"The Whole Story": The Tales of Water and Fire (Part One)

The Tales of Water and Fire 

This same concept of being, to some extent, self-centered is what allowed for great people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to achieve the work that they did. They did this in the presence of criticism, primarily for either being too passive (water) or too aggressive (fire) in one regard or another. 

• The Water: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

 Let’s take Martin Luther King, for example. He took part in many different activist campaigns and events from the bus boycotts in Birmingham to the march in Selma (“Martin Luther King Jr.”). All the while, along with physical harm, Dr. King attracted a lot of disdain, as evident by the 1966 Gallup poll. The results showed that he was unfavored by almost 66% of the population, which was a 26% increase from the ratings in 1963 (“Most Americans Didn't Approve of Martin Luther King Jr. before His Death.”). This meaning that, in King’s efforts to bring about a positive change for the minorities who were disadvantaged, a majority of the nation was not on his side, with the exception of the minorities. It must also be noted this exception is a moot point because the minorities also had their own qualms with King themselves.  

One major example would be the response to the March on Washington. To be even more specific, leaders in the black community such as the N.O.I’s Malcolm X and SNCC’s Stokley Carmichael dubbed this campaign as “’The Farce on Washington’” and “”only a sanitized, middle-class version of the real black movement.”” (“The National Archives Learning Curve: Heroes & Villains: King & Civil Rights: March on Washington.”). The key point of interest to take away from this criticism is that, despite being among the general group fighting for the same cause, there was still disagreement to the point that King’s contemporaries referred to his efforts as a reduction in some way or fashion.  This where the concept of selective focusing comes into play. While Malcolm and Carmichael spoke in low regard to how the march was executed as a reduction of a real movement or the black movement, there was a neglect of focus on the good things that it brought about like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the momentum to further sustain the civil rights movement. Therefore, this supports the point that one must focus on themselves as it is noted that the society, whether a section or in general, will have its reluctance and disapprobation in succeeding in one’s endeavors. 

While the 66% disapproval rating indicates the lack of support King had at one point, there was a large shift in the opposite direction after his death. For example, as of January 18, 2019, King has a 90% favorability rating of the general U.S public, 98% among the black community, and 87% among white people (“A 90% Favorability Rating for Martin Luther King Jr. on His 90th Birthday.”). To even further support this claim, despite hesitance on his efforts at the time and in the immediate reaction, 76% of Americans believed King’s message was ideal for the time, 6% believed it was too forceful, 11% believed it was not forceful enough (24% among African-Americans) (“A 90% Favorability Rating for Martin Luther King Jr. on His 90th Birthday.”). The reason why this specific data is important is because this is indicative of temporary disapproval. Of course, there were a lot of reasons that evoked this action such as the failure of a particular campaign or protest, or the fact that certain civil right groups weren’t consulted or asked to partake in the event, or the fact that the efforts were effective in gaining attention (regardless of which kind). However, it was positive occurrences like Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which influence the instruments of influence towards King. Furthermore, this is even more evidence that one must intact and place focus on one’s self instead of taking having consideration in what the world has to say and think. 

• The Fire: Malcolm “X” Little 

Another example, perhaps in another way, would be Malcolm X. Even though he hasn’t involved in as many notable campaigns and marches as Dr. King, he did impart a critical idea to the people of the black community known as Black Separatism. This entailed going in the opposite direction of the civil rights movement and integration with the proposition of the African-Americans having their own nation and society separate from the United States (“Malcolm X Remembered Favorably by Blacks but Not by Whites.”). Along with this ideal was “...by any means necessary...” speech at the founding rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Perhaps justifiably so, this was unpopular among the United States as the message, in some sense, promoted the idea of African-Americans having their own society and using any approach (violent or peaceful) to gain equality. This disapproval is evident by polls conducted by YouGov which display 34% unfavorable rating of the general American republic (“Malcolm X Remembered Favorably by Blacks but Not by Whites.”). 

However, there was a greater overall concept which was derived from this oration. This came when he stated, “That’s our motto. We want freedom by any means necessary. We want justice by any means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary...we don’t think that we should have to sit around and wait for some segregationist congressmen and senators and a President...” (“(1964) Malcolm X's Speech at the Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity • BlackPast.”). The main point of interest lies in “sit around and wait”; this is important because Malcolm promotes the idea of the black community being active and creating their own solutions to the problems that existed. This is where, to some degree, the U.S society is charged for committing selective focus.  

There is no ignoring separating the African-Americans from the U.S in their own nation and potentially using violent methods to attain means. However, it must not be overlooked that this notion of African-Americans being active is what fueled the civil rights movement and the black community even to this very day. This is evident by the increase in number of black officials running for and being elected into office like Barack Obama, more black business moguls like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, and more black people with influence on the media like Oprah Winfrey and Steve Harvey. The essential takeaway from Malcolm X as an example is that, like Dr. King, he was not favored by the masses. However, he continued with his efforts and messages, which ultimately had an influence on the black community and the U.S society as a whole. Therefore, the trajectory of Malcolm X and his influence also supports the point about there being benefit to holding the regard of the community to a minimum.