?Thesis The fight for Civil Rights in America has shaped the very nation that we are today. Equality and justice for all was one of the key pillar stones that built this nation yet it has not been freely given to all of this nation’s people. Two of the most influential people in the fight for these rights were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. These two men fought and laid their life on the line for what they believed was right and what they believed all men and women deserve. This essay will compare and contrast the lives of these two men along with analyze two of each of their very prominent speeches that they gave in their lifetime Equality within the United States was the foundation that built this country. It reads on the Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson 1776). These ideals of freedom and liberty were what made this country but sadly these “unalienable rights” were not bestowed upon all people. African Americans in the United States were not seen as whole people up until roughly 1964. During the time leading up to the “equalization” of blacks, the Civil Rights movement was occurring. During this movement two steeple head figures emerged: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. Both activists were supporters of Black civil rights but in different ways. Bio of King King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since birth King was influenced and molded by his faith. His father and grandfather were both pastors and guided King in his religious journey. King grew up in a loving and caring family, one which was acceptant or all races and religions and did not discriminate on class or any other characteristic. Growing up he was a very intellectual boy, enrolling in public school at the age of five. At age 12 his grandmother Jennie died of a heart attack, traumatizing King, leading him to jump out of a two story window attempting suicide. His brightness in the classroom showed during high school where he skipped ninth and eleventh grade and attending Morehouse College at age 15 (Biography.com). Even though his father and family were strong religious advocates, during his younger years, Martin questioned religion. It was not until his Junior year of college when he renewed his faith in religion and set forth on his path to become a minister (biography.com). While in school King was taken under the wing of a friend of his fathers, Reinhold Niebbuhr. Niebbuhr mentored King and challenged his views of theology and faith leading him on his journey and influencing his spiritual development. After his time at Morehouse King was accepted into Boston college where he spent his time acquiring his doctorate. At age 25 he was awarded his Ph.D.. On December 1, 1995 Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery Alabama for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man to sit in the colored section of the bus. On that night King met with other activists of the local NAACP chapter to plan a retaliatory bus boycott. King was chosen to lead the boycott. The boycott lasted 382 days, during which time both King’s and other leading members of the NAACP houses were attacked. Although King was personally attacked the boycott failed in several lower case court rooms, the city of Montgomery lifted the law on public transportation segregation. King would go on to lead many other boycotts such as this as well as peaceful protests and speeches in order to gain equal rights for African Americans. His most notable act may be seen as his “I Have A Dream” speech which he gave after a historic march held in Washington D.C.. In his speech he spoke of equality and his dream that one day people “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King, I have A Dream). Throughout his career as a civil rights leader King always advocated and preached for peaceful protest, to never retaliate with hate and anger but rather with love and compassion. His actions and determination for equality moved many and changed the lives of millions leaving behind a legacy that shaped the very country that the United States is today. Bio of Malcolm Born with the surname of Little, Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. Malcolm had a troubled life as a child. His father , Earl, was a strong supporter of the Black Nationalist Leader, Marcus Garvey. His support for Gaarvey lead to relenting death threats and terrorism from the white supremacy group of the Black Legion. Due to his advocation and relenting attacks from the group the Littles were forced to moved to Lansing, Michigan but the Legion was unrelenting, burning the Little’s house to the ground and ultimately killing Earl two years latter. After such events occurred, Malcolm’s mother was instit