How Did Mlk Influence The Civil Rights Movement

Starting in the mid 1950’s and continuing through the late 1960’s, the African Civil Rights Movement made historic strides regarding the equality of black and white citizens. As any such groundbreaking movement, there were moments of both peace and violence, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the New York City Race Riots of 1964. Perhaps the most influential and well-known leader of the Civil Rights Movement was Martin Luther King Jr. He lobbied for equal rights for African Americans, while also promoting peaceful protests and a message of non-violence in general. However, it would be incorrect to cite MLK as the only influential African American figure during the time. Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee also contributed the great strides of the movement that resulted in the Civil Rights act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. However, while these 3 figures/parties all dealt with the racial
He believed that black people should defend and advance themselves “by any means necessary.” His speeches were especially effective for African Americans who grew tired of being told to wait for freedom and justice. His charisma and ability to appeal to those people not satisfied with Civil Rights Movement can be credited for the large increase in the Nation of Islam membership during the period.
After his separation from the Nation of Islam in 1965, Malcolm X did begin to change his views and expressed more willingness to work with civil rights movement leaders. He also claimed that his international travel had changed his perspective and believed that instead of focusing only on civil rights, it should be on human rights, as this would bring it to a global scale. He still advocated black nationalism and argued that if the government wasn’t going to protect black people, they should secure their own justice and