The first reason that makes MLK's philosophy better than Malcolm X's is MLK's view on

nonviolence. Unlike Malcolm X, who advised his supporters to use violence if confronted by a
racist, MLK told his followers to never use violence no matter what the case was. According to
MLK, "Violence may murder the murderer, but it doesn't murder. Violence may murder the liar,
but it doesn't murder lie; it doesn't establish truth. Violence may even murder the dishonest man,
but it doesn't murder dishonesty. Violence may go to the point of murdering the hater, but it
doesn't murder hate" (Document 8). The phrase basically means that violence could get rid of
one man, but can't get rid of an idea. He is saying that violence will not solve any problems, but
just stir more. Malcolm X on the other hand says, "I believe we should protect ourselves by any
means necessary when we are attacked by racist" ( Document 9). This philosophy would not
improve the Civil Rights Movement, but just worsen it. If African Americans responded to the
violence, the media would manipulate the scene and make it look like the African Americans
were the ones being aggressive and violent. If MLK's philosophy was used, there was no way
that the African Americans could appear violent which would make the white man look like the
"bad guy". MLK's philosophy was extremely effective and was is one of the reasons we have
Civil Rights today.
The second reason that MLK's philosophy was better than Malcolm X's was that it helped
the African American community's economy and helped it thrive to new peaks never seen before.
MLK's way of using marches and boycotts were extremely successful in helping the economy.
Bus segregation was a big issue for African Americans because it was their main way of
transportation to their jobs so they could earn money. But using nonviolent techniques like the
Montgomery Boycott, bus segregation was finally integrated and Negros could finally ride the

bus freely sitting anywhere they liked. In Document 6, MLK says "In the past six months simply
by refusing to purchase products from companies which do not hire Negroes in meaningful
numbers and in all job categories, the Ministers of Chicago under SCLC's Operation Breadbasket
have increased the income of the Negro community by more than two million dollars
annually....". By refusing to get jobs in the community, the companies would have less
employees and would produce less products and would make less money. Since they were losing
money, the companies would have to employ African Americans in order to stay stable. When
the African Americans were hired, they made more money which would increase the income of
the economy. MLK's philosophy was able to do all this by using nonviolent ways which makes it
better than Malcolm X's philosophy.
The third reason why MLK's philosophy was better than Malcolm X's was because MLK
wanted African Americans to be able to go to school with other races. Malcolm X wanted
African Americans and white people to go to separate schools and even live in separate
communities, which would just worsen racism and cause a lot of conflict. In MLK's speech, "Our
God is Marching On." he says, "We are on the move now.... Let us march on segregated schools
until every vestige of segregation and inferior education becomes a thing of the past and Negroes
and whites study side by side in the socially healing context of the classroom" (Document 3). He
is saying that he will to continue to use nonviolent protesting until school segregation is no
longer an issue. In Document 6, by just avoiding jobs, the Negro community was able to improve
by so much. MLK's philosophy could be used on the school system and the same progress should
happen. Today, we have integrated schools where colored kids and white kids can go to school
safely, which we could thank MLK for.

MLK's philosophy was better than Malcolm X's philosophy because he used nonviolent
ways , helped the Negro economy, and helped stop school segregation. MLK's philosophy was
nonviolent and extremely effective just like Gandhi's fight for India independence. If it were not
for MLK, segregation could still be a thing and a huge problem in society.