Dixicrats: a southern segregationist faction of the Democratic Party. "The Ballot or the Bullet" opens by addressing the differences in religious beliefs that divide the African-American community. This speech is in the public domain. Work Cited "Malcolm X: The Ballot or the Bullet." American Public Media . [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. 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. "The Ballot or the Bullet" opens by addressing the differences in religious beliefs that divide the African-American community. When Malcolm X says "the ballot or the bullet," he reframes Patrick Henry's famous quote "Give me liberty or give me death." Malcolm X advised African Americans to judiciously exercise their right . Relying on peaceful protests such as sit-ins castrates the black man, says Malcolm. Lyndon B. Johnson is the head of the Democratic Party. 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. parallelism in the ballot or the bullet. In response to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, Malcolm X delivered a speech entitled "The Ballot or the Bullet". The Ballot or the Bullet Analysis Jasmine Grant Jackson State University By Any Means Necessary! 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 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. allusions, parallelism, a strong rigid tone, accusations, wise diction and the. You don't throw your ballots until you see a target, and if that target is not within your reach, keep your ballot in your pocket. "Those Honkies that just got off the boat, they're already Americans; Polacks are already Americans; the Italian refugees are already Americans. The climax of the speech centers around the issue of the ballot (effective voting practices) and the bullet (racial revolution). 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. "The Ballot or the Bullet," a famous civil rights speech delivered by Malcolm X Malcolm X religious beliefs had caused controversy within the Black community. [24], When Malcolm X spoke of "the type of Black man on the scene in America today [who] doesn't intend to turn the other cheek any longer",[9] he was addressing his followers, people who were not advocates of the non-violent approach generally favored by the Civil Rights Movement. The current dispute mandate runs out on 6 May, and so the new ballot will run from 20 March until 9 May. In addition, many African American men have fought and died in each war the United States has been involved in. "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. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. In the speech, Malcolm X states, "It isn't that time is running out time has run out." [and] anti-oppression" and that, if white Americans take issue with being considered a problem, all they have to do is stop treating African Americans in those ways. repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, "It's got to be the ballot or the bullet. Malcolm X uses a combination of logic and emotion to appeal to his audience. At numerous times throughout the speech, Malcolm X recounts founding father Patrick Henry's famous quote, "Give me liberty, or give me death," when he tells African Americans the time has come to choose between "the ballot or the bullet.". Southern Democrats (sometimes called Dixiecrats, though the term is ambiguous and more properly refers to a short-lived separate political party), blocked the bill from consideration by the House of Representatives. . It can be argued that groups such as The Black Panthers, who adopted many of the beliefs in "The Ballot or the Bullet," were formed due to this speech. 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. Therefore if these are successful, we could see 150,000 members plus in dispute by the time of the . 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. If he's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his party. intentional balancing clauses within a sentence to create equality of development between ideas (a.k.a. Malcolm X highlights the frustrating struggle of African Americans' fight to be able to vote by mentioning John F. Kennedy's desire to force Cuba to have democratic elections. Because election time is a time where the black community is taken advantage of; Malcolm X addresses the issue about the legislation civil rights with defines the right to guarantee the voting rights to the Negros within the states. Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. [13], According to Malcolm, one of the ways in which the government had "failed the Negro" was its unwillingness to enforce the law. in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. $4.00. 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. He tells the crowd that they first need to set aside differences to focus on their common issue the white man. You're nothing but Africans. "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. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X. The mood oscillates between despair, anger, and hope. The Nation of Islam, as led by Elijah Muhammed, forbade its members from participating in political processes. Malcolm X says he and other African Americans are not really Americans because they have to fight for the same rights others are given by birth. Some of them were, some were atheists. April 8, 2021; energy difference between n=1 and n=2 in joules. 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. How does he use his beliefs to persuade a mixed audience about the importance of voting to African Americans? Have all your study materials in one place. Note that these are only some examples and not a full list of all the devices the speaker uses. 11. "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. "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. On the other hand, "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienated white Americans. Rhetorical Analysis Of The Ballot Or The Bullet. He explains that he does not subscribe to either the Democratic or the Republican party, because he considers himself a victim of Americas so-called democracy. For African-Americans, there is no American dream, only an American nightmare. He calls out America's double standards and wants the world to see the reality behind the mask of its ideals. What parts of African American society did Malcolm X want them to control? The dollar is taken from the African-American community and given to outsiders. Malcolm asserts that he and other African Americans are not Americans because they are fighting for the rights that other Americans already have. Malcolm X uses rhetorical techniques to persuade his audience to push for equality between races. "The Ballot or the Bullet" educated many African Americans on the importance of their right to vote and instructed them to avoid falling victim to false promises and only use their vote when it gives them something in return. Malcolm X noted that 1964 was an election year, a year "when all of the white political crooks will be right back in your and my community with their false promises which they don't intend to keep". Stop procrastinating with our study reminders. Malcolm wants the audiences to understand they have the power to change America or still continue to allow the government to control. wordsthat inspire deeply negative or deeply positive reactions. [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]. 