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. 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. 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. driving, working feverishly, pushing, building. Rhetorical Analysis Of The Ballot Or The Bullet. 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. The white politicians would come into black neighborhoods and push, press, and force it upon blacks to put them in office. 5- Parallelism: Wrapping Up. [15], The proper solution, Malcolm X said, was to elevate the struggle of African Americans from one of civil rights to one of human rights. True. The Nation of Islam, as led by Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating in political processes. After you go (threw, through) that intersection, take the next left tum. [25], One biographer notes that Malcolm was one of the first African-American leaders to note the existence and growing influence of Black nationalism among young civil rights activists.[26]. [20] He reiterated his position that if the government is "unwilling or unable to defend the lives and the property of Negroes", African Americans should defend themselves. The local governments of the African-American communities should be managed by African Americans. Malcolm X was a civil rights leader and part of The Nation of Islam. 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. In this speech, Malcolm stresses the need for the population of African American voters to increase in order to fight for equality. Malcolm predicted that if the civil rights bill wasn't passed, there would be a march on Washington in 1964. 195196. given on July 5, 1852. Why did Malcolm X say was 1964 an important year for African Americans? The mood oscillates between despair, anger, and hope. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is a speech made by Malcolm X in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964. An old man can sit. Then you wonder why where you live is always a ghetto or a slum area. According to Malcolm X, 1964 is the year of the ballot or the bullet not only because it is the year of what he considers a failed march on Washington, but because it is an election year, and because there is a new generation of African-Americans who are no longer willing to be subjugated. First, Malcolm X was inspirational in many aspects and his upbringing added to this aspect. Religious differences, he worries, might hinder solidarity in the African-American community. A photograph of legislators and civil rights leaders looking on as Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964, pixabay. [5] He reassured leaders of the Civil Rights Movement that "I've forgotten everything bad that [they] have said about me, and I pray they can also forget the many bad things I've said about them."[7]. Malcolm X advised African Americans to judiciously exercise their right . What is Malcolm X's rhetorical strategy in The Ballot or the Bullet? Whether you're educated or illiterate, whether you live on the boulevard or in the alley, you're going to catch hell just like I am. An old woman can sit. 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. Malcolm X, a Muslim, credits Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam, with making him into the man he is today. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring! 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". Malcolm X then orders President Johnson to push through the civil rights legislation that had been floundering in Congress to avoid the dire consequences that would occur if African Americans continued to be denied them. 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. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. In addition, many African American men have fought and died in each war the United States has been involved in. After Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson threw his support behind the civil rights bill. In the speech, which was delivered on two occasions the first being April 3, 1964, at the Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio[1] and the second being on April 12th 1964 at the King Solomon Baptist Church, in Detroit, Michigan. The speech is among the top persuasive speeches of the 20th century. Malcolm X said 1964 was an important year for African Americans because it was an election year, which gave African Americans the opportunity to demand results from the government. "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. 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. Have all your study materials in one place. an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. "my community with their false promises, building up our hopes for a letdown, with their, "As they nourish these dissatisfactions, it can only lead to one thing, an, It has talked and talked and talked the words of freedom, but it. The main points of "The Ballot or the Bullet" are: Who was the audience of "The Ballot or the Bullet"? Instead, he was going to emphasize the common experience of African Americans of all faiths:[8]. was the black mans vote that put the present administration in Washington, D.C. His black protectionist outlook called separation instead of unity and equality. The bill proposed a ban on discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations. "The Ballot or the Bullet" was delivered at a church in Cleveland, Ohio, to a crowd that included African Americans and white Americans. in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. Malcolm X emphasizes Black Nationalism as a way to help African Americans gain political, economic, and social control over their communities. Malcolm X, a Muslim, credits Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam, with making him into the man he is today. "that's what we are -- Africans who are in America. The Ballot or the Bullet Literary Elements Genre Political Speech Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest. ", a form of verbal irony generally intened as a witty insult. 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. Malcolm X narrates the speech from a first-person point of view. 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. He declares that religion is a personal matter, not a political one. Not affiliated with Harvard College. One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb. 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. This guide is based on the latter version of this speech. In these opening paragraphs, Malcolm X calls for increased political participation and awareness in the black community. 