Answer to Question #120320 in History for Raina Coker

Question

Why would Malcom X receive a large following with young angry blacks? Why would Martin Luther King Jr. have a greater appeal to older both black and white people?

Answer 1

Why would Malcom X receive a large following with young angry blacks?

Malcom X advocated for instant changes. He argued that non-violent methods proposed to solve the black man's problems in America were ineffective. He advocated for the black community to defend themselves by any means necessary in order to ensure that their rights and freedoms are respected "here" and "now". The younger generation would be inclined to support his methods.

Why would Martin Luther King Jr. have a greater appeal to older both black and white people?

Martin Luther argued that in order to achieve racial equality in america, the black community was better off using non-violent means such as dialogue and peaceful demonstrations to push their agendas. He argued that violence was impractical and immoral. He would appeal to the older generation.