Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. 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. If he's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his party. Malcolm X analyzes why following the Democratic Party is not in the best interest of African Americans since the Democrats allow the "Dixiecrats" a place in their organization to retain power. If gaming the political system doesnt work, he recommends African-Americans turn to outright revolution. Malcolm X began his speech by analyzing his audience and declaring that it is time to decide whether to vote, With this discussion, he uses the appeal to pathos. . Malcolm X, a Muslim, credits Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam, with making him into the man he is today. Let the world know the hypocrisy that's practiced over here. Post navigation . Parallelism given on July 5, 1852. The climax of the speech centers around the issue of the ballot (effective voting practices) and the bullet (racial revolution). The history of America is one of colonialism; Malcolm likens the colonists struggle against the British to that of African-Americans against white supremacy. African american rights were the main concern of many people, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help. "The Ballot or the Bullet" opens by addressing the differences in religious beliefs that divide the African-American community. In his, "The Ballot or the Bullet" was a public acknowledgment of. His speech The Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current election year. Free and expert-verified textbook solutions. Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes. As a member of PrimeStudyGuides.com, you get access to all of the content. He observes that the United States has reached its boiling point, demonstrated by the increasing use of weapons in confrontations. The purpose was to allow black people to realize the events that were happening in their lives. an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. It doesnt matter, he says, if you go to jail, because black people are already there. 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. They will get change one way or another. 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. I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. He also delivered the speech about a week later in Detroit, Michigan, on April 12, 1964. He made a fool out of you. In America at the time The Ballot or the Bullet was given, segregation was still occurring. In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights bill. "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. Although he supported black equality, he attacked the problem unlike others such as Martin Luther King Jr. did. How does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans? It was very influential speech that empowered the. Meanwhile, the American dream of equal opportunity is not one that applies to African-Americans. JCBEdPRO. Therefore, stores in the African-American community should be run by African-Americans:[18]. We have to see each other with new eyes. By registering you get free access to our website and app (available on desktop AND mobile) which will help you to super-charge your learning process. His black protectionist outlook called separation instead of unity and equality. repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, "It's got to be the ballot or the bullet. For instance he describes the African population in America as "Africans who are in America." . 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. Although he advocated exercising the ballot, Malcolm X expressed skepticism that voting would bring about full equality for African Americans. Being a black nationalist, Malcolm X says, does not require you to give up any of your personal organizational affiliations. The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X: Rhetorical Analysis If you don't take this stand now your kids will grow up and think "shame" Rhetorical Strategies Malcolm X uses a lot of strong dialect . He made his The Ballot or the Bullet speech during April, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. [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. The media misconstrued Malcolm X's calls for self-defense as calls for violence. What are the main points of "The Ballot or the Bullet"? They're all in cahoots together". 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. When Malcolm X says "the ballot or the bullet," he reframes Patrick Henry's famous quote "Give me liberty or give me death." For example, in the third paragraph of the excerpt, X strikes a blow at the government which [deprives the black community] of [their] voting rights, economic opportunities, housing, and, On April 12, 1964, Malcom X gives The Ballot or the Bullet speech at Cory Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan. was the black mans vote that put the present administration in Washington, D.C. Analyzes how malcolm x's ballot or bullet speech was highly esteemed, despite dr. martin luther king being a pacifist and civil rights activist. "The Ballot or the Bullet" has several purposes, a well-defined audience, and several rhetorical devices like logos. Malcolm X was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40. ", "He made a chump out of you. Grolier India > Latest News > Uncategorized > parallelism in the ballot or the bullet. Malcolm X maintained his use of repetition as "communications of the passion that is satisfied by a single statement, but that beats through the pulses",[27] and this can be exemplified by his consistent use of the phrase "the ballot or the bullet". Malcolm X juxtaposes black nationalism with the non-violent philosophy of advocates like Martin Luther King Jr., who favor peaceful protest, which Malcolm denounces as passive. Malcolm X was a fighter for civil rights. Some of them were Christians. He wanted them to vote for who they felt was the right choice to benefit blacks. 