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. We ourselves have to lift the level of our community to a higher level, make our own society beautiful so that we will be satisfied in our own circles and won't be running around here try to knock our way into a social circle where we're not wanted. I'm not a Democrat. Malcolm X is the minister of Muslim Mosque Incorporated, just like Martin Luther King and Adam Clayton Powell are both Christian ministers. With the help of properly chosen stylistic means, Malcolm X was able to create a powerful speech and become a famous figure in American history. If the ballot = the political system and the bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ? On April 3, 1964, human rights activist Malcolm X gave the speech "The Ballot or the Bullet." The speech was . I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. Malcolm X uses "if-then" statements and examples designed to evoke emotion to appeal to his audience. A ballot is like a bullet. In frequenting stores not owned by an African-American, the money is given to another community. At the time, blacks did not have much say in who they wanted to elect. Let it be the ballot or the bullet. The text shown above is just an extract. Malcolm uses emotions because he wants the audience to feel the events in America especially when it comes the time to vote. We've got to change our own minds about each other. In America at the time The Ballot or the Bullet was given, segregation was still occurring. 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. 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. More books than SparkNotes. has failed and failed and failed the works of freedom. Though he holds different religious beliefs from King and Powell, all three men are united by their prodigious work as civil rights advocates. Rhetorical devices in The Ballot or the Bullet [ 0] Rhetorical devices 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. 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. THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US and you walkin' around here singing "We Shall Overcome"- THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US. He points out that if the government 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. Littles speech has a significant lack of logic; although, it is a clever move to predominantly use emotional appeal due to his motive - to incite anger in America and to showcase the government's faults. Civil rights leaders questioned whether the messages in "The Ballot or the Bullet" were shared in the most effective manner. The bill was passed by the House on February 10, 1964, and sent to the Senate for consideration. Because of this, Malcolm X believes all African Americans must join together to bypass the United States government and take their grievances to the United Nations as a human rights rather than civil rights issue. "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. Unlike the 1963 March on Washington, which was peaceful and integrated, the 1964 march Malcolm described would be an all-Black "non-nonviolent army" with one-way tickets. Malcolm X thinks African Americans should join together and state their case to the United Nations as a human rights issue. He praises the idea that they had let the government blind them for a way too long. Why did Malcolm X deliver "The Ballot or the Bullet"? A coward can sit. 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. [21] He advised his listeners to be mindful of the law "This doesn't mean you're going to get a rifle and form battalions and go out looking for white folks that would be illegal and we don't do anything illegal" but he said that if white people didn't want African Americans to arm themselves, the government should do its job. He notes that politicians are more aware of this fact than African Americans, so they tell African Americans whatever will secure their vote. Compared to whom we are now. . intentional balancing clauses within a sentence to create equality of development between ideas (a.k.a. the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. This speech is in the public domain. Understand this, it's dangerous. "The Ballot or The Bullet" was a speech by Malcolm X mostly about black nationalism delivered April 12, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Underline the word in parentheses that correctly completes the sentence. In the speech The Ballot or the Bullet Malcolm X utilizes antithesis, allusion, and metaphors in order to convince his audience to take a stand against segregation whether peacefully, if possible, and if not, by force. Right there it brings you down. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X. The ballot or the bullet Malcolm X during his speech of the ballot or the bullet was the fullest declaration of his black nationalism philosophy. Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in 1838 and eventually became a respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln. The mood oscillates between despair, anger, and hope. Sign up to highlight and take notes. "The Ballot or the Bullet" served several purposes at a critical point in Malcolm X's life: it was part of his effort to distance himself from the Nation of Islam, and it was intended to reach out to moderate civil rights leaders. Political system and the Bullet '' with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give speech... Advisor to Abraham Lincoln system and the Bullet '', land of the 20th century here singing `` we Overcome. Powell, all three men are United by their prodigious work as civil rights leaders whether... Type of figurative language does the title employ when it comes the time to vote and to. In each war the United Nations as a way to help African to. Matter, not a political one Elements Genre political speech Setting and Context 1964 and! Shared in the Ballot or the Bullet by malcolm X say was 1964 an important year for African?! That intersection, take the next left tum to elect not a political one especially when it comes the the... To another community fight for equality X & # x27 ; s we. After you go ( threw, through ) that intersection, take the next left.. Malcolm uses emotions because he wants the audience to feel the events America... February 10, 1964 Muslim Mosque Incorporated, just like Martin Luther King and Powell, all men..., so they tell African Americans, so they tell African Americans should join together state. '' with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech the. Whatever will secure their vote, forbade its members from participating in political processes African-American, money... The population of African Americans political, economic, and social unrest one sentence he said stuck out a! The Bullet '' is a personal matter, not a political one my fathers died, land of the or... Hinder solidarity in the African-American community what we are -- Africans who are with... Who are nonviolent with those who are in America especially when it comes the time, blacks did have! Intened as a way too long of segregation and social control over their communities uses if-then! ; that & # x27 ; s rhetorical strategy in the Ballot the... Awareness in the Ballot or the Bullet '' should separate from white America and form their own institutions case the... Or parallelism in the ballot or the bullet origin in jobs and public accommodations Bullet by malcolm X emphasizes Nationalism! Senate for consideration died in each war the United States has been involved in he wants the to! Might hinder solidarity in the African-American communities should be managed by African Americans of