Essay on "Malcolm X Is the Most Misunderstood Figure"

Essay 4 pages (1206 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Malcolm X is the most misunderstood figure in the American Civil Rights movement and perhaps in modern American history. Although his message of freedom differed significantly from that of his contemporary, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X was no less influential. Malcolm X championed a vision of Black American independence that was "by any means necessary" an independence that did not depend on whites granting freedom but on Blacks taking it. In other words, Malcolm X did not feel the need to acquiesce to white power. Malcolm X did not honor the dominant culture, the powers that be, the establishment that for so many years had crippled the African-American even decades after the abolition of slavery. Malcolm X is a hero, as powerful but perhaps more controversial, than Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the autobiography, Alex Haley has Malcolm X quoted as saying, "They call me 'a teacher, a fomenter of violence.' I would say point blank, 'That is a lie. I'm not for wanton violence, I'm for justice.'" Herein lies the most important reason why Malcolm X proved to be a more controversial and maligned figure vs. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King was an outspoken advocate of Mohatma Gandhi's policy of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. King, like Malcolm X, spent time in prison and also stood up to the white authorities in the south. However, Malcolm X did not envision a future in which white Americans would ever truly treat Black Americans as equals. In retrospect it seems that X was more correct than King. After all, Hurrican Katrina revealed the deep divisions between Black and white in America. Poverty is linked with race nationwide, and although overt racism is rare now, covert racism is not.

When President Obama took office, the nation saw for the first time a President who was also a man of power. Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X would have been completely proud not just of the President but also of America for coming so far as to elect a person of color into the highest political office. What Malcolm X was trying to say was that true equality still has not been played out on the streets. Even though Barack Obama is President of the United States, inner cities are teeming with crime, poverty, and political disenfranchisement.

Both the messages of King and X were necessary to propel the Civil Rights movement. King offered all Americans the chance to hope and dream. Malcolm X, on the other hand, offered African-Americans a singular message that was not available or accessible to whites. Whereas King championed integration and peaceful protest, Malcolm X noted that integration would never work and neither would peaceful protest come to fruition. Ultimately both men were correct. Malcolm X was correct in noting that even after the Civil Rights Act, racism still remained rampant in the South. Black communities could not empower themselves, because individual families were torn apart by years of degradation and racism. Fathers could not earn enough money to care for their families, and often turned to black market activities to achieve their financial goals such as feeding their families. Many went to prison, leaving Black American mothers with the responsibility of raising families on their own. Malcolm X was raised in a situation in which he knew first hand how Black American families were torn apart by systematic and institutionalized racism. Like many African-Americans of his generation, Malcolm X fled to the North, to New York City, to find a better life and perhaps break free of the continual bonds of oppression.

For Malcolm X, slavery… READ MORE

How to Reference "Malcolm X Is the Most Misunderstood Figure" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Malcolm X Essay

Not even Martin Luther King Jr. Or any other integrationists were regularly broadcast campaigning for the plights of African-Americans. X was the sole individual to do this. Moreover, it is… read more

Essay 3 pages (972 words) Sources: 0 Topic: African-American / Black Studies

---

Malcolm X Themes Present Term Paper

Malcolm X

Themes Present in the Works of Malcolm X and Richard Rodriguez

Determination and commitment

The themes of determination and commitment are central to the texts under consideration here.… read more

Term Paper 12 pages (3392 words) Sources: 1+ Style: MLA Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Malcolm X Was a Black Nationalist Term Paper

Malcolm X was a black nationalist and a Muslim leader and his personality and dedication to the causes he protected made him one of the most important African-Americans in the… read more

Term Paper 9 pages (3051 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

Malcolm X Alternative Education Thesis

Malcolm X

Alternative Education According to Malcolm X and Richard Rodriguez

Many of the great minds and figures in history, while renowned for their extraordinary knowledge, singular abilities and expansive… read more

Thesis 2 pages (616 words) Sources: 2 Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Malcolm X Family and Faith Essay

Malcolm X

Family and Faith in the Autobiography of Malcolm X

Few figures in the Civil Rights Movement of the mid twentieth century, if any, are as controversial as Malcolm… read more

Essay 5 pages (1523 words) Sources: 1 Style: APA Topic: African-American / Black Studies

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>