How does Socrates trial and punishment resemble those of Malcolm X Research Paper - 1

How does Socrates trial and punishment resemble those of Malcolm X Whose journey was more important or more significant - Research Paper Example Both surrendered themselves to the ideas they tried to communicate during their lives. Even if the death of Socrates was the product of legitimate trial and Malcolm X’s assassination was the result of a lynch-law, both punishments were the acts of human stupidity, killing talented leaders and making positive change virtually impossible. Some authors claim that the trial and punishment of Socrates resembles those of Malcolm X. The logic behind the claim is simple: both were prominent leaders and surrendered themselves to the ideas they were trying to communicate during their lives. Socrates lost his life, being confident that â€Å"wherever a man’s place is, whether the place which he has chosen or that in which he has been placed by a commander, there he ought to remain in the hour of danger; he should not think of death or anything but of disgrace† (Plato 9). Malcolm X, in turn, lost his life as a result of his natural striving toward justice and fairness, away from the political manipulation and deception. Those who say that the trial and punishment of Socrates and Malcolm X were similar are partially right. Like Socrates who drew his inspiration from his inner voice and other people, Malcolm X became a prominent civil rights leader and a changed man, because he had inner guts and skills to lead (Phillips 56). The movie Malcolm X tells the story of the young man’s conversion to Islam and exposes the tragedy of assassinating people as talented and spiritually rich as Malcolm X (Lee). Like Socrates, Malcolm X stands out of the crowd and seeks to communicate his message to people. Socrates disregards Athenian Gods but votes for the significance of honor, honesty, fairness, and justice (Plato 9). Malcolm X, in turn, claims that human rights are â€Å"the rights that are recognized by all nations of this earth† (Malcolmx.com). Both men fell victims to their ideas and the striving to improve the lives of thousands. Both stood in front of the crowd