Issues Under Fire: Malcolm X or Dr. MLK: Who Was Right and Who was Wrong

Issues Under Fire: Malcolm X or Dr. MLK: Who Was Right and Who was Wrong

While reviewing the history of Black America during the 20th century, it became painfully apparent where the American Black took the wrong path. Presented with two very different messages and philosophies by two very different men, Black America chose the path of integration over separation. Martin Luther King promoted the "lets get along" angle and Malcolm X promoted the "lets get our own."

One can only wonder why the "lets get along" message sold so much better than the "lets get our own" when the history of America suggested in no uncertain terms, that "lets get along" was a long shot at best. Having suffered centuries of slavery, decades of Jim Crow and barely being tolerated in the life of White America, one would have thought, the idea of Blacks having a space of their own would have been more appealing.

One has to wonder, what could have possibly convinced Black America to remain optimistic that White America would  ever accept, treat or embrace Blacks as equals. After being held in bondage and openly referred to as criminal-minded subhumans, intellectually incapable of competing with Whites or other ethnic groups, one would think "Black Pride" alone would have had Blacks in America rejecting the idea of integration en masse.

Perhaps Black America lacked the confidence and the courage that they could survive solely on its own. Perhaps Black America placed too much faith in God and not enough faith in Black America. Perhaps Black America subconsciously believed what White America thought about Black America. Perhaps Black America was so physiologically damaged by its history, American Blacks just didn't believe in itself enough to take the risk.

The idea of creating one's own space to insulate one's self from unfriendly forces is not exactly a unique concept. Educating your own children, creating your own job opportunities, managing your own communities and determining your own future without the watchful eye of authorities that don't have your best interest at heart can only be achieved through separation.

Bottom line: If America is still conflicted over racial issues after more than 400 hundred years, one can reasonably presume, those issues will not be resolved anytime soon. For those who lack the patients to wait another 400 years for a change, your next steps should be obvious, because the debate between Malcolm X's path to Black freedom and independence and Dr. MLK's fight for racial harmony has to begin now. Podcast Below!