The Dream and the Ballot or the Bullet

The civil rights era as a result of cultural forces and political awakenings created bold speakers. Many of these orators were audacious in their speeches, however few came close to Malcolm X. Malcolm X carried a fearless attitude presenting speeches that have been etched into American History, one the of the most iconic of these speeches was “Ballot or the Bullet” . It embodies ideas of self determination coupled with an intense call to action. The “Ballot or the Bullet” is a great speech because it skillfully straddles the line between inciting violence and inspiring change.

Their two speeches, "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King and "The Ballot or the Bullet" by Malcolm X were given to bring attention to the inequality of African Americans. Both speeches have similarities and differences int the tone the speaker uses, the rhetorical devices illustrated, and their main arguments. First, the two speakers have similarities and differences in their tone. Both are similar in their tone because of their passion for equality.

In 1964, unalienable rights were not given to African Americans, though it was stated in our constitution. Malcolm X made a speech in Cleveland, Ohio, called The Ballot or the Bullet, about this major issue and what needs to be done to ratify this issue. At this point in history African Americans have tried numerous times for a non-violent protest-- nothing has worked for them. Through his use of emotional appeals, ethical appeals, and allusion, he persuades the audience that African Americans that they need to take a stand for their rights, if that means being violent.

It's hard to think that only fifty seven years ago our nation was severely divided by color, and race. At the time African Americans were looked upon as an inferior race to the caucasians, and when the lesser race began to fight back rage took hold of American hearts. During this trying time there were two notable leaders of the black minority, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. Although they both sought the same thing for their people, equality, they each had their own way of going about obtaining it. King was a peaceful man, and was a strong believer in the power of peaceful actions of protest. While on the other hand, Malcolm was a man of action and these actions weren't always peaceful. After reading the two passages above it is easy to see that Malcolm X's plan of action is the best option for the African American people.

Opposeors to Martin Luther King's non-violent forms of protest felt that the Civil Rights Movement was dominated by white people too much and that black people should be more in control over the protests that affect them the most. Whites were heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement on all levels, from senior positions involving planning the strategy and policies of the movement, to white liberals joining the protests and demonstrations. Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam felt that white people were not to be trusted and therefore white people would only harm the struggle for improvement of life for black people. Malcolm X openly criticised the 1963 Civil Rights march on Washington, where Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I have a dream…" speech to over two hundred thousand people. Malcolm X said that the march had been taken over by white liberals: "as they [white liberals] took it over it lost its militancy. It ceased to be angry, it ceased to be hot, it ceased to be uncompromising…it became a picnic, a circus". (11) Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam felt that a more uncompromising solidly black force could achieve far more than the more liberal people of the Civil Rights Movement. This offered an

Malcolm delivered his Ballot to the Bullet speech on the heels of Martin Luther King Jr’s famous I have a dream speech and the Supreme Court’s ratification of the 24th Amendment. This constitutional

Dr. King and Robert Kennedy were both influential leaders during the civil rights movement. The life of these two men were cut short by senseless acts of violence. The day after the assassination of Dr. King, Robert Kennedy gave his speech On the Mindless Menace of Violence. This speech touched on the unnecessary and senseless violence that was happening in our nation at the time. Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech was given to express to citizens nationwide about the injustices happening to African Americans. His speech addressed the concerns and the dreams he had for our nation in the near future. Although, he did not get to see this dream take place, it is our duty as citizens to make this dream happen.

The study of effective writing, speaking and the art of persuasion is known as rhetoric. Throughout time it has preserved its key purpose of educating individuals. Rhetoric not only covers what one could say but also how one might say it. Rhetoric is the use of effective language, which includes pathos, logos, and ethos (Burton). Rhetoric is comprised of five core categories, also known as canons: invention, style, arrangement, delivery, and memory.

As one of the most proficient civil rights activist of the 1960's, Malcolm X and his speeches were very influential but particularly one speech was highly esteemed, that being the Ballot or the Bullet speech. A speech that was given after the "I have A Dream speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. Despite, Dr. Martin Luther King being a pacifist and also a civil rights activist as well; Malcolm X was more tyrannical and advocated the use of violence. During this era, the democrats were in control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, therefore both the Senate and the House of Representatives were leaning towards providing more civil rights to African-Americans. The purpose of Malcolm X’s speech was to convince African Americans to

The two most influential civil rights activists in American history were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. They supported equal rights for every race, but when comparing MLK’s “I Have a Dream’ and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet,” one sees the similarities in their rhetorical styles and differences in their tone and message. As seen in “I Have a Dream,” MLK has a more civilized and peaceful solution to the nation’s problems; whereas in X’s he has a will to do whatever it may take to solve the problems.

The 1960’s, in America, was a time of cultural and racial divide. This sentiment is no more evident than in Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech. In this speech, Malcolm X demanded that his audience should take action against their government leaders. He proposed that there were only two options to resolve this issue, the ballot or the bullet.

Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” was one of the most significant and powerful speeches delivered during the Civil Rights era. X, an advocate for civil rights, was also an influential leader who sought to end the complete and utter degradation of Black Americans. Conflicting with the peaceful and nonviolent Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was another important leader at his time, X believed in using any means necessary, including violence, to accomplish his goals. Because of his controversial methods, X was seen as a radical, causing many to disagree with his tactics. Without a doubt, X was definitely a great leader and excellent orator, regardless of his disputable views. He understood the influence of language and used that to his own advantage, as he created and delivered an inspiring speech to achieve his purpose. In “The Ballot or the Bullet,” X’s appeal to emotion, critical tone, and his overall consideration of his audience convinces Black Americans to hasten their fight for equality.

Like, Martin Luther King. Malcolm X delivered a speech known as “Message to the Grassroots” on November 10th 1963 in Detroit. This speech clearly reflects the differences in viewpoints that these two men carried and how they believed in different ways of bringing equality for blacks. Malcolm believed that there could not be a revolution without violence because that is the only way whites would understand. As stated by Malcolm X, in his speech, “To understand this, you have to go back to what [the] young brother here referred to as

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had a common purpose for African Americans; justice and equality. Illustrated through their speeches, Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” and Malcolm X’s “Talk to Young African Americans”, the two did not share techniques or ideas. Yet both men had the support of millions and millions of people.

Malcolm X delivered “The Ballot or the Bullet,” one of the most inspiring and empowering speeches to ever be spoken on American soil, on April 3, 1964. Two thousand people, including his friends as well as his enemies, came to watch the black civil rights activist speak about black nationalism during the election year. He stressed individual uplift, moral reform, and entrepreneurship. He used this speech as a call to action. He wanted to inspire every member of the black population to be their own person.