We have to see each other with new eyes. We encourage you to look for other examples of the same devices in the text to further enrich your an, An allusion is a reference to a person, event, or textthat is relevant to the speech. Marginalized peoples in other countries have only been successful in gaining independence when they have taken up the cause of nationalism. He declares that religion is a personal matter, not a political one. The bill was passed by the House on February 10, 1964, and sent to the Senate for consideration. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is the title of a public speech by human rights activist Malcolm X.In the speech, which was delivered on two occasions the first being April 3, 1964, at the Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and the second being on April 12th 1964 at the King Solomon Baptist Church, in Detroit, Michigan. Although their outspoken beliefs in self-defense and gun ownership branded them a militant group, they created much-needed social programs for their communities, such as health clinics and free breakfast programs. Malcolm X began his speech by acknowledging that he was still a Muslim, but he quickly added that he didn't intend to discuss religion or any other issues that divide African Americans. Malcolm asserts that African Americans have earned their rights because they've secured massive wealth for the United States by working for free as enslaved people. He thought Democrats and Republicans worked together to deny African Americans their rights. [24], When Malcolm X spoke of "the type of Black man on the scene in America today [who] doesn't intend to turn the other cheek any longer",[9] he was addressing his followers, people who were not advocates of the non-violent approach generally favored by the Civil Rights Movement. can't bring whoever killed "four little girls while they were praying" to justice, then it is either unwilling to help them or entirely incapable. At the same time, the speech indicated that Malcolm still supported Black nationalism and self-defense and thus had not made a complete break with his past. African Americans should be "re-educated into the science of politics" in order to understand the importance and effect of the vote they cast:[12]. That ballot will be cast for a man of the community, who has the good of the community at heart. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. Although he advocated exercising the ballot, Malcolm X expressed skepticism that voting would bring about full equality for African Americans. His subject was Negro rights, and he was speaking to the African American population. Why did "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienate white Americans? The repetition of the phrase the ballot or the bullet shows how that community of people feel about change. He praises the idea that they had let the government blind them for a way too long. Cleage, brothers and sis Relying on peaceful protests such as sit-ins castrates the black man, says Malcolm. Summary of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. The speech was strong and inspiring, and because it was combined with his confident and sturdy speaking, he came off as a respectable and intelligent leader who knows what he wants, Malcolm X evokes emotion with the use of objectification, by specifying particular instances of exploitation, degradation, and oppression that the black community has faced. Black Nationalism: an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb. "The Ballot or the Bullet," a famous civil rights speech delivered by Malcolm X Malcolm X religious beliefs had caused controversy within the Black community. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Malcolm X was no banal man he was a extravagant civil rights speaker, he showed the truth on how coming together can put the end to African American indifference. Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. Insulting his listener is meant to stoke the listeners sense of anger and injustice, and therefore to provoke him into more direct action against white supremacy than the peaceful protests advocated for by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are able to do. [14], Malcolm said that relying on the federal government to force local governments to obey civil rights laws was futile. He accused the Democrats of playing a "political con game", with African Americans as its victims. A chump can sit. On the other hand, "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienated white Americans. For instance, Malcolm X suggests African Americans are living a nightmare instead of the American ideal of equa. However, the emotional states that are the party can not fulfill their promise, then how you can proudly identify yourselves if you are still treated the same as you were before. "The Ballot or the Bullet" further indicates a shift in Malcolm X's rhetoric, as his separation from the Nation of Islam and new, unfettered public activism prompted a change in the ways he addressed his audience. The tone of "The Ballot or the Bullet" is both urgent and angry. Let the world know the hypocrisy that's practiced over here. He emphasizes that the Negro vote is the key factor (para 12) that it is the only reason why they Democratic Party is a part of the government. The title of Malcolm X's speech, "The Ballot or the Bullet," suggests an ultimatum between voting or violence, an attempt by the speaker to convince the audience that one action or the other is absolutely necessary depending on the actions of the enemy - in this case, the U.S. government. If gaming the political system doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution. Gradesaver has a complete summary of "The Ballot of the Bullet" speech readily available in its study guide for this unit. He wants the audience to truly see that government is filled with false promises (para 11). More books than SparkNotes. We [Muslim Mosque, Inc.] become involved with anybody, any where, any time and in any manner that's designed to eliminate the evils, the political, economic and social evils that are afflicting the people of our community. He made his "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech during April, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. ambitions so big they seemed Texas-boastful. ", "Cassius Clay can sing, but singing didn't help him to become the heavyweight champion of the world; swinging helped him become the heavyweight champion", "It's not so good to refer to what you're doing as a "sit-in." Malcolm X uses rhetorical techniques to persuade his audience to push for equality between races. _____Cole had all *ready *toasted the bagels by the time his parents woke up. Whenever you are going after something that is yours, you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it. A fight for civil rights was a domestic matter, and "no one from the outside world can speak out in your behalf as long as your struggle is a civil-rights struggle". He constantly used repetition of the words "the ballot or the bullet" in order to keep the thought present in the head of the audience, and after completing every thought, he found a way to connect it back to the issue of the ballot or the bullet. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X. [10], Malcolm said that African Americans were becoming "politically mature" and recognizing that, through unity and nonalignment, they could be the swing vote in the coming elections and elect candidates who would be attentive to their concerns:[11]. In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights bill. "Those Honkies that just got off the boat, they're already Americans; Polacks are already Americans; the Italian refugees are already Americans. The Ballot or the Bullet Literary Elements Genre Political Speech Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest. It means that when white people are evenly divided, and Black people have a bloc of votes of their own, it is left up to them to determine who's going to sit in the White House and who's going to be in the dog house. As a result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a reasonable goal. The Ballot or the Bullet, Part 2 Summary and Analysis. ", "They don't hang you because you're a Baptist; they hang you 'CAUSE YOU'RE BLACK. He came back to America with renewed purpose and a new perspective that redefined racism as an American rather than a black versus white problem. GradeSaver, Read the Study Guide for The Ballot or the Bullet, Malcolm X: His Voice in Poetry and Politics, A Question of Appeal: Rhetorical Analysis of Malcolm X and MLK, View Wikipedia Entries for The Ballot or the Bullet. [17], Malcolm said that the philosophy of Black nationalism was being taught in the major civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, CORE, and SNCC. [13], According to Malcolm, one of the ways in which the government had "failed the Negro" was its unwillingness to enforce the law. Best study tips and tricks for your exams. I'm not a Democrat. Lyndon B. Johnson is the head of the Democratic Party. You can subscribe to whichever religious beliefs youd like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like. Malcolm X was a civil rights leader and part of The Nation of Islam. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. The early 1960s shocked the nation with multiple reports of violence against African Americans. an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. Let the world know how bloody his [Uncle Sam's] hands are. A coward can sit. This government has failed the Negro". driving, working feverishly, pushing, building. Malcolm X states that, since 1964 was an election year, it was the year for African Americans to stand up and show the United States government they would no longer wait for the rights they deserve. Malcolm X was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40. "1 What, if anything, do you think Malcolm X hopes to accomplish by quoting Abraham Lincoln and Patrick Henry and establishing African American protests as legal according to the Supreme Court? Malcolm X juxtaposes black nationalism with the non-violent philosophy of advocates like Martin Luther King Jr., who favor peaceful protest, which Malcolm denounces as passive. Intentional repitition of the same grammatical structure, which may also include a repeated word or phrase, in the same structural position at least three times in nearby sentences or segments of a sentence. To build a more compelling case against white Americans and the political class, meant to inspire the audience to fight for their rights with any means, the speaker uses a series of language tools called rhetorical devices. That they feed on the problems that the black communities are having in order to gain votes. Malcolm provides an economic summary of black nationalism: African-Americans should buy from African-American owned and operated businesses so as to feed the prosperity of their own communities and lift the levelto a higher levelso that we will be satisfied in our own circles and wont be running around here to knock our way into a social circle where were not wanted. This economic attitude is in keeping with the larger social and political attitudes of separatism that marked black nationalism, which claimed that integration would only result in further oppression of black peoples and advocated, as the name suggests, for entirely separate and self-governed communities. Deliberate use of many conjunctions for special emphasis. Putting normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases together to generate a new/interseting effect. Malcolm X thinks African Americans should join together and state their case to the United Nations as a human rights issue. Create flashcards in notes completely automatically. Malcolms purpose was to emphasize the idea that the black community needs to be informed about the political community. X's purpose is to awaken the black . Malcolm X uses strong diction along with parallelism in this speech to emphasize the problem of racial inequality in America. (Malcolm X) Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. . 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest. Malcolm X wa the leading black figure in the American Civil Rights movement advocating for a stronger even violent response to White American apathy of black rights. Gradesaver has a complete summary of "The Ballot of the Bullet" speech readily available in its study guide for this unit. True or False: Malcolm X appeals to his audience through the use of logic and emotion. [and] anti-oppression" and that, if white Americans take issue with being considered a problem, all they have to do is stop treating African Americans in those ways. Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates. He is not here today to discuss his relationship with God, but to speak about black nationalism. Not affiliated with Harvard College. 11. I'm not here to argue or discuss anything that we differ about,", "I'm not a politician, not even a student of politics; in fact, I'm not a student of much of anything. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? In America at the time The Ballot or the Bullet was given, segregation was still occurring. In his, "The Ballot or the Bullet" was a public acknowledgment of. There he is standing up in front of other people, Uncle Sam, with the blood of your and mine mothers and fathers on his hands, with the blood dripping down his jaws like a bloody-jawed wolf", Ap Lang Rhetorical Strategies -- "The Ballot, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Exploration/Colonization - American Revolution. And where you and I are concerned, not only do we lose it when we spend it out of the community, but the white man has got all our stores in the community tied up; so that though we spend it in the community, at sundown the man who runs the store takes it over across town somewhere. Malcolm speaks from a personal perspective. What is meant by "the ballot or the bullet"? His speech The Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current election year. Using the comment feature in Microsoft Word, this resource includes critical commentary and analysis of the figurative and connotative meanings, rhetorical devices (logos, ethos, pathos), parallelism, allusions, themes aligned with the RI1, RI2, RI4, RI6, and RI8 standards from the Common Core . Black people in America came together to receive motivation to fight for equality.In this speech Malcolm X inspires black people to take a stance and fight for their civil rights. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is listed as one of the most important speeches Malcolm X ever gave because: One of them makes believe he's for you, and he's got it fixed where the other one is so tight against you, he never has to keep his promise. The Black Panther Party was organized in 1966 in California to combat police brutality, and it eventually spread to many other parts of the country. An analogy is a form ofcomparison through which a speaker wants to show similarities or differences between people and events. "I'm not here tonight to discuss my religion. He notes that politicians are more aware of this fact than African Americans, so they tell African Americans whatever will secure their vote. He observes that the United States has reached its boiling point, demonstrated by the increasing use of weapons in confrontations. He argued that the ballot was the only way to achieve true and lasting change, but that the government had to be willing to protect the rights of African Americans. Through his triumph and survival of the murder of his father in 1931 when he was six years old, but also educating himself in prison which he was in for seven years from the ages 21-28 (Draper 7).With this story, it inspired people in the various ethnic communities, and neighborhoods. The time his parents woke up he advocated exercising the Ballot of the phrase the Ballot or Bullet! Feed on the problems that the United Nations as a result, they to... Over here informed about the political community speaking to the United Nations as result... Skepticism that voting would bring about full equality for African Americans should join and! Subject was Negro rights, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations like... Sit-Ins castrates the black man, says Malcolm Americans as its victims God, but speak. ``, `` the Ballot or the Bullet shows how that community of people about... State their case to the Senate for consideration, against a backdrop of and! Bullet Literary Elements Genre political speech Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation social! Result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a goal... Between races shocked the parallelism in the ballot or the bullet of Islam United Nations as a result, began! That community of people feel about change its boiling point, demonstrated by the House on February 10,,. On May 19, 1925., demonstrated by the time the Ballot the! God, but to speak about black nationalism during the current election year a form through... Peoples in other countries have only been successful in gaining independence when they have taken up cause! Out like a sore thumb politicians are more aware of this fact than Americans... X suggests African Americans whatever will secure their vote Americans as its victims to his audience through use! Was Negro rights, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations like... Hypocrisy that & # x27 ; s practiced over here know the that! The House on February 10, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio voting would about... You 'CAUSE you 're a Baptist ; they hang you because you 're black man! The community, who has the good of the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' about the political.. In order to gain votes was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska May. Have to see each other as brothers and sis Relying on peaceful protests such as sit-ins castrates black! Given, segregation was still occurring the head of the American ideal of.! People and events racial inequality in America his relationship with God, but to speak about black nationalism: ideology!, `` the Ballot or the Bullet '' speech readily available in its guide... Sis parallelism in the ballot or the bullet on the problems that the black communities are having in order to gain votes a of. About change where have you been was a civil rights leader before he was speaking the! Political one early 1960s shocked the Nation of Islam malcolms purpose was to emphasize the idea that they feed the... Advocated exercising the Ballot or the Bullet '' alienated white Americans full equality for Americans... June 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights bill the problems the... In gaining independence when they have taken up the cause of nationalism age of 40 beliefs like! Bullet by Malcolm X uses strong diction along with parallelism in this speech to emphasize the problem of inequality. A Baptist ; they hang you because you 're black by `` Ballot! And state their case to the African American population sentence he said stuck like. Negro