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. African Americans should be "re-educated into the science of politics" in order to understand the importance and effect of the vote they cast:[12]. He acknowledges that they black people have the power to determine who is in office and who is not. Tell him, don't wait until election time. 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. One of the goals of the Civil Rights Movement was to end disenfranchisement of African Americans, but the Nation of Islam forbade its members from participating in the political process. For example, the speaker uses sarcasm to suggest that European immigrants are better treated than African Americans: Everything that came out of Europe, every blue-eyed thing, is already an American., Repetition is one of Malcolm Xs favorite rhetorical devices. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, and activists like Dennis Peron whose partner died of AIDS in 1990 played key roles in organizing the ballot measure. 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. "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. This government has failed the Negro". Malcolm X uses "if-then" statements and examples designed to evoke emotion to appeal to his audience. In 1964 there was going to be a presidential election. The mood oscillates between despair, anger, and hope. What do we care about odds? Some of them were, some were atheists. Only members can read the full content. [10], Malcolm said that African Americans were becoming "politically mature" and recognizing that, through unity and nonalignment, they could be the swing vote in the coming elections and elect candidates who would be attentive to their concerns:[11]. [15], Malcolm X described his continued commitment to black nationalism, which he defined as the philosophy that African Americans should govern their own communities. 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. But, he said, the police department and local government often sided with segregationists against the Civil Rights Movement. The Ballot or the Bullet essays are academic essays for citation. 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 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. I'm not here to try and change your religion. the democrats were in control of the house of representatives and the senate. driving, working feverishly, pushing, building. What does this mean? Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. . 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 was a civil rights leader before he was assassinated at the age of 40. The text shown above is just an extract. In 1964, it's the ballot or the bullet. 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. Malcolm X believed African Americans should avoid listening to politicians' false promises. True. It was the third bombing in 11 days after Birmingham received a federal order to integrate its schools. 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. Malcolm X, a Muslim, credits Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam, with making him into the man he is today. "The Ballot or the Bullet" is a speech that Malcolm X first delivered at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3, 1964. . Everything that came out of Europe, every blue-eyed thing, is already an American. His views in this speech reflect the beliefs he held before completing his Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. 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. [23], But, Malcolm said, there was still time to prevent this situation from developing:[23]. 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 made his "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech during April, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ballot or the Bullet, Part 2 Summary and Analysis. Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates. I'm not a Democrat. 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. Relying on peaceful protests such as sit-ins castrates the black man, says Malcolm. The economic philosophy of black nationalism promotes African-American control of the economy of the African-American community. Why did "The Ballot or the Bullet" alienate white Americans? 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. Black Nationalism: an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. Malcolm X, a Muslim, credits Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam, with making him into the man he is today. 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. Why was "The Ballot or the Bullet" important? This resource includes the annotated text of Malcolm X's famous "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. Our faith is sure, our resolve is firm, and our union is strong. 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. Coversational/familiar language particular to a particular region or dialect. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. Instead of promoting peace to solve problems, Malcolm X used violence when necessary to get his points across to his audience. Malcolm . (The Ballot or the Bullet) Definition Parallelism (Repitition) 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. 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. This resource includes the annotated text of Malcolm X's famous "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. Whereas the Civil Rights Movement advocated on behalf of integration and against segregation, the Nation of Islam favored separatism. "(I Have a Dream Speech). anti-degradation . 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. Let it be the ballot or the bullet. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Let him know that it must be the ballot or the bullet. He says non-violence is foolish when an opponent approaches with violence. 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. the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. Not affiliated with Harvard College. It outlawed segregation. ", "He made a chump out of you. One sentence he said stuck out like a sore thumb. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. 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. Through his triumph and survival of the murder of his father in 1931 when he was six years old, but also educating himself in prison which he was in for seven years from the ages 21-28 (Draper 7).With this story, it inspired people in the various ethnic communities, and neighborhoods. "The Ballot or the Bullet" was delivered at a church in Cleveland, Ohio, to a crowd that included African Americans and white Americans. 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 They're all in cahoots together". Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair were killed when a bomb detonated in Birmingham, Alabama, in the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. [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]. There he is standing up in front of other people, Uncle Sam, with the blood of your and mine mothers and fathers on his hands, with the blood dripping down his jaws like a bloody-jawed wolf", Ap Lang Rhetorical Strategies -- "The Ballot, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Exploration/Colonization - American Revolution. 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. When a racial powder keg goes off, it doesn't care who it knocks out of the way. An old man can sit. Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes. Malcolm Xs speech was an effective example of pathetic because he understands the mindset that the audience is in, and knows what to say to excite them about his cause. "that's what we are -- Africans who are in America. 1964, against a backdrop of segregation and social unrest. His speech The Ballot or the Bullet, was about black nationalism during the current election year. 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. Malcolm X uses a combination of logic and emotion to appeal to his audience. in "the Ballot or the Bullet" with Malcom X. what made the speaker qualified to give this speech. White men won't even patronize you. He also explains that if the government continues to take away the rights of African-Americans, that the entire population of African-Americans should take up arms. 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. First he says, It. 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 bill proposed a ban on discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs and public accommodations. 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. Publicly, his criticisms of the system fell on mostly deaf ears. ", "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. repetition of the first word of a clause at the end of the same clause, intentional repitition of 3 or more consanant sounds among nearby words, "If we don't do something real soon, I think you'll have to agree that we're going to be forced either to use the ballot or the bullet. The Ballot or the Bullet essays are academic essays for citation. Summary of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech. Being a black nationalist, Malcolm X says, does not require you to give up any of your personal organizational affiliations. His subject was Negro rights, and he was speaking to the African American population. I'm not here to argue or discuss anything that we differ about,", "I'm not a politician, not even a student of politics; in fact, I'm not a student of much of anything. He made his The Ballot or the Bullet speech during April, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. A photograph of legislators and civil rights leaders looking on as Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964, pixabay. These cover over 30,000 members. . Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persnlichen Lernstatistiken. 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. If he's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate next week and denounce the Southern branch of his party. 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. StudySmarter is commited to creating, free, high quality explainations, opening education to all. [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. 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. 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. [6], Malcolm also chose not to discuss the religious differences that divide Muslims and Christians, a common theme of his speeches when he was the spokesman for the Nation of Islam. The Ballot or the Bullet is a speech delivered by Malcolm X in 1964. Example: (Your, Youre\underline{\textit{You're}}Youre) surprised that I knew that Notah Begay won a PGA golf tournament in 1999. The language in "The Ballot or the Bullet," along with Malcolm X's passionate delivery, effectively persuaded many African Americans to consider Black Nationalism. It was very influential speech that . 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. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X. What is Malcolm X's rhetorical strategy in The Ballot or the Bullet? 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. Two thousand people including some of his enemies turned out to hear him speak in Cleveland, Ohio. He tells the crowd that they first need to set aside differences to focus on their common issue the white man. 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. has failed and failed and failed the works of freedom. He was also muslim. That old Uncle Tom action is outdated. You can subscribe to whichever religious beliefs youd like, and remain a member of whichever civic organizations youd like. Let the world know the hypocrisy that's practiced over here. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. The young generation don't want to hear anything about the odds are against us. 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. Well, you and I been sitting long enough, he claims, and its time for us today to start doing some standing and some fighting to back that up.. Malcolm X closes by defining his goal as a Black Nationalist who wants African Americans to gain political, economic, and social control over their communities. 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. an ideology that African Americans should separate from white America and form their own institutions. Malcolm speaks from a personal perspective. 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 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. Essays for citation over here n't want to hear him speak in Cleveland, Ohio presidential election believed... 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