Chapter 9: Two Roads to Freedom Summary and Analysis

Chapter 9 begins Cone's analysis of the two thinkers' similarities and differences. They did not associate, largely because of King's desire not to be tainted by Malcolm's bad reputation. However, they fought for the same goal, the liberation of black people. This was their common goal, but they had different means of achieving it. Cone believes that King's strategy worked best in the South, Malcolm in the North, King for Christians, Malcolm X for those alienated from Christianity. However, Cone believes both had flaws in their strategies. King simply never understood the degree of black oppression and alienation due to his middle-class background. He could not understand the black ghetto in the same way that Malcolm X could. Malcolm X's power came from African heritage, not Christianity. He believed in self-confidence. Malcolm understood that...