Introduction
Martin Luther King Jr., Henry David Thoreau, and Malcolm X assisted in shaping the current American society that is made of the blacks and whites. For Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, they seemed to be preaching two opposing sides of politics of the blacks. Martin called upon nonviolent ways of resisting the white domination while Malcolm insisted on any available means that were necessary for bringing the liberation to the black community. As a result, Malcolm has always been misrepresented as ‘black Klu Klux Klan’ that was a group which consisted of racial extremists. Henry David Thoreau, on the other hand, was known for his support for the abolitionist movements in the United States. He proposed a philosophy centering on civil disobedience and as such, he enormously impacted on the political thoughts, as well as, actions of notable personalities in America. (Hobbes 3) The following article will thus present a discussion and consequent ranking of the three legends from best to worse regarding the one who applied the most skillful and artful approaches towards practicing the ideologies of Machiavellian prince.
The doctrines of Martin Luther King enormously assisted in setting the tone for tactical ways of solving the tranquilities of the black community in America. While in Jail in Birmingham, Martin mentions that in addition to being locked up because of his perceived association and input in the Alabama Christian Movement for Human rights, he is there because of the prevalence of various injustices in that society. He had the compassion of carrying the concept of freedom beyond his hometown. (King 1). He points out that whatever is affecting any individual in the United States society would have an impact on every other person in America. It is this theory of inclusivism that sets his bar higher above other legends as will be mentioned. His justifies the demonstrations against the white domination that invariably took place in different parts of America by mentioning that the whites left the Negro community with absolutely no alternative at all but to seek the provision of their rights.
As an advocate for the integration of different races in the American community, he called for a halt of a systematic segregation processes that were evident. Besides, through his Christian influence, he advocated for the integration of missions and aims that would level the racial barriers thus leading to the creation of equal opportunities regardless of the skin color of an individual. Such a manner in which Martin used to pass his message forward was through civil disobedience. Notably, this was a form of disobedience and a refusal to follow the laws and social legislations that were deemed biased, as well as, unjust especially to the black community. It was a proper way as it did not lead to unnecessary loss of blood.
He identifies the atrocities that the Negro communities face. Some of them include bombings of their churches and homes, brutality, and segregation among the black communities. (King 2). In spite of all these happenings in his face, he does not resort to violence as some of his counterparts had done. This shows sobriety and care for humanity since if he had resorted to violent means of finding a way out, several lives would have been lost.
Martin also points that he does not seek to break the rules of the land as other segregationists would do because this would culminate to anarchy. He confirms that an individual like him who willingly accepted the imprisonment penalty just for the sole purpose of arousing the society's consciousness over the prevailing injustices is, in reality, expressing the highest regard for the laws of the land. (King 5). Even when at times Martin Luther King would be faced with violence, he would counter that with love as his strong Christian background dictated. He adequately made explanations on the reasons for Christian leaders such as him and other concerned members of the society having a moral obligation to resist legislations that propagated hate in the society.
Malcolm X
He was a liberal critic of Martin Luther King because they had different ideologies and tactics for mitigating the racial segregation that was imminent in the United States. His fundamental concern was establishing ties with particular black activists whom he perceived to be more militant than Martin Luther King. On many occasions, Malcolm had the feeling that the activities of King did not make any significant impact on the society. It is as a result that he resorted to a violent approach to tackling the issues at hand. His way of dealing with segregation was not acceptable thus putting him at the second position behind King. His ideas constantly preached black supremacy together with enormously propagating hate within his circles. (X and Haley 245). Worth noting is that some members of his black community did not think that this was the way to mitigate the idea of discrimination in the American society.
At a second position, Malcolm X criticizes the role of Christianity at the hands of the white man. He mentions that their only achievement is that they have not grown violent and as such, they have accepted the concepts of the white into their ways of life. (X and Haley 251). Because of such ideologies that he held dearly, he was at one time considered as the most dangerous and controversial man in America. He had distanced himself from other leaders who had wanted liberation for the African-American community in the United States. However, it is such actions of defiance that make him stand out among the liberators of the Negro community. He stood for the right and justified whether he would use force and violence just to achieve it. He was able to conduct mass rallies that were entirely successful. (X and Haley 252). This was a high sign that even though some people did not buy into his violent approach, he still had a massive following in the society.
