The Ballot Or The Bullet

Introduction:

As election year, 1964 was a very ripe time for Malcolm X to have declared the glaring truth.  The height of the time to choose has come – ballot or bullet, liberty or death, freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody.  He challenged his fellow Black Americans to stand for the truth and not be swayed by mere convenience of the so-called American dream and democracy that they so-called enjoy.  This is the speech he made to awaken them.  As “The Ballot or the Bullet” dwells on the social and racial context of the times in the 60’s, it became the platform for Malcolm X to demonstrate the basis of what he believes in and stands for

Preview of main points:

            Malcolm X has therefore and definitely outlined in his speech his organized thought how to achieve social changes in the African American society.  He said that it is Black Nationalism that will honestly, completely and surely emancipate the Black American from inequality, from injustice.

Black Nationalism he said will be the true freedom that they seek.  It is a philosophy that economically calls for solid patronage of each other’s business and economic well being.  It fosters full control of the economy and trade right within the black community.  It is a philosophy that politically calls for maturity amongst its people by containing their neighborhood amongst themselves Black Americans.

Their political leaders must be those that have but the good and only the good of the Black Americans in their will of governance.  Black Nationalism is a philosophy wherein sociologically they will be united towards their cause.  The Black Americans will be united towards becoming more knowledgeable about their condition, their lives, their environment.  They will take steps towards re-education and learning more and more about their country.

What will primarily help the realization of his suggested courses of action would be the agencies of the United Nations.  It is through the mediation of the United Nations that the rights, benefits and privileges of equality and fairness and justice will be achieved within a black American nation.

Audience/Ceremony:

            The speech was delivered on 12 April, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan.  It was a civic community that gathered to hear Malcolm X speak about his cause and call for Black Nationalism.

            The Black Americans are the brothers that Malcolm X was trying to open their eyes and minds about the rightful path towards achieving their honest to goodness true place in the overall society of the United States of America.  The very basic, down to earth Black citizens of Detroit, Michigan who attended and listened to his speech are simple folks.  They were aware of the dilemma they were facing with regards to their inabilities to move around their community without fear of bias and prejudice.

The Speaker:

Malcolm X has been reckoned as a most powerful speaker of his time.  He has been known to be a most diligent and profound thinker.  He took on his own to study and learn about history and the Islamic faith.  He dwelt on various philosophies to understand what would be the better track of thinking to adopt for his cause towards eradication of racial discrimination.

His experiences made him more resolute in his cause.  Sometime in 1958, a Black Muslim in New York City, was badly beaten by the police.  Malcolm X, together with dozen of other young Black Muslims proceeded to the police station to see their brother.  As the police were adamant about obstructing Malcolm X to see their beaten brother, Malcolm X told the police that they will all (the dozens of them) stand vigil in the precinct if their request will not be granted.  And thus, it came to pass their beaten brother was given all the proper and medical treatment necessary.  “Later, commentators said Malcolm was the only black man in America: ‘who could stop a race riot–or start one.’ (“….Malcolm X Would Have Been….”, para 10)

For all purposes and intent towards the struggle of being freed from the bondage of inequality and injustice towards Black Americans, Malcolm X has indeed proven to be the most influential and powerful speaker.

The Style:

“The Ballot or the Bullet” is both motivational, inspirational and persuasive that stirs and awakens the resolve of a citizenry to wisely discern their rightful destiny.  The strength of the persuasion in this speech illustrates the real and challenging conditions of the times in the 60’s.

“It is famed for its powers of verbal and oral communication [that] makes excellent use of the words and language.”  (Famous Quotes, para 1).  It was outlined and delivered with glaring passion and conviction.  The purpose and intent of the message was very clear.

The Values:

            “The Ballot or the Bullet” called for an awakening by the Black Americans.  The speech dwelt on the dark realities that they have been living their lives.  Malcolm X therefore persuaded the Black Americans to rethink their position towards rights.  They were inspired to be brave and committed and take initiatives in finding ways and means to achieve their dreams and goals in the truest sense of the word and not just a lip-service type of achievement.

