Malcolm X and John Lewis had similarities and differences in their speeches. Not only did they have similarities and difference in their speeches, Malcolm X and John Lewis shared the same similarities in their strategy by wanting a revolution but had different tactics on how to conduct this revolution. The fight for freedom and the possibility that Malcolm X and John Lewis felt differently about the movement should be highlighted when examining the Movement.
Malcolm X and John Lewis speeches were similar in strategy because they both wanted African Americans to join a revolution and take charge. The only difference about joining or starting a revolution is Malcolm X wanted violence to be involved, the same way every other revolution solved their problems to obtain what they wanted (Malcolm X). They both viewed the term revolution differently than one another. John Lewis wanted to take a more peaceful approach and stated that the march will not only stay in Washington but move towards the South and through the streets of Danville, Cambridge, Birmingham, and Jackson (Lewis). In his speech, Lewis made sure to announce they will take a non-violent peaceful approach that will be filled with love and dignity, just like the demonstration they are doing now, to get their demands met unlike Malcolm X. Malcolm did not believe peaceful protest existed and John Lewis did (Malcolm X) (Lewis). Malcolm X expressed that a nonpeaceful protest was a negro revolution (Malcolm X).
Malcolm’s targeted audience was African Americans. Malcolm X did not care for the “white man,” therefore, he did not create his speech for them to “listen” to what he had to say (Malcolm X). Malcolm X believed African Americans should put their differences aside and unite to defeat the oppression caused by the white man (Malcolm X). He encouraged African Americans to stand up and revolt against those who have caused African Americans oppression and use violence to reach their goal (Malcolm X). John Lewis’ speech was for those who joined the demonstration but it was more aimed towards Congress. John Lewis wanted Congress to create more jobs and give African American’s more freedom. John Lewis wanted congress to pass the Civil Rights Act. John Lewis encouraged African Americans and others to continue to protest to reach their goal (Lewis). His speech was also focused on defeating segregation and rebuilding the South in the eyes of god and democracy (Lewis). Both men wanted to protect African Americans. Lewis said if the administration does not include title III in the bill, there is nothing that will protect children and older women from the brutality of police officers’ dogs and the fire hose as they demonstrate a peaceful protest (Lewis). Malcolm mentioned the contradicting actions in America regarding violence. He mentioned that in the eyes of America, African Americans were wrong to use violence to defend African American men, women, and children but it was ok for America to draft and send soldiers abroad to defend her using violence (Malcolm X). Both men wanted something to be done now. John Lewis said African Americans were tired of waiting and they wanted their freedom at this given moment (Lewis). Malcolm X was tired of being oppressed by the white man and wanted to start a revolution (Malcolm X).
The analysis of the speeches shows that Malcolm X and John Lewis both felt different about the movement. John Lewis wanted to use a nonaggressive approach to reach their end goals and gain their freedom. Malcolm X, on the other hand, wanted to use a more aggressive tactic by creating a revolution that used violence to bring attention to what was going on and take back their freedom. If these two figures felt different about the movement, there’s a possibility that others may feel the same. Both speeches address what it is they are fighting for and the cause of their problem. Malcolm X and John Lewis were fighting for freedom. Both men focused on the problem African Americans were facing and decided to take a stand against it by addressing the appropriate audiences.
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