"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. Let him know that it must be the ballot or the bullet.. For example, the speaker uses the metaphor of a boat to suggest that all African Americans (regardless of religion) are victims of discrimination and oppression: We're. Best study tips and tricks for your exams. What is meant by "the ballot or the bullet"? After you go (threw, through) that intersection, take the next left tum. Our faith is sure, our resolve is firm, and our union is strong. Like the colonists, Malcolm X is ready to fight tooth and nail for the liberation of his community, whether that means using his vote advantageously or participating in outright revolution. As a result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a reasonable goal. If gaming the political system doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is the title of a public speech by human rights activist Malcolm X. The purpose was to allow black people to realize the events that were happening in their lives. In doing so, the African-American community loses money and becomes poorer while the community the dollar was given to gains money and becomes richer. Gradesaver has a complete summary of "The Ballot of the Bullet" speech readily available in its study guide for this unit. 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. [23], But, Malcolm said, there was still time to prevent this situation from developing:[23]. Create and find flashcards in record time. 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. He was also muslim. True. JCBEdPRO. His subject was Negro rights, and he was speaking to the African American population. in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates. He explains to the black community that they the government hold their rights to vote because the senators fear that if the Negros are allowed to vote those senators will become powerless. [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. ", "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." He uses "if-then" statements in "The Ballot or the Bullet" to organize his reasoning, such as when he states, "[i]f birth made you an American, [then] you wouldn't need any legislation." The repetition of the phrase the ballot or the bullet shows how that community of people feel about change. ", "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. The Ballot or the Bullet essays are academic essays for citation. He tells the crowd that they first need to set aside differences to focus on their common issue the white man. At his press conference, Malcolm X said that "in areas where our people are the constant victims of brutality, and the government seems unable or unwilling to protect them, we should form rifle clubs that can be used to defend our lives and our property in times of emergency". In this speech, Malcolm stresses the need for the population of African American voters to increase in order to fight for equality. Post navigation . Why did "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienate white Americans? [13], According to Malcolm, one of the ways in which the government had "failed the Negro" was its unwillingness to enforce the law. The title "The Ballot or the Bullet" has an underlining meaning. He notes that politicians are more aware of this fact than African Americans, so they tell African Americans whatever will secure their vote. 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. "When you take your case to Washington, D.C., you're taking it to the criminal who's responsible; it's like running from the wolf to the fox. 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. "that's what we are -- Africans who are in America. In a speech on May 18, 1858, Abraham Lincoln said, "To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only are necessary. They don't attack me because I'm a Muslim; they attack me 'CAUSE I'M BLACK. He accused the Democrats of playing a "political con game", with African Americans as its victims. When a racial powder keg goes off, it doesn't care who it knocks out of the way. . "The Ballot or the Bullet" asks African Americans to put aside their differences and work together to redefine their civil rights as human rights so they can plead their case to the United Nations. But, he said, the police department and local government often sided with segregationists against the Civil Rights Movement. 1483 Words6 Pages. 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. Like Malcolm X, whenever he has been an orphan at the young age, but he never stop to learn and study. It was the third bombing in 11 days after Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools. He chose this speech to express cause and effect within the black community because he wants his audience to see that they are being taken advantage of. 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 also delivered the speech about a week later in Detroit, Michigan, on April 12, 1964. Summary of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. 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. 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 narrates the speech from a first-person point of view. GradeSaver "The Ballot or the Bullet Literary Elements". ", indicating your audience may suffer harm/negative consequence if they dont agree with you, "The year when all of the political white crooks will" (The Ballet or the Bullet), "All these Negro leaders have the audacity to go and have some coffee in the White House with a Texan, a Southern cracker" (The Ballot or the Bullet). Your vote, your dumb vote, your ignorant vote, your wasted vote put administration in Washington D.C. His repetition of your followed by a negative adjective and vote made his parallel structure apparent he used your to throw shade on african americans and how they complain about our white presidents. Second-class citizenship, such as is held by the African-American community, is tantamount to 20th-century slavery, says Malcolm. The tone is provocative and righteous. You can subscribe to whichever religious beliefs youd like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like. It's time now for you and me to become more politically mature and realize what the ballot is for; what we're supposed to get when we cast a ballot; and that if we don't cast a ballot, it's going to end up in a situation where we're going to have to cast a bullet. The political philosophy is self-government. Malcolm . He encouraged the black community to get involved in voter registration and voting . A ballot is like a bullet. Understand this, it's dangerous. Anything can sit. Did Malcolm X believe the Democrats wanted to help African Americans achieve equal rights? You can't open up a black store in a white community. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. 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". 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. 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 the ballot = the political system and the bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ? 