Rhetorical Analysis Of The Ballot Or Bullet By Malcolm X

Introduction Malcolm X went from a juvenile delinquent to an influential black activist frontrunner whom endured his beliefs. Impending from a rough background finding him self in the streets. He soon found himself in prison for theft and became a Black Muslim and leader for the Nation of Islam. Given the historical context of Ballot of the Bullet and Malcolm X’s background, Malcolm X crafted his speech in response to the Civil Right Act, and at the same time employed certain rhetorical devices to best reach his audience at the time.

Research

Malcolm X, known for his “activist and outspoken public voice” was an African American leader that dedicated his life to the Nation of Islam (Staff History.com). Malcolm grew up

X highlights the prominence of balloting as a explanation to end discrimination against Blacks. Addressing the poor voting decisions and the abjuration of authentic voting rights to Blacks. Religion must not come in the way of justice and need between oneself and God. Malcom X debates these explanations from a Black Nationalist outlook. Black Nationalism, also known as black separatism, is a political and social undertaking which pursues to obtain economic power and form a sense of community among Blacks. Black Nationalism is anti-assimilation, implicating that it is not their goal to completely integrate into white American society. Blacks must own their own businesses and learn to control their own economic prosperity, as well as supporting additional black establishments in order to shape and preserve wealth within there own community. African Americans have not furthered from America’s democracy, instead they have been victimized by American hypocrisy. He unveils that Blacks have not experienced “the American Dream—they’ve faced an American nightmare” (Malcolm X). The speech clarifies the authority of Black people balloting as a unified group. Because government is a contract with the people and the purpose of government is to secure everyone’s individual rights, people have the right to rebel if the government violates the contract. The Ballot or the Bullet speech by Malcolm X was to stimulate his hearing to make action, either by legislation, the ballot, or violence which is the bullet. Malcolm X choice of words is deliberate in order to entice his audience to be active. Malcolm’s tone creates a sense of great importance and the need to get things done in black