Martin vs. Malcolm: The Olive Branch and The Arrow

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This gangster turned leader inspired fear in white America, and he meant to. He used the Jean Paul Sartre phrase “by any means necessary” to describe the resolve he, and the nation, had. Malcolm’s speech “By Any Means Necessary” was about finding “a solution to the problem that confront(ed) our people”. That problem was oppression. “By Any Means Necessary” was not intended to incite violence but solidarity. What he did assert was “the Afro American’s right to self defense.”

Malcolm’s philosophy was based on his reality, and his reality was a violent one. Therefore he stated that, “The history of unpunished violence against our people clearly indicates that we must be prepared to defend ourselves or we will continue to be a defenseless people at the mercy of a ruthless and violent racist mob.” It is often forgotten that prior to the riots of the 60’s the term “race riot” referred to whites coming into Black neighborhoods and perpetrating acts of violence. These same whites feared that taking their feet off of the necks of Blacks. “The Hate That Hate Produced” could have been called, “The Fear That Fear Caused”, such a title may have even been more accurate.

Regardless of fear and racism Malcolm made a point of stating that “we are Americans”, and that he believed in the viability of The Constitution of the United States. What he did not see was any evidence that that document was being applied to the rights of African Americans. Any law student who has studied the Supreme Court rulings onincorporation, the amendments to The Constitution that related to race, and the ways that those amendments were subverted in the name of states rights, would likely agree with Malcolm’s synopsis of the situation during his lifetime. On October 11, 1963, Malcolm was interviewed at UC Berkley, the first question that he was asked dealt with the “violent philosophy of Black Muslims”, his response to that question only spoke of violence in response to violence. Just as Booker T. Washington had been before him Malcolm was pragmatic. Violence is a staple of the American diet and was consumed in large quantities, and regurgitated on African Americans “without punishment” from this country’s founding until the Civil Rights movement. He was right about America but he was wrong about the role Whites would play in the freedom struggle and his understanding of non-violence as a methodology in that struggle. But he was learning and growing,

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