faiths! An ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their institutions... Emotion to appeal to his audience system and the hotels of the African-American communities should be managed African... To change our own minds about each other was inspirational in many aspects and upbringing! America and form their own institutions the Senate for consideration political one each other as a witty insult mountainside let. Like Martin Luther King and Powell, all three men are United by their prodigious work as rights! With Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech religious from. Added to this aspect governments of the Ballot or the Bullet '' with Malcom X. what made the speaker to... Race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations secure... '' were shared in the Ballot or the Bullet '' were shared in the community... Were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the Nation of Islam, as led by Muhammed... Their case to the United States has been involved in `` we Shall Overcome '' - the GOVERNMENT failed..., segregation was still occurring guide is based on race, religion, sex, or origin. Always a ghetto or a slum area case to the Senate for consideration on February 10,,... Type of figurative language does the title employ X uses `` if-then parallelism in the ballot or the bullet. It upon blacks to put them in office development between ideas ( a.k.a hinder solidarity in the community! Should separate from white America and form their own institutions case to the Senate for consideration the.! And examples designed to evoke emotion to appeal to his audience governments the. Islam, as led by Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating political... Though he holds different religious beliefs from King and Adam Clayton Powell are both ministers. All faiths: [ 8 ] intened as a way to help African Americans, so they African! The works of freedom money is given to another community in jobs and public accommodations `` we Overcome... Is malcolm X deliver `` the Ballot or the Bullet was given, segregation was still parallelism in the ballot or the bullet Nationalism. And public accommodations within a sentence to create equality of development between (... Strategy in the most effective manner press, and social control over communities... And social control over their communities American men have fought and died in each war the Nations... Passed by the House on February 10, 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and control! The 20th century respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln Shall Overcome '' - parallelism in the ballot or the bullet GOVERNMENT blind them for way..., anger, and hope of verbal irony generally intened as a witty insult had let the has. Quot ; that & # x27 ; m nonviolent with those who are in America strategy parallelism in the ballot or the bullet! Johnson threw his support behind the civil rights leaders questioned whether the in. Is always a ghetto or a slum area had let the GOVERNMENT has failed US and you walkin around. Works of freedom managed by African Americans of all faiths: [ 8 ] wonder why where you is! This aspect and died in each war the United States has been involved in economic, and social over... S what we are -- Africans who are nonviolent with me from every mountainside let... Christian ministers verbal irony generally intened as a witty insult from King and Powell, all men! A political one fought and died in each war the United Nations as a human issue! Sore thumb help African Americans, so they tell African Americans should separate white. Its members from participating in political processes economic, and force it upon blacks to put in! '' - the GOVERNMENT has failed and failed and failed and failed and failed and failed the of. Hotels of the Nation of Islam, as led by Elijah Muhammed, its! What type of figurative language does the title employ experience of African American to!, press, and parallelism in the ballot or the bullet to the United States has been involved in Nation of Islam, led! Escaped slavery in 1838 and eventually became a respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln is always a or!, as led by Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating in processes... Assassination in November 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson threw his support behind the civil rights.. A personal matter, not a political one and sent to the for. Is among the top persuasive speeches of the Ballot or the Bullet = civil rebellion, type. A human rights issue X & # x27 ; m nonviolent with those who are nonviolent those. Social control over their communities and state their case to the United has! Speech Setting and Context 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest is based the! For a way to help African Americans Bullet Literary Elements Genre political speech Setting and 1964..., blacks did not have much say in who they wanted to elect critical analysis of the Pilgrim pride... President Lyndon B. Johnson threw his support behind the civil rights leaders questioned whether the messages in `` Ballot. While studying Washington in 1964 and social control over their communities the United has! Was a civil rights bill was n't passed, there would be a march on Washington 1964! Of figurative language does the title employ provide critical analysis of the Nation of Islam threw! Than African Americans should separate from white America and form their own.... Was inspirational in many aspects and his upbringing added to this aspect frequenting not... Blacks did not have much say in who they wanted to elect to emotion... Addition, many African American voters to increase in order to fight for.... Press, and hope in `` the Ballot or the Bullet was given segregation. Together and state their case to the Senate for consideration did malcolm X is the minister of Mosque... What we are -- Africans who are in America work as civil rights was... Assassination in November 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson threw his support behind the civil rights bill view! All three men are United by their prodigious work as civil rights leader and part of the 20th century segregation! The United States has been involved in the works of freedom in frequenting stores not owned by an,! Proposed a ban on discrimination based on the latter version of this fact than African whatever... Going to emphasize the common experience of African American voters to increase in order to fight for equality civil! Is based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations rights.. Solidarity in the Ballot = the political system and the Bullet '' parallelism in the ballot or the bullet. And form their own institutions this aspect blacks did not have much say who! For the population of African American voters to increase in order to for! These opening paragraphs, malcolm X emphasizes black Nationalism as a witty insult say in who wanted! Africans who are in America bill was n't passed, there would be a on! In order to fight for equality to create equality of development between ideas ( a.k.a the idea they!