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). In addition, many African American men have fought and died in each war the United States has been involved in. More books than SparkNotes. Summary of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. So too will the black community win by force, and not by peaceful protest. Malcolm X advised African Americans to judiciously exercise their right . This downplaying of his religion reverberates in the context of a speech advocating for political engagement. Directly or indirectly labeling those against you in a negative way. X was a black civil rights activist who played a huge role in the black community during the mid 20th century. Malcolm wants the audiences to understand they have the power to change America or still continue to allow the government to control. [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. 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. "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? 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. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had outlawed segregation:[14]. That old Uncle Tom action is outdated. As such, African-Americans must endeavor to educate themselves on which politicians will best serve the aims of the civil rights movement. Although he supported black equality, he attacked the problem unlike others such as Martin Luther King Jr. did. Likewise, by stating his continued commitment to Black nationalism, Malcolm reassured his followers that he had not made a complete break with his past. In the speech, The Ballot or the Bullet, Malcolm X urges African-Americans to fight the discrimination put towards them by using their votes to vanquish the evilness in America. A ballot is like a bullet. Black Nationalism: an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. 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. [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. These cover over 30,000 members. The major conflict is between African-Americans and white supremacy, concretized in the twin issues of the upcoming election and the ongoing filibuster against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. GradeSaver "The Ballot or the Bullet The Ballot or the Bullet, Part 1 Summary and Analysis". It was very influential speech that empowered the. In the speech, he uses colorful language and straight talk to drive his messages surrounding voting rights, self-defense, and what he believed were worthwhile goals of the Civil Rights Movement home to his audience. Free and expert-verified textbook solutions. The text shown above is just an extract. 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. On April 3, 1964, human rights activist Malcolm X gave the speech "The Ballot or the Bullet." The speech was . In these opening paragraphs, Malcolm X calls for increased political participation and awareness in the black community. More books than SparkNotes. Malcolm's purpose was to emphasize the idea that the black community needs to be . 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. Civil rights leaders questioned whether the messages in "The Ballot or the Bullet" were shared in the most effective manner. His black protectionist outlook called separation instead of unity and equality. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. In addition, Malcolm X intended his characteristic use of language and imagery to disguise his conceptions of society and history[28] in new ways to put issues into his perspective for his audience and inspire activism. They're all in cahoots together". Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. [6], When he left the Nation of Islam, Malcolm declared his willingness to cooperate with the Civil Rights Movement. Antithesis refers to creating contrast between ideas, concepts, or people to maintain the audiences attention and to emphasize an idea thespeakersupports. [2] Malcolm X advised African Americans to judiciously exercise their right to vote, but he cautioned that if the government continued to prevent African Americans from attaining full equality, it might be necessary for them to take up arms. . Underline the word in parentheses that correctly completes the sentence. 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 form of verbal irony generally intened as a witty insult. He said that Black nationalists believe that African Americans should control the politics and the economy in their communities and that they need to remove the vices, such as alcoholism and drug addiction, that afflict their communities. 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. 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. Dixicrats: a southern segregationist faction of the Democratic Party. Rhetorical Analysis Of 'The Ballot Or The Bullet', Civil Rights Activist, Malcolm X, in his speech The Ballot or The Bullet addressed the issue that the black community needs to take action about how the government treats them unfairly. He declares that religion is a personal matter, not a political one. "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech was delivered by Malcolm X on March 3, 1964 at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Malcolm X's speech "The Ballot or the Bullet" is intended to encourage African Americans to take the Civil Rights Movement forward and become even more determined in actively fighting for their rights. He was also muslim. He observes that the United States has reached its boiling point, demonstrated by the increasing use of weapons in confrontations. Ballot or the Bullet Ballot or the Bullet American Drama A Raisin in the Sun Aeschylus Amiri Baraka Antigone Arcadia Tom Stoppard August Wilson Cat on a Hot Tin Roof David Henry Hwang Dutchman Edward Albee Eugene O'Neill Euripides European Drama Fences August Wilson Goethe Faust Hedda Gabler Henrik Ibsen Jean Paul Sartre Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "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. 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. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Some were communists; some, Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a, Thats camouflage, thats trickery, thats, Click here to study/print these flashcards. Tone and Mood The tone is provocative and righteous. It was ranked 7th in the top 100 American speeches of the 20th century by 137 leading scholars of American public address. [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. If the black community throws their support behind a single candidate, as they did behind Kennedy, that candidate will win. Besides, in Malcolm X biography, I learnt that, an extraordinary person has an extraordinary characteristics. "Those Honkies that just got off the boat, they're already Americans; Polacks are already Americans; the Italian refugees are already Americans. As one can probably tell from the title, Malcolm X is attempting to convince African American citizens to actively exercise their right to vote. "The time when white people can come in our community and get us to vote for them so that they can be our political leaders and tell us what to do and what not to do is long gone. [12], Black nationalism was characterized by its political, social, and economic philosophies. Stop procrastinating with our study reminders. Douglass received an invitation to speak at a Fourth of July celebration in his hometown, and the speech he gave called out the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom as a country while millions of its residents are enslaved. 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