The Lion and the Lamb

The Civil Rights movement of the 1960's made a dramatic mark on American society. It was spear-headed by two men of polar opposite theories. The first was the well known Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. He was renowned in the South for his inspirational preaching, peaceful morals, and super long name. The yin to this yang was Malcolm X. Northern born he was a leader of a more radical sort.
Though quite diverse Dr.King and Malcolm X did have similarities. As different as they were both ultimately had the same goal: equal rights and liberties for blacks. They both developed their passion through personal experiences growing up. They were molded as youths into the national figures that they became.
The contrast between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X lays mainly in philosophy. Dr.King believed that the goals of blacks and other minorities could be met through peaceful means. He believed in pacifism as was the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Tactics such as sit-ins, marches and boycotts were employed by Dr. King and his followers. Also, King wasn't only "fighting" for the rights of blacks but also for Jews, Catholics and all minorities. You could say he was more a servant of the cause of man rather than the cause of blacks; true equality. Malcolm X followed a more negative path, a more radical path. He believed that blacks, and blacks alone, had suffered for long enough and deserved their rights. They were going to get them and it didn't matter how, even if they had to take them. That's what he believed, liberty at any cost, even violence.
When faced with two paths to the same destination one must carefully weigh each. Even though the goal is the same it is the way you achieve it for which you will be judged. Dr.King's ways of peaceful protest triumphed over the radical teachings of Malcolm X. They eventually led to the civil rights acts that would enforce the rights of minorities. Through dignity and optimism King lead his people through a harsh time of hatred and discrimination.
The differences between Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X prove that the statement "the end justifies the means" is false. Two paths to a righteous goal may not both be honorable. King also proved that you can win by sticking to your principles and maintaining the course. Both Malcolm X and Dr.King are very important figures in American history. Their story almost can remind you of a fable; optimism and steadfastness over impatience and violence. It's a good story.