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. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. Thesis: In The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X in his telling of his life to Alex Haley uncovers the theme of positive and negative environments unearthed by the interaction of African Americans and White Americans in his life and what those kinds of environments inherently produce. The first 45 seconds of "The Ballot or the Bullet" as given April 12, 1964 in Detroit. Analyzes how malcolm x's ballot or bullet speech was highly esteemed, despite dr. martin luther king being a pacifist and civil rights activist. . Everything south of the Canadian border is the South, he jokes. Not affiliated with Harvard College. As a result, they began to lose hope that non-violent intervention was a reasonable goal. I'm not a Democrat. 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. And anyone who puts forth any effort to deprive you of that which is yours, is breaking the law, is a criminal. 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. Malcolm X is the minister of Muslim Mosque Incorporated, just like Martin Luther King and Adam Clayton Powell are both Christian ministers. On April 3, 1964, human rights activist Malcolm X gave the speech "The Ballot or the Bullet." The speech was . 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. We have to see each other with new eyes. Malcolm uses emotions because he wants the audience to feel the events in America especially when it comes the time to vote. 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. False. [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. 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". [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. Malcolm X fills his speech with imagery (mental images) that has a strong emotional impact, created with the help of metaphors and similes. In 1964, it's the ballot or the bullet. Malcolm X delivered a powerful speech on April 3, 1964 at the Congress of Racial Equality in Cleveland, Ohio. 0; On April 3, 1964 Malcolm X delivered one of the most empowering speeches in American history. Best study tips and tricks for your exams. Read this article to know What is Ballad in Literature, characteristics of a ballad, types of ballads, a ballad in literature, ballad literary definition. In his, "The Ballot or the Bullet" was a public acknowledgment of. So too will the black community win by force, and not by peaceful protest. "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienated white Americans because the media misconstrued Malcolm X's message of self-defense as a call for violence. In these opening paragraphs, Malcolm X calls for increased political participation and awareness in the black community. They don't attack me because I'm a Muslim; they attack me 'CAUSE I'M BLACK. If the ballot doesn't work, Malcolm X says, then African-Americans will have to resort to the bullet. 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". Freedom or civil rebellion ", 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). He made his "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech during April, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. In "The Ballot or the Bullet," Malcolm X clarifies that African Americans have no inherent bias toward the white man; they are "anti-exploitation . I'm not a Republican,", repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, repitition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next clause, using either a familiar object or idea to compare to a less familiar idea to help the listener/reader understand, OR using a well-accepted favorable idea to compare with a less-favorable one to gain audience approval or vice versa, contrast of ideas created through parallel construction of opposite words, phrases, or clauses, "Whether we are Christians or Muslims or nationalists or agnostics or atheists" (The Ballot or the Bullet). This resource includes the annotated text of Malcolm X's famous "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. The Ballot or the Bullet study guide contains a biography of Malcolm X, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. 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. Malcolm X addressed the issue of "rifles and shotguns", a controversy that had dogged him since his March 8 announcement that he had left the Nation of Islam. 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. This marks a meaningful divide between Malcolm Xs ethos and the ethos of the Nation of Islam. Despite their religious, differences, they came together. Southern Democrats had promised to oppose the bill. It was the third bombing in 11 days after Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools. Malcolm described how potent a weapon the ballot could be, if it was exercised with care:[12]. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. The speech is among the top persuasive speeches of the 20th century. has failed and failed and failed the works of freedom. We have to come together with warmth so we can develop unity and harmony that's necessary to get this problem solved ourselves. [5] The Nation of Islam, which advocated on behalf of African Americans, had significant disagreements with the Civil Rights Movement. 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). The most significant modification of Malcolm X's rhetoric that can be observed in "The Ballot or the Bullet" is the broadening of his audience, as he "emphasizes individualized judgement rather than group cohesion"[29] and allows for more analytical "flexibility restrained by a purposive focus on particular goals. He made you think you were going somewhere and you end up going nowhere but between Lincoln and Washington. He came back to America with renewed purpose and a new perspective that redefined racism as an American rather than a black versus white problem. 5- Parallelism: Wrapping Up. 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. Compared to whom we are now. Term Our faith is sure, our resolve is firm, and our union is strong. _____Cole had all *ready *toasted the bagels by the time his parents woke up. Gradesaver has a complete summary of "The Ballot of the Bullet" speech readily available in its study guide for this unit. In its advocacy of voting, "The Ballot or the Bullet" presented ideas opposite to those of the Nation of Islam, which forbade its members from participating in the political process. In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent Congress a civil rights bill. 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 . 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. You can't open up a black store in a white community. It was ranked 7th in the top 100 American speeches of the 20th century by 137 leading scholars of American public address. "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? 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. Was exercised with care: [ 12 ] will run from 20 March until May... 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