Early Black Leaders of America
David Bryant
December 22, 2013
African American History
Early Black Leaders of America In history, it is a proven fact that leader is to lead in everything that we do in our daily lives. During the civil rights times on into the current time, there were black leaders of America that changed the world. Many black leaders paved the way for many of African Americans today and some died for us. Their ideas, tactics, and solutions for problems faced by blacks were significant. The three black leaders of America I will be discussing are Fredrick Douglas, Malcom X, and Martin Luther King. First, Fredrick Douglas was a prominent American abolitionist, author and orator. Born a slave, Douglass escaped at age 20 and went on to become a world-renowned anti-slavery activist. His three autobiographies are considered important works of the slave narrative tradition as well as classics of American autobiography. Douglass' work as a reformer ranged from his abolitionist activities in the early 1840s to his attacks on Jim Crow and lynching in the 1890s. For 16 years he edited an influential black newspaper and achieved international fame as an inspiring and persuasive speaker and writer. In thousands of speeches and editorials, he levied a powerful indictment against slavery and racism, provided an indomitable voice of hope for his people, embraced antislavery politics and preached his own brand of American ideals. Second, Malcom X was an activist and outspoken public voice of the Black Muslim faith, challenged the mainstream civil rights movement and the nonviolent pursuit of integration championed by Martin Luther King Jr. He urged followers to defend themselves against white aggression "by any means necessary." Malcolm became an influential leader of the Nation of Islam, which combined Islam with black nationalism and sought to encourage and enfranchise disadvantaged young blacks searching for confidence in segregated America. After Malcolm X's death in 1965, his
December 22, 2013
African American History
Early Black Leaders of America In history, it is a proven fact that leader is to lead in everything that we do in our daily lives. During the civil rights times on into the current time, there were black leaders of America that changed the world. Many black leaders paved the way for many of African Americans today and some died for us. Their ideas, tactics, and solutions for problems faced by blacks were significant. The three black leaders of America I will be discussing are Fredrick Douglas, Malcom X, and Martin Luther King. First, Fredrick Douglas was a prominent American abolitionist, author and orator. Born a slave, Douglass escaped at age 20 and went on to become a world-renowned anti-slavery activist. His three autobiographies are considered important works of the slave narrative tradition as well as classics of American autobiography. Douglass' work as a reformer ranged from his abolitionist activities in the early 1840s to his attacks on Jim Crow and lynching in the 1890s. For 16 years he edited an influential black newspaper and achieved international fame as an inspiring and persuasive speaker and writer. In thousands of speeches and editorials, he levied a powerful indictment against slavery and racism, provided an indomitable voice of hope for his people, embraced antislavery politics and preached his own brand of American ideals. Second, Malcom X was an activist and outspoken public voice of the Black Muslim faith, challenged the mainstream civil rights movement and the nonviolent pursuit of integration championed by Martin Luther King Jr. He urged followers to defend themselves against white aggression "by any means necessary." Malcolm became an influential leader of the Nation of Islam, which combined Islam with black nationalism and sought to encourage and enfranchise disadvantaged young blacks searching for confidence in segregated America. After Malcolm X's death in 1965, his