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Write a two-page essay of 500 words comparing the civil rights strategies of the following civil rights leaders: 1. Thurgood Marshall when he worked as an attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 3. Malcolm X. Make an argument on which civil rights leader you think had the best strategy to achieve social change in the United States during the early 1960s.

Your essay should have the following paragraphs: 1. An introductory paragraph with a thesis sentence that states which civil rights leader you think had the best strategy to achieve social change in the United States in the 1960s. 2. A paragraph briefly explaining Marshall's strategy. Use a quote from Marshall's speech as evidence. 3. A paragraph briefly explaining King's strategy. Use a quote from King's letter as evidence. 4. A paragraph briefly explaining Malcolm X's strategy. Use a quote from Malcolm X's speech as evidence. 5. A paragraph briefly explaining which leader had the best strategy. Provide evidence from a scholarly source. 6. A concluding paragraph. 7. Works Cited page or Reference page or Bibliography.

Paper For Above Instructions

The civil rights movement in the United States during the early 1960s saw various strategies employed by its prominent leaders, such as Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. Each of these leaders took distinct approaches to advocate for social change, influenced by their backgrounds, education, and philosophical beliefs. Among them, I argue that Thurgood Marshall's legal strategy was the most effective in achieving social change, primarily due to its foundation in constitutional law, which led to critical Supreme Court victories that dismantled institutional racism.

Thurgood Marshall's strategy revolved around using the American legal system to fight for civil rights. As an attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), he believed in the power of the Constitution, particularly the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, to secure justice for African Americans. In a speech delivered during the wartime conference of the NAACP in July 1942, Marshall stated, “We must use the tools of the Constitution, which provides us with the authority to litigate against racial oppression” (Marshall, 1942). This legal approach culminated in landmark cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which effectively overturned the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), declaring that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the other hand, employed a strategy rooted in nonviolent civil disobedience and moral persuasion. King sought to appeal to the American conscience by highlighting the injustices faced by African Americans, orchestrating peaceful protests and marches to draw attention to the plight of the oppressed. In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (1963), he famously argued, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (King, 1963). This letter, penned while he was imprisoned for his protests, served as an eloquent defense of his methods, using moral reasoning to advocate for social change. King's approach galvanized public opinion and garnered support from various societal sectors, influencing legislation and leading to significant advancements in civil rights during the 1960s.

In contrast, Malcolm X's strategy proposed a more militant perspective and advocated for black separatism. Rejecting the idea of integration, he believed that African Americans should fight for their rights "by any means necessary." During his speech at the founding rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity in June 1964, he stated, “You don't get what you deserve, you get what you can negotiate” (Malcolm X, 1964). This statement reflected his belief in self-defense and the need for African Americans to assert their rights vigorously. While his approach resonated with some segments of the African American community who were frustrated by the slow pace of change, it also fostered division and fear among broader American society.

Evaluating the effectiveness of each leader's strategy reveals the complexities of civil rights advocacy. Thurgood Marshall’s legal triumphs laid a crucial foundation for the movement, dismantling institutional barriers and providing a legal framework for future activists. Marshall's focus on the courts was not merely strategic but transformative, as it allowed the civil rights movement to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the American public and the government. On the other hand, King’s nonviolent approach created a widespread moral awakening, leading to substantial legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. If Malcolm X's call for self-defense mobilized a segment of the population, it did not achieve the same unifying effect as the suits and peaceful protests advocated by Marshall and King.

In conclusion, Thurgood Marshall's strategy of utilizing the legal system to challenge and dismantle institutional racism proved to be the most effective in achieving social change in the United States during the early 1960s. His success in landmark cases set the stage for future advancements, complemented by King’s moral and nonviolent protests. While Malcolm X’s heeding to violence and rejection of integration represented a reaction to systemic failures, it did not culminate in the same legislative victories as Marshall's and King's approaches. Together, these leaders highlight the multifaceted struggle for civil rights, yet it is Marshall whose strategic use of the Constitution resulted in the most significant changes that benefited future generations.

References

• King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. In The Papers of Martin Luther King Jr., Vol. 1. University of California Press.
• Marshall, T. (1942). The Legal Attack to Secure Civil Rights. NAACP Conference Speech.
• Malcolm X. (1964). Speech at the Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity.
• Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
• Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896).
• Levy, B. (2012). The Civil Rights Movement: 1950-1970. Social Movements and American Political Institutions.
• Titles, A. (2016). African American Civil Rights: A History of the Struggle. Journal of African American History.
• Williams, J. (2018). Thurgood Marshall: The Fight for Civil Rights. American History Review.
• O'Connor, K., & Sabato, L. J. (2019). American Government: Continuity and Change. Pearson.
• Ferguson, S. (2020). Malcolm X: A Biography. Greenwood.