Conclusion

            A most enigmatic and, ironically, a revered and glorified icon of the search and the fight for freedom, Malcolm X stands at the helm of true greatness.  Inspite of his having had led a certain part of his life as a convicted felon, Malcolm X’s power in his speeches still gave him a place in history.

The focal impact of his speech “The Ballot or the Bullet” was that it was made during a year wherein a critical decision will be made by the Black American citizens.  It was a year that they had the power to change the course of their destiny and eventually earn the freedom they so long for, as it was an election year.

            Thus, “The Ballot or The Bullet” bravely and clearly outlined the necessary and imminent ingredients to win the war of Black Americans against racial bias and prejudice.

Summary of main points:

            The Ballot or The Bullet presented and singular, salutary chance for Black Americans to make a choice.  To aid them in making the rightful choice that will carve their destiny is through the philosophy of Black Nationalism.

Concluding statement:

            Malcolm X and his speeches all through his short-lived young life will go through time and history as the symbol of courage and determination.  “Always charismatic and witty, his words and speeches provided quotes for people with many different social and political goals. His most enduring message remains one of black self-respect and self-help, combined with his uncompromising rejection of racism.”  (Encarta, para 17).

The spirit and context of The Ballot or The Bullet definitely stirs the spirit, the heart and the soul of anyone in a state of enslavery.

Outline:

THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET

Introduction

1964 was a critical year:  it was an election year.  Malcolm X took the opportunity to pose the challenge to Black Americans.  It is a time that will change their lives by making a learned and determined choice between having freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody.

Preview of main points

            Malcolm X presented in his speech his organized thought about Black Nationalism as the way to save the Black Americans from inequality and injustice and racial discrimination.

It is an economic and political philosophy that calls for maturity in making leadership choices and calls for continuing learning and education to achieve the right wisdom to make choices.

The United Nations is the better of all venues to present their fight by means of Black Nationalism.

Audience/Ceremony:

            The speech was delivered on 12 April, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan to a civic Black American civic community, who were simple folks that have faced numerous dilemma about their rightful place in the American society.

The Speaker:

            The power in Malcolm X’s person and speeches is rooted on his incessant pursuit of knowledge by his continuing reading and studying of history and philosophies and the Islamic faith.   For all purposes and intent towards the struggle of being freed from the bondage of inequality and injustice towards Black Americans, Malcolm X has indeed proven to be the most influential and powerful speaker.

The Style:

            The speech is inspirational, motivational and persuasive – made powerful by the realities of events of the 60’s as the tool to illustrate the truth of what The Ballot or the Bullet is challenging the Black Americans.

The Value:

            The speech awakens the Black Americans to courage and commitment to fight for their cause.

Conclusion

            The Ballot or the Bullet is a most challenging thought to Black Americans about making the right choice to spell their rightful place and destiny.

Summary of main points

            Black Nationalism is the tool that will aid Black Americans in directing their path towards achieving equality and justice.

Concluding statement

            Malcolm X and his speeches have become the inspiration and ideal for courage and confidence to fight for what is right.

Works Cited:

“The Ballot or the Bullet”.  Speech of Malcolm X.  12 April 1964

            American Rhetoric.  Top 100 Speeches

            http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/malcolmxballotorbullet.htm

“’The Ballot or the Bullet. It’s Liberty or Death. It’s Freedom for Everybody or Freedom for

Nobody’: Malcolm X Would Have Been 78 Years Old Today.”  Democracy Now!.  19

May 2003

http://www.democracynow.org/2003/5/19/the_ballot_or_the_bullet_its

“The Ballot or the Bullet speech by Malcolm X April 3^rd, 1964”.  Famous Quotes

            http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Malcolm_x/1.htm

Malcolm X,” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008

http://encarta.msn.com