“The Ballot or the Bullet” Analysis The “The Ballot or the Bullet”, written by Malcom X, was a well written speech that stands out in comparison to some of his other speeches. The style in which the writer/orator, Malcom X, wrote and articulated the speech can be argued as one of the better historical multicultural speeches of its time frame as well as today’s modern era. Because of the erect honesty that is portrayed by Malcom, he really establishes his creditability with the audience. He influences his audience trust in his message by imposing his vision of “The Negro Revolt”. Malcom X is able to capture his audience by using three rhetorical strategies: an appeal to ethos through his humbleness, logistically exploiting the flaws of his opposition, and an appeal to pathos and emotion.
Malcolm X gave his The Ballot or the Bullet speech on April 3, 1964 at a meeting sponsored by the Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality during a period when “race” dominated America’s domestic agenda. At that time, a bill that outlawed segregation
…show more content…
The government, he said, "is responsible for the oppression and exploitation and degradation of Black people in this country.... This government has failed the Negro." According to Malcolm, one of the ways in which the government had "failed the Negro" was its unwillingness to enforce the law. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had outlawed segregation, "Whenever you are going after something that is yours, you are within your legal rights to lay claim to it. And anyone who puts forth any effort to deprive you of that which is yours, is breaking the law is a criminal. And this was pointed out by the Supreme Court decision. It outlawed segregation. Which means a segregationist is breaking the