During his time, it has been reported that Malcolm X was the second most sought after speaker in America. It is through this that he managed to pass his ideologies to universities, schools, and even organizations. He managed to bring several personalities into his boat such as Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. The influence that he exercised on the society cannot be underrated. It is through such that he managed to pass the ideas of liberation by taking advantage of any means available. As a result, he constantly urged those who subscribed to the Black Power Movement to challenge the nonviolent approach of King and, on the other hand, defend themselves and what belonged to them through any aggressive means available.
Thoreau
He was an ardent proposer of the abolitionist movement in the United States. He is best remembered for writing strong attacks on the execution of John Brown, as well as, the fugitive slaves' law and, as a result, calling for civil disobedience in the society. Regarding John Brown, he gives his strong sentiments questioning the manner in which he was killed. He addresses the captors of John Brown and asserts that they are committing a huge wrong against the creator, as well as, humanity. It would thus be justified for all those who were held in captivity to be released henceforth. Worth noting is that even though Thoreau had meaningful insights regarding equality in the United States, he did not match the influence that his fellow counterparts that have been mentioned above did. He notes that there is a need to comprehend the rights of colored people who are both poor and weak as a result feel oppressed by the power of the slaves.
He does not just ask for a government in the United States but a better one that would sustain the needs of everyone in its society equally. (Thoreau 2). He retorts that the government has always had the propensity of imprisoning its people unjustly. (Thoreau 7). Machiavelli would either appreciate or depreciate the inputs of the legends that have been mentioned above. This would be the case especially because he had differing opinions with them. Mostly, the leaders utilized their positions of authority for purposes of spreading their values, as well as, beliefs based on significant issues of philosophy. Machiavelli differed with King on the idea that a leader needs to be conscious. He believed that consciousness had the propensity of making a leader weak.
With a discussion on harsh governing, Machiavelli talks about it as being necessary while Thoreau mentions it as unjust. Machiavelli mentions that the qualities for one to be a leader encompass love fear and hate. On violence, he points out that a prince should practice a given level of violence for the maintenance of his status. (Machiavelli 61) He also mentions that when the prince allows disorder to take place, they will in the end culminate to killings, as well as, robberies. (Machiavelli 65) Lastly, Machiavelli holds that it is both ideal for a prince to be loved and also feared. However, because of the wickedness and the self-interest that men are associated with, it is better for one to be loved than feared. With all these ideologies in place, Machiavelli notably portrays the thinkers in the order as mentioned above.
Conclusion
The above article has presented a discussion on three legends that Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Thoreau regarding their fight for the liberation of the black community. In terms of the most skillful and artful in his approach towards racial segregation, Martin Luther King takes the leader. This is as a result of the sobriety that he exhibited in pushing for non-violence means of solving their unrests. Malcolm X, in spite of his drive for aggression against the white domination, come second. He achieved worthwhile accomplishments even as he was a heavy critic of Martin Luther King. Thoreau comes third in the use of skill and art in pursuing liberation in the society.
Works cited
King, Martin Luther. Letter from Birmingham Jail. 1st ed. Birmingham: The estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963.
Hobbes, Thomas. Hobbes and Thucydides. 1st Ed. The Harvard Classics, 1909.
Machiavelli, Nicolo. The Prince. 1st Ed. New York: Constitution Society, 1515.
Thoreau, Henry. A Plea for Captain John Brown. 1st ed. Massachusetts: N.P., 1859.
Thoreau, Henry. On The Duty of Civil Disobedience. 1st ed. America: Gutenberg, 1993.
X, Malcolm, and Alex Haley. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. New York: Ballantine Books, 1992.
