Celeste Michelle Condit & John Louis Lucaites argues that, Malcolm X the most thorough and relentless revolutionary dissident of the 1960s, who loudly implored his Black brothers and sisters to use “all means necessary” to bring about social and political justice and equality for Black America. It was impossible to know whether or not Malcolm X’s evolutionary vision would ever have produced a positive and peaceful program of political action capable of effectively organizing, motivating, and directing Black America against the system that oppressed it, for he was robbed of the opportunity to try at the age of 39.…
Dr. King and Malcolm X wanted equality for the African American people. They just had different points of views. When it came down to economy Malcolm used Black Nationalism, meaning that the blacks should keep the money they make within the black community. In the “Ballot or the Bullet”, Malcolm uses the rhetorical strategy of logos and pathos to appeal to his audience. He appeals to all blacks, whether Christian, Muslim, or even atheist. Dr. King on the other thinks that segregation itself should be demolished and that both races become one.…
In the excerpt from Malcolm X’s “Message to Grassroots,” Malcolm X uses effective stylistic devices such as colorful figurative language, effective repetition, and powerful diction to persuade his audience of his argument. Malcolm X feels strongly that America has treated the people of color unjustly, and he is angry about it. He is arguing that minorities need to forget their differences, so they can unite in a common cause to gain equality and liberty. Too, he says blacks, and other “unwanted people,” should wake up to reality. They must understand they are being treated unfairly, and by doing so, can “plot a course” to become educated and therefore have the ability to defend themselves against white oppression. Malcolm’s masterful use of language makes his speech effective.…
Malcolm X says, “Minorities are all in the same boat and we all are going to catch the same hell from the same man. He just happens to be a white man. All of us have suffered here, in this country, political oppression at the hands of the white man, economic exploitation at the hands of the white man, and social degradation at the hands of the white man.” Malcolm X uses Logos and Pathos by saying this. This is an example of Pathos because Malcolm X is able to make the audience angry and inspired. Malcolm X is able to make the population angry creating the opposite result of Martin Luther King Jr. Another example of this is shown when Malcolm X tells the audience, “Not only did we give of our free labor, we gave of our blood. Every time he had a call to arms, we were the first ones in uniform. We died on every battlefield the white man had.” By stating that all men have suffered from the “White Man” and that African Americans gave their blood,” he is able to appeal to the senses of logic of the audience by making the measures seen as logical. When says , “Let the world know how bloody his hands are. Let the world know the hypocrisy that's practiced over here. Let it be the ballot or the bullet. Let him know that it must be the ballot or the bullet.” He repeats the word “Let” to create a rhythm in his…
His militant advocacy of self-defense that deprives African Americans of basic human rights, helped radicalized other black leaders of the civil rights movement. The X in Malcolm x name represents the unknown name of his African ancestors and their culture that had been lost during slavery. The reason why Malcolm X did not believe in non-violence Because Martin Luther King Jr’s peaceful approach at gaining civil rights and failed, so many blacks including Malcolm X believed that to gain power they needed to make something happen, which turned out to be violence.(Johnson 12) Also Malcolm x believe in the right of African Americans. He wanted to show the crimes that the white people in America were doing against the African Americans. He also wanted to bring attention to the important things performed by African Americans. The reason why he is important because he wanted to reach out to young Americans that felt like the civil right was not achieving anything and he made civil right a civil right movement. Malcolm X view of violence was if anyone uses violence on you first then you should always defend yourself with the violence that is being used to keep you alive.…
The death of the great Malcolm X was a most tragic day. On February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom where he was gunned down by three men, one of the gunmen was a member of the Nation of Islam Talmadge Hayer (Journal, 2014). Malcolm X was a great leader not because he wanted equality but because he wanted unity among blacks in America. His words were mush wiser than those of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This is because Mr. X wasn’t afraid to take actions were deemed necessary. Though peace is good, can one really fight violence with peace? This is the question I believe Malcolm X was trying to answer. As many whites try to stop our movement by violence and murder Malcolm X was the only one courageous enough to give them a taste of their own medicine! Some might argue that Malcolm X’s…
His intended audience was the African American community. He establishes his credibility by encouraging his entire audience to put their differences aside, so that we can all come together as one. By showing his audience that he does take this cause serious, he openly tells his audience that he is Muslim and is aware that his audience may not share the same beliefs as him. However, Malcolm informs his audience that he is willing to put his religious beliefs aside, by stating “we all should keep our religious beliefs in the closet and between ourselves and with our God” By Malcolm, being so open with his audience shows them that he is willing to give up something he cares about in order to come together as a union to achieve his purpose. Right after Malcolm gave his speech, he quickly became an alarming figure towards the African American community across the nation, since he had prompted numerous African-Americans to utilize force. He states, "Don’t be throwing out any ballots. A ballot is like a bullet. 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” To understand his frustration, this speech was given during the Civil Rights Movement. He wanted all African Africans to exercise…