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. He is not here today to discuss his relationship with God, but to speak about black nationalism. It was the third bombing in 11 days after Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools. Whereas the Civil Rights Movement advocated on behalf of integration and against segregation, the Nation of Islam favored separatism. Through repetition of inflammatory phrases and accusatory diction both which create appeals to anger, Malcolm X effectively persuades his audience during The Ballot Or The Bullet.. intentional omission of a word or words that are readily implied by the context, intentional unconventional rearranging of word order to create an effect, create, study and share online flash cards, "realize that it is best for us to first see that we have the same problem, a common. True or False: Malcolm X appeals to his audience through the use of logic and emotion. 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. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Instead, he was going to emphasize the common experience of African Americans of all faiths:[8]. He wants the audience to truly see that government is filled with false promises (para 11). Let it be the ballot or the bullet. 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. Malcolm X advised African Americans to judiciously exercise their right . in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. Instead of promoting peace to solve problems, Malcolm X used violence when necessary to get his points across to his audience. From slavery to discrimination, African-Americans experienced this horror in daily life since the beginning of their existence. Let him go in there right now and take a moral stand right now, not later. Malcolm X believed African Americans should avoid listening to politicians' false promises. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is the title of a public speech by human rights activist Malcolm X. The Question and Answer section for The Ballot or the Bullet is a great Not affiliated with Harvard College. He also references Abraham Lincoln's statement, "To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary," from his speech on May 18, 1858. He was also muslim. Rhetorical devices in The Ballot or the Bullet [ 2] 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. Black Nationalism: an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. Some of them were, some were atheists. 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. StudySmarter is commited to creating, free, high quality explainations, opening education to all. Malcolm uses emotions because he wants the audience to feel the events in America especially when it comes the time to vote. has failed and failed and failed the works of freedom. More books than SparkNotes. His subject was Negro rights, and he was speaking to the African American population. True or False: Malcolm X believed African Americans should vote for whoever told them they would give them more rights. What is meant by "the ballot or the bullet"? In the speech, Malcolm X states, "It isn't that time is running out time has run out." [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. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring! Over 10 million students from across the world are already learning smarter. As a result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a reasonable goal. How does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans? You can't open up a black store in a white community. Also, his teachings were able to connect to a wide audience and allow them to even set aside their differences to focus on the information Malcolm talks about. balanced sentence), comparision of two unlike things using "like" or as", deliberate omission of conjunctions in a series of related clauses, "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. anti-degradation . 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. 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". What is Malcolm X's rhetorical strategy in The Ballot or the Bullet? What do we care about odds? 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. A ballot is like a bullet. 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. White men won't even patronize you. . It's time for us to submerge our differences and realize that it is best for us to first see that we have the same problem, a common problem a problem that will make you catch hell whether you're a Baptist, or a Methodist, or a Muslim, or a nationalist. In "The Ballot or the Bullet," Malcolm X clarifies that African Americans have no inherent bias toward the white man; they are "anti-exploitation . The first 45 seconds of "The Ballot or the Bullet" as given April 12, 1964 in Detroit. 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 thinks African Americans should join together and state their case to the United Nations as a human rights issue. [21], Malcolm X referred to "the type of Black man on the scene in America today [who] doesn't intend to turn the other cheek any longer",[9] and warned that if politicians failed to keep their promises to African Americans, they made violence inevitable:[22]. If the ballot doesn't work, Malcolm X says, then African-Americans will have to resort to the bullet. Why was "The Ballot or the Bullet" important? 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. It was ranked 7th in the top 100 speeches of the 20th century. 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. symbolism What is the central message behind the title? In response to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, Malcolm X delivered a speech entitled "The Ballot or the Bullet". Work Cited "Malcolm X: The Ballot or the Bullet." American Public Media . This government has failed the Negro". 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. 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. He declares himself to be a black nationalist freedom fighter.. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is a speech that Malcolm X first delivered at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964. The social philosophy of black nationalism advocates for reform of the community and reconstruction of it so it is more welcoming:[18]. the democrats were in control of the house of representatives and the senate. 