The civil rights movement had many different takes on how to push for change. Civil rights leaders would often stray away from violence and in cases condone violence. There were protests, marches, speeches; this was not a boring time in history. Change was coming and people were taking to the streets to make sure that this change was inevitable. Racism has seen its time come and go and now it was time for these people to step up and refrain from being socially oppressed any longer. Violence was not the answer, though civil rights activist leaders such as Malcolm X would push for such a thing. Less bloodshed is in the best interest of everyone supporting the cause. Peaceful protests that Martin Luther King Jr. supported protected the people who were fighting so hard. King wanted sacrifice, but he didn't want the sacrifice of lives he wanted the sacrifice of anger. He wanted many to replace that anger with a restrain of violent emotion so strong that in the face of the white man they will say we well not fight because we want to be socially equal with the white man, not topple his place and take over the helm. Everyone had their different point of views on the subject matter but who had the right approach? One must look at the Civil rights movement closely to see those who were involved, what kidn of people they were, and the ideals they pursued. Through further research, the civil rights leader with the most success was  Martin Luther king Jr., with his optimistic and massive crowd of followers compared to Malcolm X who had a more selective crowd and skewed ideals.

In the later 1950's early 1960's tension was high for the civil rights activists and protesters. The protests started small and calmer then eventually escalated to massive militant groups seeking justice. This was all in effort to overcome the segregation that came with the white man's laws and politics. Martin Luther king Jr. starts to become a prominent figure in arguably the most righteous act to start the boycotts: Rosa Park's famous stand.  Everyone knows the story of how she refused to give up her spot for a white person and so began the Montgomery bus boycott. This is where MLK Jr. had risen as a intelligent and persuasive figure. This is what the oppressed people of the 1950's needed; a leader whose beliefs were in the best interest of safety for his people. Absorbing peaceful tactics from his grand role model Mahatma Gandhi, King started the movement of non-violent protesters along the states. MLK Jr. coming to power was extremely fortunate for those who followed him for if he had ideals such as Malcolm X, many people could have died very early on. Moreover, there are many factors as to why Martin Luther King Jr. was a successful leader. 

To start, he was a Christian. Many blacks of the time were Christian and King could use his religion to push for peaceful change instead of a revolution with bloodshed. Another was that he wanted to unite with white people rather than push them away, therefore having white people march with him and come to his famous speech. Lastly was his poise. He had composure like no other leader. It takes great strength to push for peace when his brothers and sisters are being jailed, harassed, and murdered. With his charisma and remarkable talent regarding public speaking, he became the most influential leader the civil rights movement. Everyone knew who Martin Luther King Jr. was and of his virtuous strategies in achieving seemingly impossible feats. News broadcasts, the radio, newspapers, mail couriers, street signs, Kings voice was heard around the nation and that was his greatest asset, the spread of his influential word to many if not all. 

Now, Malcolm X did not see eye to eye on Martin Luther King Jr.'s tactics. Violence was his ally as he preached a revolution with bloodshed. The most controversial speech of Malcolm X's is "grassroots," delivered 50 years ago. In this speech he addressed the racial problems within society but he also digs deeper. He questions the integrity of each and every person in the crowd. He tests their strength and their will to overcome this ongoing oppression the black people have experienced as a race. However, in many ways it wasn't half the speech Martin Luther King Jr. gave in 1963. He proceeds to talk about racism and how there were field Negroes and house Negroes. The field Negroes hated their master and would watch his house burn down

while they house negro would do everything he can to put that fire out. He proceeded to insult many in the crowd by saying there are still house Negroes running around, basically trying to suck up to the white man. People didn't like Malcolm X as much as King. King had thousands and thousands of followers, white and black, while Malcolm X wanted to separate for the white man, and made claims that King was working with the white man and it was all a hoax. He tried to attack fellow civil rights activists, who were pushing for change just like he was, and that didn't sit right with the followers of him and King. Another reason why he failed as a civil rights leader was because he pushed for violence. He wanted a black revolution with bloodshed. He wanted his followers to fight the white man or die trying. King wanted to fight the white man but protect themselves through peacefulness. Violence was not the answer to overcoming their oppression, but Malcolm X was crazed with this idea of physical battle against the white man to prevail.

Another factor in his significant amount of fewer followers was his religion, Malcolm X was a Muslim: a completely different religion maybe not everyone even understood back then. Lastly, Malcolm X's largest pitfall as a leader is his lack of likeability, therefor less media attention. The media played a big part in the civil rights movement because it was hard to shy away from when it was in every newspaper and in every topic of conversation. However, it's beneficial to our history that Malcolm X didn't have the power MKL Jr. did, because many would have died and society today would not be the same.

All in all, the civil rights movement goes down in our history as a race for equality. It started as a walk, turned the corner and went for the jog, and the home stretch was an all out sprint. It was a time that preached peace, yet violence was apparent. It was a time that preached brotherhood and family, yet there was betrayal. Ultimately, two massive leaders during the movement had preached their ways and how they thought their social equality should be brought to justice. After doing more research on the two, there are many differences between the men, which make them strong willed, and weak. It was not easy to watch their race be oppressed for so long so the tremendous amount of strength it requires to lead a protest that abstains from violence takes a lot of will and faith. Through Martin Luther King Jr.'s faith, black people have social equality today.

