Magneto/Profesor X relation mirrors Malcom X/Martin Luther King???

[SilentProtector]

Short video about the relationship between Malcolm X and MLK.

As I was watching this video, it occurred to me just how similar MLK and Malcolm X's relationship is to Magneto and Profesor X's relationship during X-men First Class.

 

[Silvermoth]

Yeah that's pretty much who the inspiration is for each character.

It's kind of funny because although doctor king is more respected in our world people tend to favour magneto more ideologically these days

 

[MbJ]

It's always been a flawed comparison to be sure because King's take on non-violence and acceptance is not as black and white (no pun intended) as people usually paint it as. While he himself did not believe in violence he is on record saying that he understood those who do turn to violence against their oppressors, and that he had no right to judge them for it. Which seems like a far cry from how Xavier is written usually.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

It's always been a flawed comparison to be sure because King's take on non-violence and acceptance is not as black and white (no pun intended) as people usually paint it as. While he himself did not believe in violence he is on record saying that he understood those who do turn to violence against their oppressors, and that he had no right to judge them for it. Which seems like a far cry from how Xavier is written usually.

Much like Xavier did not believe in violence yet still taught his students to essentially be soldiers.

The comparison is flawed, but not because of what you mentioned. It's flawed because if Malcolm X had the same view as Magneto, his belief would have been that white people would eventually die off because they were the weaker species. Magneto is such an impactful character because he is right. In X-Men, eventually there will be no more humans and mutants are indeed superior. White people aren't evolving into black people and neither race is superior. That's where the metaphor fizzles out.

So in their actions and leadership qualities and even often their words, they can be compared, but not much else.

A comparison that is flawed, but still very relevant.

 

[KevanG]

Xavier wanted peace and equality for all but he was willing to fight for it and mold the next generation into soldiers to keep that dream alive. Not quite what MLK did, although he did his best to mold the minds of people to think all people are equal.

The Magneto comparison is much closer due to the claim of the 'superiority' of a certain group of people over another.