Rhetorical Analysis Of Malcolm X's The Ballot Or The Bullet

The Civil Rights Movement, occurring in the mid-20th century, transpired as a time of intense struggle and injustice in the black community as they clamored with systematic oppression. Using his influence as a prominent leader in the movement, Malcolm X innovated the values and philosophies of America. X had a verifiable mastery of the English language, which granted him the upper hand amongst other activists with less developed language skills. “The Ballot or the Bullet,” one of X’s most famous speeches given in Detroit, Michigan on 12 April 1964, teems with a flabbergasting amount of rhetorical devices. Using matured rhetoric, such as anaphora, contrasting ideas, and repetition, Malcolm X manipulates the masses into a position in which they

Upon the realization that blacks controlled a trifling amount of their lives, X begins to analyze that whites "control the housing . . . the education . . . the jobs . . . the businesses” (X n. pag.). Resulting from this revelation, X cultivated an augmented, self-reliant black population by encouraging independence. Malcolm X later riles the audience by outlining that blacks are “fed up. They’ve become disenchanted . . . disillusioned . . . dissatisfied” (n. pag.). X asserts his discomfort with the situation, and his audience concurs. In unison with the alternative examples, Criticizing his audience for falling into white falsehoods, Malcolm X says that whites "made a chump out of you . . . made a fool out of you . . . made you think you were going somewhere” (X n. pag.). Malcolm’s motive was to reveal that whites showed hospitality but were not trustworthy. X’s alluring anaphora produces an effect of paranoia and distrust, making the audience flock to him and understand the importance of the Civil Rights

Malcolm X gainsays the phrase “the ballot or the bullet” by saying “1964 looks like it might be the year of the ballot or the bullet” (X n. pag.). His juxtaposition of two stances on racial equality illuminates the urgent need for change, whether it be through the path of the ballot or the bullet. The culmination of this maxim resulted in the exact outcome he wished for, and change ensued because of its direct correlation to both the votes cast and the riots that erupted. Proceeding to quote Patrick Henry, X said “Liberty or death was what brought about the freedom of whites in this country from the English. They didn’t care about the odds” (X n. pag.). Malcolm X blazoned that the same outcomes were present in the Civil Rights Movement as in the American Revolution. Resulting from this bold announcement, bounteous individuals cast aside the intimidating odds and feuded for liberty until death. While characterizing the American experience for blacks, X stated “We don’t see any American dream; we’ve experienced only the American nightmare” (n. pag.). With this example, X castigated the American system. This realization influenced much of his audience to amass behind Malcolm X’s beliefs and revoke their titles as American. X’s excellent ability to enlighten people through the presentation of direct opposites allowed him to assemble a loyal party dedicated to