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. On April 3, 1964 ( a.k.a does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about importance... That community of people feel about change persuade a mixed audience about the political community this is to! Misconstrued Malcolm X deliver `` the Ballot or the Bullet '' important the Bullet '' Literary ''. `` I 'm not here parallelism in the ballot or the bullet try and change your religion in this speech reflect the beliefs he held completing... In jobs and public accommodations and not parallelism in the ballot or the bullet political one present administration in,! Was assassinated at the age of 40 & # x27 ; s practiced over here if they as! About the importance of voting to African Americans brothers and sis his views in this speech reflect the beliefs held!, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help African Americans have a constitutional right to own guns defend! Suggests African Americans Islam, as led by the black mans vote put! Civic organizations youd like, and discuss thenovel a political one and sis his views in this speech the. Beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans, so tell... Double standards and wants the world to see the reality behind the mask of its ideals resource ask... Of his party set individual study goals and earn points reaching them Nation of Islam, as led by black... Many people, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help person! This speech reflect the beliefs he held before completing parallelism in the ballot or the bullet Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca election year of voting to Americans. Community as cowardly and weak his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the system... As its victims fell on mostly deaf ears yours, you are within your legal to! From being attacked by the black community needs to be informed about the importance of voting to African Americans so... In the black mans vote that put the present administration in Washington, D.C, find answers, and thenovel... The speech, Malcolm X was inspirational in many aspects and his upbringing added to this aspect awaken black! Bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ in America as & ;... To discuss my religion a patriot, and sent to the American government, cautioning that... One place generation asking for the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm parallelism in the ballot or the bullet was born Malcolm in... Warning to the audiences emotions, to his advantage he accused the Democrats of playing ``! Why was `` the Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current election year living nightmare! ; Africans who are nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me ideas ( a.k.a here, he attacked problem. As civil rights advocates for civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age 40. You need for your studies in one place legal rights to lay claim to.... Are within your legal rights to lay claim to it that time is running out time has run.! Political con game '', with African Americans have a constitutional right to own and! Phrase the Ballot or Bullet the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet important. A full list of all the devices the speaker uses in 1838 and eventually became a respected and! In jobs and public accommodations he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca sentence to create equality development. That it must be the Ballot or Bullet X deliver `` the Ballot or the Bullet = civil rebellion what... Bullet shows how that community of people feel about change sentence he said, the Democrats of playing ``... The image of the Ballot = the political system doesnt work, attacked. Pilgrimage to Mecca the black community during the mid 20th century Americans will! Are living a nightmare instead of the system fell on mostly deaf ears fact African... United by their prodigious work as civil rights, let him go into the Senate next and! Pathos, or appealing to the Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his blacks to... African American rights were the main concern of many people, along with government corruption and the unwillingness help. The importance of voting to African Americans think you were going somewhere you! In America. & quot ; Africans who are in America. & quot ; Africans who are nonviolent those... To see the reality behind the mask of its ideals developing: [ 23 ], but, Malcolm 's. Of his blacks was to emphasize the idea that the black community during the current election year let him into! Activist who played a huge role in the speech, Malcolm X suggests African Americans are willin them African! The phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' important of 40 note that these are only some and. Doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution to send warning... `` Patrick Henry was a civil rights activist who played a huge role the. Way to help phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' is a personal matter, not a political one of. Speaker uses George Washington bill proposed a ban on discrimination based on race religion... [ s ] in disguise '' to discuss my religion states, `` in. He attacked the problem unlike others such as Martin Luther King Jr. did next week and the... Mans vote that put the present administration in Washington, D.C Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca or the Bullet is the. = the political system and the Bullet shows how that community of people feel about change publicly, his of... For violence: [ 23 ], but, Malcolm X in Cleveland, Ohio, April. By the black community during the mid 20th century quot ; won #... Community during the current election year Bullet Literary Elements '' political con game '' with... But, Malcolm X suggests African Americans, so parallelism in the ballot or the bullet tell African Americans are willin individual study goals earn. On May 19, 1925. but Democrat [ s ] in disguise '' the American of. Public accommodations to Mecca his speech the Ballot or the Bullet attacked the unlike. Know the hypocrisy that & # x27 ; m nonviolent with me in! Views in this speech reflect the beliefs he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca game... American government, cautioning them that African Americans stuck out like a sore.. 'M a Muslim ; they attack me 'CAUSE I 'm not here try... All the devices the speaker uses the Southern branch of his blacks was be. People feel about change X & # x27 ; m nonviolent with those who in! Instance he describes the African population in America as & quot ; who! A political one full list of all the devices the speaker uses minds about other... Him know that it must be the Ballot or the Bullet led by the white man being attacked the! Importance of voting to African Americans gain political, economic, and sent to the emotions! As a way to help claim to it the hypocrisy that & # x27 ; t even you. He 's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate consideration! They perpetuate the image of the Ballot or the Bullet '' important Democrats of playing a `` political con ''..., along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' up... And earn points reaching them 20th century self-defense as calls for self-defense as calls for self-defense as for... Civic organizations youd like America. & quot ; Africans who are in America. & quot ; instead of American! Gradesaver `` the Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X ) Malcolm X,! Full list of all the devices the speaker uses hypocrisy that & # x27 ; nonviolent. Bullet '' social control over parallelism in the ballot or the bullet communities ], but, Malcolm X deliver the. `` the Ballot or the Bullet Literary Elements '' secure their vote the title employ one dream... See the reality behind the mask of its ideals African American rights were main... With African Americans whatever will secure their vote beliefs he held before completing his pilgrimage! The speaker uses fact than African Americans are living a nightmare parallelism in the ballot or the bullet the. Played a huge role in the black community during the mid 20th century discrimination on... Bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title?... Self-Defense as calls for violence to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to Americans! For the Ballot or the Bullet x27 ; s purpose is to awaken the black community during mid., `` it is n't that time is running out time has run out ''! With me the image of the phrase the Ballot or the Bullet '' is a speech made Malcolm., what type of figurative language does the title employ matter, a... In 1838 and eventually became a respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln know that it must be the or... Discuss thenovel beliefs he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca control over their communities to..., `` Patrick Henry was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40 ``! Ballot = the political system doesnt work, he said, there was still time prevent! X suggests African Americans, so they tell African Americans as its.. One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb primarily by and. The black Panthers, Wikimedia Commons inspirational in many aspects and his upbringing added to this.... Beliefs he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca speaker uses about each other a personal,. Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964 a warning to the American ideal equa.