES OF MARTIN

LUTHER KING JR. & MALCOLM X

By: Daryn Carlin

Background Information

1950s and 1960s USA, specifically the south Begins with Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) &

continues with Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

MLK (Nonviolence/passive resistance) Malcolm X (Violence/armed resistance/by

any means necessary) Malcolm X slowly moved off his violence

stand and was moving towards nonviolence before he was assassinated

Background Info. (con.)

MLK Principles of Nonviolence Malcolm X and the NOI Protest, peace rallies, speeches, church

involvement, boycott

Research Question

In what ways did MLK Jr. and Malcolm X influence the country before their untimely deaths?

Thesis Statement

MLK Jr. and Malcolm X influenced the country by providing a voice, leadership and promoting change in a country that was headed in the wrong direction.

Textual Evidence

“There is little hope for us until we become tough-minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance.” – MLK

“For years now we have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity” – MLK

“They issued two-foot-long cattle prods. Lingo also laid in a complete supply of tear gas with wide-nozzle guns capable of spraying gas over a broad area…” – We Shall Overcome

Textual Evidence (Con.)

“So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.” – Malcolm X

Reason

I wanted to explore the time period and the significance that these two leaders had on our country.

What Did I Learn?

I learned more in depth about their principles and the differences between the two.

They never technically worked together. They met in person only once at a press

conference.

Significance

This is important because it helped shape how our country is today

Bibliography

The Autobiography of Malcolm X X, Malcolm. The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

New York: Ballantine Books, 1964. The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. King Jr., Martin Luther, and Coretta Scott King.

The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: New Market Press, 1996.

We Shall Overcome Vol. II Garrow, David J. We Shall Overcome: Vol. 2 of

The Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Brooklyn, NY.: Carlson Publishing Inc, 1989.