Rhetorical Analysis Of The Ballot Or The Bullet

“The Ballot or the Bullet” Rhetorical Analysis Essay Delivered in 1964, during a time when the civil rights movement was in a frenzy with growing tensions between white and black Americans, Malcolm X was resolved to declare his speech titled “The Ballot or the Bullet.” This speech urges Black voters to speak up, share their stories, unify them, and protest against oppressive systems of government. In contrast to other well-known activists, like Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Galamison, Malcolm X is willing to use violence to achieve his goals. Nevertheless, Malcolm X uses his unique perspective to open the eyes of Black people to the necessary actions they must take soon. By diminishing his own reputation, showing Black people the power of their vote, and compiling all Black voters into a
He doesn’t talk down to them; he doesn’t boast about himself; he doesn’t have to compensate for a weak argument like others. Malcolm X is so confident in his beliefs that he explains that he is “not a politician, not even a student of politics,” emphasizing how blatantly obvious their problem is, showing the asinine ignorance of white people, and building skepticism of the current politicians. Mocking white politicians with how they can write a better speech than they can. Most of the people in the crowd are not politicians and would feel ostracized if Malcolm X presented himself as a well-known politician. He further drives his point home by describing his whole speech as his “humble way of understanding.” His humility builds credibility with the crowd and leads them to question the political system that white people have imposed on them. Malcolm X grew up in segregated schools and didn’t have the highest quality of education, so accepting his background resonates with his crowd. He is unashamed of where he came from and shows the audience that they don’t have to be either; they can fight for the right to be