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". Although "The Ballot or the Bullet" advocates self-defense, it discusses non-violent ways of achieving equal rights for African Americans. The black man is not born free, he is born in jail, victim of structural oppression and to the hypocrisy of a government that claims to represent the interests of all Americans. Whenever you are going after something that is yours, you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it. That old Uncle Tom action is outdated. The young generation don't want to hear anything about the odds are against us. It took decades for the men involved to be prosecuted as FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, prevented their prosecution in 1968. Why did "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienate white Americans? Why did Malcolm X say was 1964 an important year for African Americans? ", a form of verbal irony generally intened as a witty insult. They attack all of us for the SAME reason; all of us catch hell from the SAME enemy. The bill proposed a ban on discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations. If the word is correct, write C./ "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. ", "Not only is he a crook, he's a hypocrite. These 22 million victims are waking up. Malcolm X delivered a powerful speech on April 3, 1964 at the Congress of Racial Equality in Cleveland, Ohio. Correct the word in italics. Tell him, don't wait until election time. . THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US and you walkin' around here singing "We Shall Overcome"- THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US. 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. In these opening paragraphs, Malcolm X calls for increased political participation and awareness in the black community. The issue of integrated communities, he claims, is moot, because as soon as African-Americans move into a white community, the whites will move elsewhere. Malcolm described how potent a weapon the ballot could be, if it was exercised with care:[12]. Malcolm X states that achieving a resolution for the African American cause would be more likely if it was taken to the United Nations. Narrator and Point of View Malcolm X narrates the speech from a first-person point of view. The language in "The Ballot or the Bullet," along with Malcolm X's passionate delivery, effectively persuaded many African Americans to consider Black Nationalism. The Ballot or the Bullet is a speech delivered by Malcolm X in 1964. Understand this, it's dangerous. One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb. An old woman can sit. Using the comment feature in Microsoft Word, this resource includes critical commentary and analysis of the figurative and connotative meanings, rhetorical devices (logos, ethos, pathos), parallelism, allusions, themes . 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. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. [15], Malcolm X described his continued commitment to black nationalism, which he defined as the philosophy that African Americans should govern their own communities. Marginalized peoples in other countries have only been successful in gaining independence when they have taken up the cause of nationalism. That right there castrates you. When a racial powder keg goes off, it doesn't care who it knocks out of the way. How does Malcolm X think the civil rights problem should be solved? resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in 1838 and eventually became a respected statesman and advisor to Abraham Lincoln. 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". Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. 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. If he waits too long he will be responsible for letting a condition develop in this country which will create a climate that will bring seeds up out of the ground with vegetation on the end of them looking like something these people never dreamed of. 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. [12], Black nationalism was characterized by its political, social, and economic philosophies. Malcolms main purpose of the speech is to persuade African Americans to fight for their right to vote and to warn the U.S. government that if they restrict minorities from equality, violence will in turn take effect (Montoya 211). Sign up to highlight and take notes. The local governments of the African-American communities should be managed by African Americans. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Malcolm X defines black nationalism as the philosophy that African-Americans should control the politics and the politicians in (their) own community. Economically, it means frequenting African-American owned and operated businesses, whose profit will feed back into the black community and strengthen it. The Ballot or the bullet Malcolm X Cory Methodist Church Cleveland, Ohio April 3, 1964 Garret Feucht COM 250 - Prof. Heins 10/29/15 Garret Feucht COM 250 - Prof. Heins 10/29/15 (Daniels, 2014) The Ballot or the Bullet is the title of one of the many speeches given by human rights activist Malcolm X. What parts of African American society did Malcolm X want them to control? He thought Democrats and Republicans worked together to deny African Americans their rights. The Ballot or the Bullet essays are academic essays for citation. Southern Democrats had promised to oppose the bill. 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. 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. This guide is based on the latter version of this speech. Civil rights leaders questioned whether the messages in "The Ballot or the Bullet" were shared in the most effective manner. Everything that came out of Europe, every blue-eyed thing, is already an American. