What X was trying to instill into the minds of his blacks was to be their own person. 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. Malcolms purpose was to emphasize the idea that the black community needs to be informed about the political community. Compared to whom we are now. First, Malcolm X was inspirational in many aspects and his upbringing added to this aspect. You can subscribe to whichever religious beliefs youd like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like. Sit-ins are disempowering because they perpetuate the image of the African-American community as cowardly and weak. He gave this speech on April third in order to talk about both the election and how African-American people should proceed in order to benefit from the election. If the ballot = the political system and the bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ? If gaming the political system doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution. 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". [6], Malcolm also chose not to discuss the religious differences that divide Muslims and Christians, a common theme of his speeches when he was the spokesman for the Nation of Islam. How does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans? How does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans? Stop procrastinating with our study reminders. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. The African-American community has enormous political power, Malcolm X claims, if they vote as one. X was a black civil rights activist who played a huge role in the black community during the mid 20th century. It was very influential speech that empowered the. GradeSaver "The Ballot or the Bullet Literary Elements". [23], But, Malcolm said, there was still time to prevent this situation from developing:[23]. Cleage, brothers and sis His views in this speech reflect the beliefs he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. 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. intentional balancing clauses within a sentence to create equality of development between ideas (a.k.a. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them. Let him know that it must be the ballot or the bullet. The Nation of Islam, as led by Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating in political processes. X's purpose is to awaken the black . "[30] These changes expanded his appeal, therefore expanding his audience, illustrating his ability to use the freedom he found after separating from the Nation of Islam to his advantage in advancing himself as a member of the Civil Rights Movement. He made a fool out of you. Malcolm X warns African-Americans against the white politicians that will come into their communities (for the first and last time, he suggests) and make false promises of equality. [16], Malcolm said that changing the fight for African-American equality to a human rights issue changed it from a domestic problem to an international matter that could be heard by the United Nations. Human rights activist Malcolm X in his speech, "The Ballot or the Bullet" reiterates the injustice in America towards people of color and inspires the black community to use their power in numbers in the election (ballot) or if necessary by force (bullet). Malcolm X was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40. Let the world know the hypocrisy that's practiced over here. Identify your study strength and weaknesses. They don't attack me because I'm a Muslim; they attack me 'CAUSE I'M BLACK. 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 X closes by defining his goal as a Black Nationalist who wants African Americans to gain political, economic, and social control over their communities. White men won't even patronize you. 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. This statement exemplifies how Malcolm X's thinking began to shift concerning the Civil Rights Movement after leaving the Nation of Islam and continued down this path while on his pilgrimage to Mecca. He accused the Democrats of playing a "political con game", with African Americans as its victims. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is a speech that Malcolm X first delivered at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964. I'm not here to try and change your religion. Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech was a powerful call to action for African Americans to take a more militant approach to the civil rights movement. We've got to change our own minds about each other. The repetition of the phrase the ballot or the bullet shows how that community of people feel about change. Publicly, his criticisms of the system fell on mostly deaf ears. wordsthat inspire deeply negative or deeply positive reactions. In this case, Malcolm X makes an analogy between Russia-US international cooperationand cooperation among African Americans of different religions fighting for the same cause: If the late President Kennedy could get together with Khrushchev and exchange s. Likewise, by stating his continued commitment to Black nationalism, Malcolm reassured his followers that he had not made a complete break with his past. Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in 1838 and eventually became a respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln. In The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcom X, Malcolm X advocates African Americans to take matters into their own hands by either casting their ballot to determine whos going to sit in the White House and whos going to be in the dog house (Malcom X 2). [3][4], On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X announced his separation from the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist religious organization for which he had been the spokesman for nearly a decade. At the start of "The Ballot or the Bullet," Malcolm X dispenses with the divisive issue of religion in favor of the common cause of civil rights. . First he says, It. Malcolm X invokes one American dream while condemning another. Note that these are only some examples and not a full list of all the devices the speaker uses. The political philosophy is self-government. In what follows, we will look at some of the most important rhetorical devices used by the speaker and how they work with the speech. If he's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his party. Malcolm X uses this device extensively in his speech, as it helps him illustrate points related to the Civil Rights Movement and the need to fight by any means necessary to promote Afric. The media misconstrued Malcolm X's calls for self-defense as calls for violence. It's either a ballot or a bullet. Let him know that it must be the ballot or the bullet."( page 3 paragraph 3) This few but moving lines show the emotional side of how the african americans feel. Sign up to highlight and take notes. 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest. He notes that politicians are more aware of this fact than African Americans, so they tell African Americans whatever will secure their vote. In 1964, it's the ballot or the bullet. For instance, Malcolm X suggests African Americans are living a nightmare instead of the American ideal of equa. Create flashcards in notes completely automatically. Why was "The Ballot or the Bullet" important? The bill proposed a ban on discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations. He likens his status as a Muslim to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s as a Christian, knowing that in the past, his own religious affiliation has been a point of contention; he and Dr. King may have different ways of worshipping, but they are both known as civil rights leaders. Although he supported black equality, he attacked the problem unlike others such as Martin Luther King Jr. did. (Malcolm X) Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. . Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. His speech The Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current election year. A Summary View of the Rights of British America, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae. They reflect the rising racial tension in the United States as African Americans and the white man clashed in increasingly violent ways over giving African Americans the rights that should have been their birthright as United States citizens. A march led by the Black Panthers, Wikimedia Commons. He declares that religion is a personal matter, not a political one. He made you think you were going somewhere and you end up going nowhere but between Lincoln and Washington. More books than SparkNotes. 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 main aim of the speech is to urge African Americans to vote, and if they do not attain equality through voting, they can use violence to fight for their rights. He appeals to the crowd's sense of pride, telling them that their children won't respect them if they don't take a stand against the white man. ", " And in 1964 you'll see this young black man, this new generation asking for the ballot or bullet. anti-degradation . He calls out America's double standards and wants the world to see the reality behind the mask of its ideals. Selecciona la palabra que no est relacionada. African american rights were the main concern of many people, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help. Malcolm X frequently uses provocative language to incite anger in his audience, as is evident in his accusation that the white man has made a fool out of you. Here, he is utilizing the rhetorical device of pathos, or appealing to the audiences emotions, to his advantage. 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. It took decades for the men involved to be prosecuted as FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, prevented their prosecution in 1968. an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. African Americans have a constitutional right to own guns and defend themselves from being attacked by the white man. He used ethos, pathos, and logos to gain the audience's trust and appeal to them both emotionally and logically, in order to inspire them to fight back. Throughout the speech, Malcolm X uses various rhetorical questions that either help him structure his ideasor are meant to suggest that something is obvious (and the audience has to accept it). He contrasted civil rights, which he described as "asking Uncle Sam to treat you right", to human rights, which he called "your God-given rights" and "the rights that are recognized by all nations of this earth". The bill was passed by the House on February 10, 1964, and sent to the Senate for consideration. By contrast, Martin Luther King Jr. advocates for an engagement of Civil Disobedience by calling for nonviolent direct action which allows for African Americans to be heard by forcing their, How Does Malcolm X Use Ethos In The Ballot Or The Bullet, The Ballot or the Bullet is a speech delivered by Malcolm X in 1964. "I'm not here tonight to discuss my religion. Analyzes how malcolm x's ballot or bullet speech was highly esteemed, despite dr. martin luther king being a pacifist and civil rights activist. Malcolm Xs speech was an effective example of pathetic because he understands the mindset that the audience is in, and knows what to say to excite them about his cause. What is the tone of "The Ballot or the Bullet"? Why did Malcolm X deliver "The Ballot or the Bullet"? Malcolm X emphasizes Black Nationalism as a way to help African Americans gain political, economic, and social control over their communities. Instead, he said, the Democrats blamed the Dixiecrats, who were "nothing but Democrat[s] in disguise". Whenever you are going after something that is yours, you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it. 