MovieChat Forums > Malcolm X (1992) Discussion > If not for the likes of Malcolm X, rever...

If not for the likes of Malcolm X, reverent MLK would not have mattered

posted 9 years ago by al666940-3
4 replies | jump to latest

Anybody wants to bet against the notion that the white establishment only moved toward ending segregation, providing civil rights, and all that jazz because of fear of the radical violent black movements, not because of the peaceful ones?

The USA is not England, where Gandhi types can (eventually) shame the establishment into change.

Just like it took violent Maffia connected people like Jimmy Hoffa to extract basic humane working conditions for the trucking unions (working conditions that were already the norm in western Europe) and a Civil War to force the end of slavery, it took violent unrest in the 50's and 60's to force the passing of civil rights and the end of segregation and Jim Crow. Sermons and speeches of rainbows and unicorns alone would have accomplished nothing.

The only exception would be the gay rights movement.

[–] saskia520 8 years ago

What radical, violent movement are you referring to? The violence came from white America as black people demanded equal rights.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2411) 4 years ago

Malcom X made King seem reasonable. Malcom X wanted to overhaul society while (at the time) King merely wanted to become a part of it

But I will argue that our society did 'integrate' part of Malcom X's ideas--because blacks and African-Americans are now known by these names as opposed to the prior name. There are african american/black studies degrees and departments across the country. african american books, kwanzaa cards and items available for purchase and elected officials know what this holiday is. There are blacks on tv and theater in professional roles

Did he uproot capitalism no--but he uprooted many of our other ideas about culture and appropriate.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Anybody wants to bet against the notion that the white establishment only moved toward ending segregation, providing civil rights, and all that jazz because of fear of the radical violent black movements, not because of the peaceful ones?

Absolutely not.

Malcolm X was anti-integrationist and virulently anti-liberal, which was the exact opposite of what the liberals who ended segregation and Civil Rights were all about.

[–] Techto (1316) 4 years ago

The views of Malcolm Little/Malcolm X/Malik Shabazz evolved over the course of his life. Most people seem to remember and celebrate the militant, segregationist and, frankly, racist views of Malcolm X which he later largely disavowed.