Both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, in the three selected speeches (two by King and one by Malcolm X), sought to advance the civil and legal rights and the socioeconomic status of blacks in the United States. However, aside from that general similarity, there are far more differences between the two in terms of themes, methods and specific goals.
The greatest difference is King's basic assumption that integration is desirable and Malcolm X's refusal to accept that assumption. King seeks a way to fit blacks into a political, cultural and socioeconomic system which he wants reformed so that blacks will receive fair and just treatment. Malcolm X, on the other hand, begins his argument from the standpoint that it is not up to blacks to figure out a way to fit into an oppressive system, but is rather up to the white-run system to stop oppressing blacks. From that fundamental difference, further contrasts of themes, methods and goals flow.
King begins his "I Have a Dream" address by setting out the failures of the American system to live up to its promises of equality with respect to blacks. It would be a mistake to ignore the fact that King recognizes fully the forces at work under the surface of society, forces which could explode if justice is not granted to blacks:
Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges (King "Dream").
However, such an apparent warning is not the heart of King's message. In fact, even as he is delivering such a dark caution, there is a sense that he loathes having to bring it up. The heart of King's message is clearly a plea to whites to live up to the promises that ...