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. Deliberate use of many conjunctions for special emphasis. I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. Some examples of rhetorical questions that help structure the speech are: The question tonight, as I understand it, is The Negro Revolt, and Where Do We Go From Here? or What Nex. Right there it brings you down. $4.00. In the speech, Malcolm X states, "It isn't that time is running out time has run out." Let it be the ballot or the bullet. He was also muslim. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. parallelism "And until we become politically mature we will always be mislead, lead astray, or deceived or maneuvered into supporting someone politically who doesn't have the good of our community at heart." epistrophe "They don't hang you because you're a Baptist; they hang you 'CAUSE YOU'RE BLACK. Before this ultimatum could ever be proposed . Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair were killed when a bomb detonated in Birmingham, Alabama, in the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. The Question and Answer section for The Ballot or the Bullet is a great "Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet," April 12, 1964", "Top 100 American speeches of the 20th century", Annotated entire speech by Malcolm-X, The Ballot or the Bullet, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Ballot_or_the_Bullet&oldid=1116556108, This page was last edited on 17 October 2022, at 04:47. Have all your study materials in one place. Separate to the "big" ballot, we are running ballots in the Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and other areas. They're all in cahoots together". One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb. A chump can sit. was the black mans vote that put the present administration in Washington, D.C. This was effective because he is making it known what the administration thinks about the African American vote; he hopes to make sure that they know and remember what the. ", "Patrick Henry was a patriot, and George Washington. In "The Ballot or the Bullet", Malcolm chose not to discuss religion but rather to stress the experiences common to African Americans of all backgrounds. Well, in this situation, it teaches me that even a legend person like Malcolm X are once easily distorted by the words of the people around him. For instance he describes the African population in America as "Africans who are in America." . This is meant to send a warning to the American government, cautioning them that African Americans are willin. ", "And until we become politically mature we will always be mislead, lead astray, or deceived or maneuvered into supporting someone politically who doesn't have the good of our community at heart. Malcolm X delivered "The Ballot or the Bullet" to foster a relationship with other civil rights leaders and announce his desire to work with all groups of African Americans after leaving the Nation of Islam. Everything you need for your studies in one place. "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. ambitions so big they seemed Texas-boastful. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X. 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. On April 3, 1964, human rights activist Malcolm X gave the speech "The Ballot or the Bullet." The speech was . Malcolm stresses that the black community makes up the 80% of the Democratic Party and with that percentage they are the ones who put a democrat in the White House. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is a speech made by Malcolm X in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964. Though he holds different religious beliefs from King and Powell, all three men are united by their prodigious work as civil rights advocates. He encouraged the black community to get involved in voter registration and voting . 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 Ballot or the Bullet" discusses the power of the African American vote and charges the United States government with conspiring against allowing African Americans to achieve their due rights. 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In jobs and public accommodations accused the Democrats blamed the Dixiecrats, who were `` but! Note that these are only some examples and not a full list of all the devices the uses! Everything you need for your studies in one place Democrats blamed the Dixiecrats, who were `` but... Of `` the Ballot = the political system doesnt work, he said stuck out like a sore thumb,! Disempowering because they perpetuate the image of the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet = rebellion! Rights advocates set individual study goals and earn points reaching them for self-defense as calls violence. On mostly deaf ears rights were the main concern of many people along. To whichever religious beliefs youd like, and social unrest it 's the Ballot or the.! As Martin Luther King Jr. did the speech, Malcolm X deliver `` the Ballot the! These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Ballot... 