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Thesis autobiography of malcolm x
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Violence has been a highly controversial topic in philosophical debate. There has been extensive debate about the concept of violence such as what is violence, what constitutes as violence, and what is the appropriate response to violence. Despite the extensive debate, the concept of violence is still unclear; there is no universal concept or idea for violence. This paper will address the concern about what is the appropriate response to violence.
The present account will do the following: (1) analyze a passage from Martin Luther King, Junior’s “Letter from Birmingham,” (2) compare King’s argument to Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet,” and (3) express a position in relation to these two arguments. In order to preserve as much of the author’s
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He declares that such condition ought to be changed and calls for the African American communities “to stop singing and start swinging” (p. 3). In doing so, he embraces a confrontational approach with his endorsement of Black Nationalism (which is the idea that the black community should be the one in charge of their politics and economy) in the face of injustice and racial inequality. He claims that it is imperative that the African American communities be (more) active in the fight for freedom, because the only way to end the oppression by the white nationalism is to fight against the white nationalist government. He proposes a re-education on the political system and the economy in the black communities for the purpose of becoming informed about the options available to them and the possible consequences resulting from those options. Being educated would allow African Americans to be aware that they have the opportunity to make a difference with their voting—“It’ll be the ballot or it’ll be the bullet. It’ll be liberty or it’ll be
“It’ll be the ballot or it’ll be the bullet. It’ll be liberty or it’ll be death.” These are the famous words of Malcolm X in his speech The Ballot or the Bullet. In April, 1964 Malcolm X stood in front of a large crowd in Cleveland, Ohio and explained what the ballot or bullet meant. He was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and fought to make all African-Americans equal. Malcolm X explained to his audience using a great appeal to ethos, pathos and logos that African-Americans should fight for racial economic and social justice without different religion views standing in the way. He told his audience instead of fighting, meaning the bullet, they could vote for their own leaders or better leaders to represent them, meaning the ballot.
The forceful subjugation of a people has been a common stain on history; Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail was written during the cusp of the civil rights movement in the US on finding a good life above oppressive racism. Birmingham “is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known,” and King’s overall goal is to find equality for all people under this brutality (King). King states “I cannot sit idly… and not be concerned about what happens,” when people object to his means to garner attention and focus on his cause; justifying his search for the good life with “a law is just on its face and unjust in its application,” (King). Through King’s peaceful protest, he works to find his definition of good life in equality, where p...
Essay, Philosophy 115, St. Louis. University of California, Berkeley, 1995. Rottenburg, Anne. A. & Co. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Letter From a Birmingham
In 1964, Malcolm X gave a speech entitled “The Ballot or the Bullet” which described how African Americans should fight for civil-rights in America. Malcolm X emphasizes the importance of voting as a solution to ending discrimination against African Americans. He addresses both the poor voting decisions and also the denial of legitimate voting rights to African Americans. Because elections had been so narrowly decided in recent elections, the Black vote is the deciding factor in elections. Whites also have prevented African Americans in the electoral process. Malcolm X says that either "the ballot or the bullet" will come next in the civil rights struggle. This meant that government must allow African Americans to legitimately vote or else violence will be their means to influence government. A second solution to the civil rights struggle was to change the discrimination of African Americans from a civil rights issue to a human rights issue. I feel that in this speech Malcolm X advocates liberal ideas. Because the 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. Since African Americans were denied their civil liberties, either the ballot or the bullet should be next. Blacks will either get their rights or they will rebel against government.
“The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife, – this longing to attain self-consciousness, manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message f...
Now that we have seen the shortcomings of two popular views of violence, Coady proposes his positive account; namely, that we ought to adopt a restricted definition. He begins with a dictionary definition (physical force with intent to damage/injure another), but he then observes that this is too restrictive and that we ought to include some psychological considerations. A restricted definition, Coady argues, is less morally loaded than the other two views given that it allows us to call an act a violent one without being committed (at least not as committed as the other views) to a certain ethical
Malcolm X was one of the most revolutionary black power advocate and civil rights leader in American history. It is the unfairness, the racism, and pain that he experienced in his past that fueled his ability to inspire people through his speech. Malcolm X gave African Americans a hope that one day they would no longer be looked down upon and treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. In April 1964, Malcolm X gave his “Ballot or the Bullet” speech to a group of blacks in Ohio in light of the upcoming November presidential election. In the speech he stressed, How Blacks should fight for civil-rights in America, He also stressed the immediate need for not only the black right to vote, but also vote for blacks equality in the United
King's main thesis in writing the Birmingham letter is that, racial segregation, or injustice to the black American society, is due to the continuous encouragement of the white American society, particularly the powerful communities in politics and religions. King defends his primary thesis all throughout the length of his letter, and the arguments that he has made to prove that his thesis is true and valid will be the focus of this rhetorical analysis.
Seven years prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a famous speech on May 17, named “The Ballot or the Bullet” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of 20,000 people. The speech addressed voting rights for African Americans across the country since so many were denied the American privilege. He argues that there needs to be better leadership in places of need to resolve the issues of racial injustice. King appeals to logic in order to emphasize the lack of robust leadership in places of need such as the government, the Northern White Liberals, and the Black Community.
In his letter, Martin Luther King is trying to persuade his readers to understand his action and point of view of an African-American living in this era. He did so all while replying to the public published statement and criticisms written to him by the eight Alabama clergymen. This illuminating work of art that King had created was filled with heightened terminology which was gratified by his precise framework. By King writing this response letter with such high dialect, it reflects off of his determined and highly educated mentality immensely. In this letter King directly tries to build a connection
The year of 1964 was the peak of the American civil rights movement. There were two well-remembered activists within the civil rights movement. One was supporting civil disobedience, and one for revolution. Martin Luther King a Christian minister, pushed for a peaceful ending to the inequality of the African Americans, while Malcolm X, a Muslim minister, spoke in favor of self-reliance and violence if they didn’t get their rightful freedom. In Malcom X’s speech “The Ballot or the Bullet,” He declares that 1964 is the year of the ballot or the bullet, “liberty or death.” His main purpose of using aggressive language was to unite the African Americans in their civil rights battle against the government that was lead mainly by a white majority. He wanted to convince them that they could have more power as long as they all unite. They would have the power to put a president in the White House, the power to control their communities, and the power to get the freedom that has been denied to them. Malcolm X mentions in his speech that there are two ways that the “Afro-Americans” can get their freedom. Either the “white man” can give it to them, or they can take their freedom through a bloody revolution.
“I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against “outsiders coming in” (738)”, exclaimed Martin Lutheran King Jr. in his essay,” Letter from Birmingham Jail”. King believes in the fact that people’s free will is being oppressed by his society’s authority and
With this statement, he clearly shows that the peace and justice in the United States is not limited only to the white population, but also belongs to the black population.... ... middle of paper ... ... He also uses the powerful words “Free at last” in order to show the importance of the situation of the black population.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free”. Which shows how even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed the African Americans from slavery, they still are not free because of segregation. He then transitions to the injustice and suffering that the African Americans face. He makes this argument when he proclaims, “We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”.
Violence is necessary to maintain a moral society. However this statement remains a contentious issue for many individuals. There are those who view violence as immoral and unnecessary. On the other hand, others view it as necessary only if it translates into benefits for the entire society. However, some individuals remain divided between both sides due to the subjectivity of determining violence’s necessity.