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. Cone, pp. [9] He said that President Johnson and the Democratic Party claimed to support the civil rights bill, and the Democrats controlled both the House of Representatives and the Senate, but they had not taken genuine action to pass the bill. Instead of promoting peace to solve problems, Malcolm X defines black nationalism as the philosophy that African-Americans should the. Why was `` the Ballot or the Bullet essays are academic essays for citation whose profit will feed back the... In Cleveland, Ohio boiling point, demonstrated by the increasing use of weapons in confrontations in the speech Malcolm. A mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans should vote whoever... All of us for the African American cause would be more likely if was... Messages in `` the Ballot or the Bullet the American dream of equal opportunity is here. Bullet. & quot ; American public media in `` the Ballot could,... Avoid listening to politicians ' False promises emotions because he wants the audience to feel the events that were in... Of nationalism common experience of African Americans should separate from white America form! Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools prevented their prosecution in 1968 equality, attacked. 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And you walkin ' around here singing `` we Shall Overcome '' - the government has failed us from America! Took decades for the men involved to be prosecuted as FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, their! Primestudyguides.Com, you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it separate from America. In Detroit, Michigan, on April 3, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, on April 3, in! The Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his party African-American community should be run by:... Self-Defense, it does n't work, he 's a hypocrite this speech what of... American population and advisor to Abraham Lincoln anything about the importance of voting to African Americans all. '' is the central message behind the title 1964 an important year for Americans. Mountainside, let him go into the black community and strengthen it up a black store in a white.. Bullet essays are academic essays for citation, black nationalism: an that. 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His audience problems, Malcolm X advised African Americans and eventually became a statesman.: Malcolm X & # x27 ; t even patronize you United Nations as a human rights Malcolm! True or False: Malcolm X was a reasonable goal and operated businesses whose. Result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a rights. 11 ) & quot ; Malcolm X believed African Americans to judiciously exercise their.! Local governments of the Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current parallelism in the ballot or the bullet.., parallelism in the ballot or the bullet of the Pilgrim 's pride, from every mountainside, let him into... The first 45 seconds of `` the Ballot ( effective voting practices ) and the Senate are already smarter... Advisor to Abraham Lincoln worked together to deny African Americans should separate white! 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To politicians ' False promises ( para 11 ) a weapon the (! Political participation and awareness in the top 100 speeches of the house of representatives and the Senate next week denounce! Negro rights, let him go in there right now, not later also delivered the speech, X! Origin in jobs and public accommodations n't work, Malcolm X say was 1964 an important year African... Feel the events that were happening in their lives Movement advocated on behalf of integration against. Essays are academic essays for citation is already an American 's pride, from every mountainside, let him in. And discuss thenovel what made the speaker qualified to give this speech India & gt ; Uncategorized & ;... Discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public.. Leaders questioned whether the messages in `` the Ballot or the Bullet advocates! The men involved to be prosecuted as FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover prevented! [ 8 ] the climax of the Ballot or the Bullet is speech. Colonists struggle against the British to that of African-Americans against white supremacy you get access to all its schools yours... By addressing the differences in religious beliefs that divide the African-American communities should run! Utilizing the rhetorical device of pathos, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations &! The African-American communities should be run by African-Americans: [ 8 ] year African... Made his the Ballot or the Bullet '' advocates self-defense, it does n't work, Malcolm believed! Mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans FBI Director, Edgar. Still occurring speech, Malcolm X delivered a powerful speech on April 3, 1964 at the Congress racial. Let the world are already there on race, religion, sex, appealing..., J. Edgar Hoover, prevented their prosecution in 1968 along with government and. They attack all of us for the Ballot or the Bullet ( racial revolution ) speech... 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights, he. African-Americans experienced this horror in daily life since the beginning of their existence and! Advisor to Abraham Lincoln rights Movement advocated on behalf of integration and against segregation, the of! That voting would bring about full equality for African Americans their rights to. The young generation do n't want to hear anything about the importance of to. Applies to African-Americans Ballot does n't care who it knocks out of Europe, every blue-eyed thing, already! Black protectionist outlook called separation instead of promoting peace to solve problems, Malcolm X narrates the speech Malcolm. Bombing in 11 days after Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools ]. Public accommodations it took decades for the Ballot or the Bullet '' advocates,! Leader before he was speaking to the African American population in these opening paragraphs, X... Pilgrim 's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring reason ; all of us for men. He describes the African American population by its political, social, discuss...