Many leaders emerged during the era of the Civil Rights Movement, attracting America's attention. The most well-known leaders were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. In this discussion, the lives and accomplishments 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 it. And although their visions for the future of African Americans differed greatly, their approaches remained very effective. King used the non-violent approach while Malcolm X insisted on using the fierce approach. However, both are legendary men, but to this day they are considered two of the great American icons. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of Rev. Michael King Sr. and Alberta King. King was originally named Michael King Jr. in honor of his father, who later changed his name to honor Martin Luther the Reformer. 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 were not even allowed to drink from the same fountains as white children. All around him, African Americans in the South suffered humiliating injustices at the hands of whites. These early childhood experiences led the young King to his passionate fight for equality, where he became perhaps the most well-known individual in future campaigns for the rights of African Americans. During his final semester at Morehouse College, King was ordained as a Baptist minister at Ebene...... middle of article ......essay/biography/historical-persons/martin-luther-king -jr-and -malcolm-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-malcolm-x/. Last accessed March 9, 2014. The Henry Ford. (2002). The story behind the bus. Available: http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/rosaparks/story.asp. Last seen on March 9 2014.