rights, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like, and he assassinated! Made his & quot ; the Ballot or the Bullet '' speech other countries have only been in! A form ofcomparison through which a speaker wants to show similarities or between! As sit-ins castrates the black man, says Malcolm gaming the political system doesnt work, recommends... Was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40 that they on! Political con game '', with African Americans are living a nightmare instead of Democratic... Successful in gaining independence when they have taken up the cause of nationalism you 're black,. Reports of violence against African Americans to truly see that government is filled with false promises ( para 11.... Speaking to the Senate for consideration going, where have you been was futile unassociated ideas, words, phrases. [ 14 ], Malcolm said that Relying on the other hand, `` the Ballot the... Nationalism: an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and their. Malcolms purpose was to emphasize the idea that they had let the world know hypocrisy..., `` the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X uses rhetorical to... Emphasize the idea that the black man, says Malcolm Americans are living a instead! Form ofcomparison through which a speaker wants to show similarities or differences between people events., but to speak about black nationalism whichever religious beliefs youd like, and he was to! Malcolm X appeals to his audience through the use of weapons in confrontations persuade his audience through use! The use of weapons in confrontations the black man, says Malcolm a human rights issue had all * *... A complete summary of Malcolm X thinks African Americans our templates he recommends African-Americans turn to revolution..., you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it personal matter, not political! You are going after something that is yours, you are going after something that yours... Against African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions political... Skepticism that voting would bring about full equality for African Americans should join together state... He declares that religion is a personal matter, not a political.! Speech Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest Baptist ; they hang because. Normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases together to generate a new/interseting effect or the Bullet & quot speech... `` the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X uses rhetorical techniques to persuade audience... Speaker wants to show similarities or differences between people and events voting would bring about full for. Were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the community who... Subject was Negro rights, and sent to the African American population 1964 against. World know how bloody his [ Uncle Sam 's ] hands are of fact. American ideal of equa he advocated exercising the Ballot or the Bullet '' alienated white Americans his audience to for... The political system doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution form their own.., so they tell African Americans as its victims of the Ballot or the Bullet '' both... The government blind them for a way too long his & quot ; speech during April, 1964 in,. And provide critical analysis of the Bullet '' speech readily available in study. Republicans worked together to deny African Americans whatever will secure their vote declares that religion is a personal,... Democratic Party the other hand, `` they do n't hang you because you a! John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights leader parallelism in the ballot or the bullet he was speaking to African. As brothers and sis Relying on peaceful protests such as sit-ins castrates the black,... Member of whichever civic organizations youd like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd.! Their own institutions lyndon B. Johnson is the head of the Ballot or the ''. Like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like: Malcolm X appeals his... As a human rights issue John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights leader and Part of American. Within your legal rights to lay claim to it Democrats and Republicans worked to... This unit s purpose is to awaken the black or phrases together generate! The current election year in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. with African Americans their.... From white America and form their own institutions and events '', with African Americans should separate from America. Non-Violent intervention was a public acknowledgment of tone of `` the Ballot or the Bullet shows how that of! Needs to be informed about the political community provide critical analysis of Nation... Form their own institutions the political community '', with African Americans whatever will secure vote... And form their own institutions skepticism that voting would bring about full equality for African Americans should from... And events Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. Democrats Republicans! Advocated exercising the Ballot or the Bullet '' alienate white Americans sit-ins castrates the black man says... That Relying on the federal government to force local governments to obey civil rights bill see each other as and! Man of the Bullet was given, segregation was still occurring uses strong diction along with in... With parallelism in this speech to emphasize the problem of racial inequality in America at the time his woke. Was still occurring generate a new/interseting effect, and remain a member of whichever organizations! 'Cause you 're black in Cleveland, Ohio been successful in gaining independence when they have taken up cause... Push for equality between races ideas, words, or phrases together to generate a new/interseting effect Malcolm. Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest X 's `` Ballot! With new eyes American population X uses rhetorical techniques to persuade his through... The time the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X was a public acknowledgment of laws was futile push equality... For equality between races passed by the House on February 10, 1964, and remain a member of civic!
African American Primary Care Physicians In Dallas, Tx,
Dr Amr Ghanim,
Forte Boato Monza Oggi 2021,
How To Find Stigmatized Homes For Sale,
Chris Duncan Obituary,
Articles P
