In society, the employment of literature is a successful communication tool
Many leaders and sociologists used literature as the most powerful instrument in transmitting their messages to the audiences in their civilizations in this manner. The two historic leaders are known across the world as great campaigners for social justice and African American liberation. In theory, MLK and Malcolm had diametrically opposed perspectives on how to achieve freedom and social justice through opposing segregation and racial discrimination in their own societies. Interestingly, the course of their approaches had one aim in common: freedom in the society. Notably, the two authors possessed divergent opinions on the approach to freedom and social justice in the society. Nonetheless, the two have some similarities and differences in their literary contexts.
Similarities / Differences
Both leaders employed strategic use of rhetoric devices to inflict shameful feelings among their audience in most instances within their stories. In their texts, both of them approach the audience with the rhetoric stance that inflicted a lot of shame to the target audience in the society. MLK records "You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement...fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations." (Luther 5). This way, the clergymen were to be ashamed of their critics on the actions of King and his people in demanding for their fundamental rights in the society. Similarly, Malcolm asserts that it is very shameful to ask for something that is already yours from someone else. His assertions included claims such as incompetence and unwillingness to protect their own rights were intended to make the local citizens identify their weaknesses and foolishness in the social organization. Thus, the baseline of the context was to arouse the inner feelings among the communities to take up their responsibilities in the society in search of their freedom and liberation from racial injustices.
Both of them advocated for freedom of the African American society. They shared common thoughts on the need for tolerance of race and ethnicity in the country. The ideology of a society full of equality and lacking in segregation formed the major focus of their discussion concerns within the contexts of their writings. Their stories present some of the most crucial periods in the history of transition to the universal acceptance and tolerance of race in most parts of the world today. Therefore, there is a common tone of passionate concern for the society in both cases among these authors.
MLK use of an appealing tone helps to explore the context of his respect for the authority and peacefulness in most of his endeavors in the society. In the entire text, MLK is very hopeful and confident about his approach to finding a resolution to the social problem. Thus, the article replies to the concerns of the clergymen with a very confident tone. In his response, he cites some authority contexts. At some point, for instance, he asserts "But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond the boundaries of their home towns..." (Luther & Vivian, 3). He uses very respectful language and effective mastery of the relevance of authority in his techniques in attacking the social menace. His calmness and confidence manifest all through the letter as he responds to the clergymen's concerns. On the other hand, Malcolm uses provocative and insightful language to deliver his concerns regarding the quest for freedom in the society. He has a strong foundation in the Islamic religion. Therefore, his tone of communication expresses a deep connection to free will to engage in any form of response to the Whiteman's tactics in the society. He encourages the grassroots to be vigilant and ready to fight for the rights in the society (Marable, Manning, 26).
MLK identifies the use of a lot of citation of the authorities such as "my dear clergyman" (8) as a well respectful language in approaching the audience in the messages. Contrariwise, Malcolm proclaims the use of humor as the language style of his writing in the contexts. He insists on the responsive approach to the events in the society. Evidently, the contrast, in this case, lies on the religious backgrounds of the individuals in the contexts. MLK has a strong Christian background while Malcolm had learned the fundamental beliefs in the Islamic culture. This way, they approach their concerns from different perspectives with respect to their own understanding of the desires of the society based on both the spiritual matters and the physical demands of the events within the societies.
Evidently, MLK considered rational dialogue and effective communication as the most effective way of initiating change and realizing freedom in the society. As a result, he advocates for non-violence and peaceful negotiation with the authorities to ensure freedom and equal treatment of the African-Americans. He applied the fundamental principles of his Christian background to proclaim freedom for all in the society. On the other, Malcolm believed in a violent style of resolution. His approaches involved strong stance on violence for violence in most of his writing. Such radicalization is the message he passes on the grassroots electorates.
Moreover, Luther uses rhetoric secularism in the religious contexts to remind the believers that they have to live by their faith in the society. This way, he makes the audience feel ashamed of failure to adhere to their spiritual demands in the society. However, Malcolm uses the rhetoric context to criticize the ability and willingness of his people to engage in political affairs as well as their stance in protecting what was rightfully theirs in the society. Such divergence in approach seeks to instill shame and initiate activism among the citizens in seeking their freedom. Another difference in the two articles is that MLK approaches majorly the religious groups in his letter while Malcolm approaches all the African American citizens.
In conclusion, the presentation of the two authors highlights the major concerns among the African American societies during when social segregation, racial discrimination dominated the country's cult. MLK uses peaceful approach as the best technique to counter the injustices in the society. His belief in dialogue and peaceful negotiations remains unmatched in the history of the rise in global tolerance and acceptance of peace in the society. Contrariwise, Malcolm believed in violence and demonstrations to counter the practices of injustice in the society. Even though the two authors had a common interest in seeking freedom for their people, their approaches are very different and opposing each other in the social organization.
Work Cited
King, Martin Luther, and C. T. Vivian. "Letter from Birmingham jail." (1968).
Marable, Manning. Malcolm X: A life of reinvention. Penguin, 2011.
