Martin Luther King, Malcolm X

Martin Luther King

January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

son of a Baptist minister

black middle class family

excellent student

in college to become minister

doctoral degree in Boston College

own church in Montgomery, Alabama

wife Coretta

Nobel Peace Prize

was arrested several times

house bombed

shot on protest march

same belief in equality, peace and justice for all

experience with segregation and discrimination

non-violent attitude

non-violent crusade

in movement for black equality

fight for justice ("Montgomery Improvement Association")

marches to show unity and power

"children's crusade": friendly, peaceful, quarter white

president of "Southern Christian Leadership Conference"

progress in registering black voters in the South

sensed that Blacks in the North have been neglected

1966: Leader without movement, but no giving up

fight against American involvement in Vietnam and for world peace; petitions
Malcolm X

May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965

son of poor country priest

well-educated, pretty mother

racial attacks in school => gave up school

never enough to eat

family wanted to escape oppressive racism

severe problems with white racist gangs ("Ku - Klux - Klan") => father killed

struggle for survival, too much for mother =>mentally ill

moved to Boston and joined gangs

drinking, gambling, smoking

own gang (burglaring, stealing) => caught => sentenced to 10 years in prison => end of life of crime

eloquent, powerful debater

lost right to speak in public for 90 days

house firebombed

trips to Africa, Europe, Middle East, Algeria, Mecca

shot on meeting of OAAU

same belief in equality, peace and justice for all

left school because of discrimination and racial attacks

black self-defence and militancy

"Black Power"

said that Kennedy got what he deserved when he was shot

representative of NOI (Nation of Islam)

left NOI

founder of Organisation of Afro American Unity and Muslim Mosques Inc.

Raised funds for his institutions

was recognized on his trips and watched by governments

spoke in public about tensions because of Vietnam war, about police brutality and civil disobedience

found that for Africans American Blacks are "long-lost cousins" and that not all white men are evil

national figure => police on his side

refused protection