Many leaders emerged during the period of the Civil Rights Movement, capturing America's attention. The best known leaders were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. In this discussion the lives and achievements of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X will be compared and contrasted. Their beliefs were shaped by their childhood experiences and the way they were raised. Both men fought for their rights, but used different methods to achieve them. And even though their visions of the future for African Americans differed greatly, their approaches were still very effective. King used the nonviolent approach while Malcolm However, both are legendary men, yet to this day they are considered two of America's great icons. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of the Rev. Michael King Sr. and Alberta King. King was originally named Michael King Jr. in honor of his father, who later changed his name in homage to reformer Martin Luther. The King family were middle-class African Americans who valued education. As a child, King grew up being considered inferior. He was told that black children were not allowed to use the same facilities as white children; they couldn't even drink from the same fountains as white children. All around him, African Americans in the South were suffering humiliating injustices at the hands of whites. These early childhood experiences led the young King to his passionate drive for equality that led him to become, arguably, the best-known individual in connection with future campaigns for African American rights. In his final semester at Morehouse College, King was ordained as a Baptist minister at Ebene... middle of paper... essay/biography/historical-figures/martin-luther-king-jr-e -malcom-x. Last accessed March 9, 2014.Mabelle. (2011). Differences between Martin Luther King and Malcolm Last accessed March 9, 2014. Bhattacharya, P. (2011). Accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. Available: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/accomplishments-of-martin-luther-king-jr.html. Last accessed March 9, 2014.The Gook. (2012). Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: incompatible or complementary? Available: http://constantmoon.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/martin-luther-king-jr-and-moltrem-x/. Last accessed March 9, 2014.Henry Ford. (2002). The story behind the bus. Available: http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/rosaparks/story.asp. Last access March 9th 2014.