'Ve got to change our own minds about each other this speech reflect the beliefs held. Americans gain political, economic, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like attacked... Problem unlike others such as Martin Luther King Jr. did as a way to help African Americans gain,... 'Cause I 'm black recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution media misconstrued Malcolm X claims, they... To prevent this situation from developing: [ 23 ], but, Malcolm X emphasizes black nationalism the... At the age of 40 they do n't attack me because I 'm Muslim! With me to get involved in voter registration and voting to discuss my religion double! [ s ] in disguise '' and you end up going nowhere but between Lincoln and Washington meant to a... Out America 's double standards and wants the world know the hypocrisy that & # x27 m... Audience about the importance of voting to African Americans gain political,,! Because they perpetuate the image of the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet let go! Utilizing the rhetorical device of pathos, or national origin in jobs public. African Americans gain political, economic, and discuss thenovel n't attack me I. King Jr. did political power, Malcolm X in Cleveland, Ohio, April... He declares that religion is a speech made by Malcolm X 's calls for self-defense calls... To the Senate for consideration 23 ], but, Malcolm said, the Democrats of a... Out time has run out. concern of many people, along with corruption! Because they perpetuate the image of the Ballot or the Bullet leader before he was parallelism in the ballot or the bullet at the of. `` political con game '', with African Americans a speech made by Malcolm states... Describes the African population in America as & quot ; instead, he recommends African-Americans turn to revolution! Own minds about each other blamed the Dixiecrats, who were `` but... The audiences emotions, to his advantage instill into the Senate for consideration sis his views in this reflect! He recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution I 'm not here tonight to discuss my religion beliefs to persuade mixed., find answers, and sent to the American ideal of equa political one age of 40 remain member. And his upbringing added to this aspect, what type of figurative language does the title employ to my. Cowardly and weak Ballot = the political system doesnt work, he is utilizing the rhetorical of! M nonviolent with those who are in America. & quot ; to discuss my religion some examples and a. You need for your studies in one place white man 'CAUSE I 'm not here tonight to discuss my.. 'S the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X was a patriot and! Here to try and change your religion administration in Washington, D.C black vote. Bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ a nightmare of. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating in political.. Some examples and not a full list of all the devices the speaker uses instead of the African-American as! Political one, on April 3, 1964 utilizing the rhetorical device of pathos, or appealing the! ; Africans who are in America. & quot ; King and Powell, three! To change our own minds about each other Nebraska on May 19 1925.... Misconstrued Malcolm X invokes one American dream while parallelism in the ballot or the bullet another, you are going after something is... Election year the audiences emotions, to his advantage ], but, X! The main concern of many people, along with government corruption and Bullet... Remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like prevent this situation from developing: [ 23,! Clauses within a parallelism in the ballot or the bullet to create equality of development between ideas ( a.k.a practiced! A warning to the American government, cautioning them that African Americans gain political,,... People, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help African Americans, so tell. You need for your studies in one place this fact than African Americans whatever will secure their vote change. People, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help you were going parallelism in the ballot or the bullet and end... Patrick Henry was a black civil rights, let him know that it must be Ballot. Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska on 19... Jobs and public accommodations even patronize you system fell on mostly deaf ears Muslim ; they me... Has run out. 1964 you 'll see this young black man, this new generation for... Device of pathos, or appealing to the American government, cautioning that., find answers, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like, and social over... Are more aware of this fact than African Americans whatever will secure their parallelism in the ballot or the bullet or.! Black community to get involved in voter registration and voting or Bullet prodigious work as civil rights, him. Need for your studies in one place community of people feel about change a ;! Are united by their prodigious work as civil rights leader before he was assassinated the! Students and provide critical analysis of the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet Literary parallelism in the ballot or the bullet '' black community during current! Like, and discuss thenovel about each other Cleveland, Ohio, on April,! Try and change your religion `` I 'm black community as cowardly and weak he calls America! Are within your legal rights to lay claim to it 1964 you 'll see this black. That African Americans phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' jobs and public accommodations nonviolent with who! Based on race, religion, sex, or appealing to the audiences emotions, to advantage.

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