Back in the 1960s, Malcolm X was an influential public speaker. He protested for equal rights of African Americans. At that time, in the United States, African Americans did not have the same rights as white people. He had a rough upbringing; he was born into a large family and had eight siblings. By the time he was twelve years old, his mother had been sent to a mental hospital, and his father had been killed after being hit by a car. He then spent the rest of his childhood in foster homes. In 1946 he was then arrested for stealing and was sent to prison. This is believed to be a significant motive for making his speeches.…
Even though some people thought that Malcolm X was an “uncompromising” leader, he was a very vital participant in the civil rights movement. He didn’t follow the nonviolent movement. “Instead of nonviolence in the face of anti-black attacks, he called for self-defense” (Ali, para.3). This supports his famous quote “by any means necessary”. According to Zaheer Ali, X wanted to bring all African-American people together and create a…
When people hear the name Malcolm X, the first thing that comes to their mind is “extremist.” But in fact, he was a teacher. Malcolm X taught Blacks to think for themselves and not allow others to think for them. He did not want Blacks believing everything that the “blonde hair, blue eyed devil” said. He educated them that everything that the newspaper said, was not real, as they should not be convinced that it was. He strongly emphasized his point in saying, “And as soon as they put the word American in there, that was supposed to lend it some respectability or legality.” Throughout his life experiences and constant reading and studying, he teaches the Black community to guard their minds against the tricks of the press. This analysis will explore Malcolm X, his purpose of speaking to the crowd, and his…
In the 1960s, were years that many events happened in America. America was involved in the civil rights movement, a war, political distress and media broadcasting. Many of these involvements created many bias for many of historical figures during those years. In the 1960s, Malcolm X did shape America in different aspects. Hence, Malcolm X was considered a man with different facets. How did America’s society and the media interpret Malcolm X’s message during the 1960s? Malcolm X’s intentions were mislead by the media. According to Walter Lippmann, in the 1960s, the media could be a nightmare by broadcasting their own stories. Malcolm was not only victimized by police corruption, but demean by media. What did Malcolm X do in the 1960s to be considered a Civil Right leader? Malcolm X spoke the truth. The truth was that the justice system, political leaders, and none-violence movement leaders were not doing or accomplishes anything for African Americans’ rights. Malcolm X was directing and motiving African Americans to fight for the rights. Malcolm X’s motives might have been considered malicious. As a result, Malcolm X did affect the system. What does Malcolm X’s legacy entails? After 50 years have passed, Malcolm X’s legacy continues. Many movements against racism and police brutally have used Malcolm X’s motives. An article in New York Time titled What Would Malcolm X think? It writes, ‘Malcolm didn’t create…
On the date of April 3, 1964, Malcolm X delivered a speech to the American public called, The Ballot or the Bullet. Throughout the speech, African-Americans were encouraged to stand up for their rights and vote. He also states that in the event of non-compliance for equality from the government, that they might need to take matters into their own hands and take up the use of arms. This came after Malcolm separated from his decade long position as spokesman for the Nation of Islam. The main goal of the speech was to motivate African-Americans to join the Civil Rights Movement and stop disfranchisement.In the beginning of Malcolms speech he states the fact that he is a Muslim though, he would not talk about religion as it was not important and would simply amount to another means of African-American separation. He continued to say that instead, emphasis would lie on an overall common ground for all African-Americans. He aimed to gain a common understanding that African-Americans should stick together regardless of religion.The name of the speech comes from the ballot to vote and the bullet to use arms if necessary, but it is also the reference of how he related a ballot and a bullet. He said, A ballot is like a bullet. 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. He explained the ballot of 1964 as being the time, "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." He further stated that the democrats lied about supporting the civil rights bill and had no real intentions of passing it, that they were simply playing games and using African-Americans as bait.Essentially in a summary of the ballot or the bullet, Malcolm stated that African-Americans must use the ballot or the bullet, they must defend themselves and push for equality, black nationalism and human rights. After voting by 137 top…
Malcolm was a strong believer of self defense . He was known for causing violent protest and many ridiculed him for his past which was full of crime. Malcolm told his followers that they needed to defend themselves to the fullest by any means necessary. When asked about the issue he said "It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself, when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks. It is legal and lawful to own a shotgun or a rifle. We believe in obeying the law." Malcolm X was taught by his Muslim leader that beloved that the white man was the devil . However after going on a trip to Mecca he was enlightened and saw that the blacks and whites there loved each other and tested each other like they were of the same color. He later returned to the US with a changed heart and went about creating peace with…
He also believes that hate that was seen among black people is a reaction to the hate of society that has rejected them. When Malcolm was asked if the God of Muslims and of the Jews and the Christians ate the same God? Malcolm believed and said that “If they believe in the same God who created the universe, then we all believe in the same God.” Malcolm meant by this that we are all the same and believe in the same God but might call God with different names according to the religion but does not change the fact that we all believe in one God. He also believes in a society in which people can live like human beings on the basis of quality. He wanted the African Americans to be treated in the same way and have their rights as human beings because that’s what they…
“The greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people around specific goals. You have to wake the people up first, then you’ll get action.” Malcolm X the African American to fight for race pride and black nationalism by going around speaking to African americans. Malcolm X has been a proud African american just like me, and that's why he’s my hero.…