The Ballot or the Bullet is a seminal speech delivered by Malcolm X in 1964. Its primary emphasis is laid on the pursuit of racial justice in the United States. Malcolm X focuses on the philosophy of Black Nationalism, discussing it outside the context of religious identification. According to him, “if we keep our religion at home, <…> we have a fight that’s common to all of us against an enemy who is common to all of us.” (X 1).
The speech suggests that African American communities are entitled to determine their internal economies, politics, and social life. The overall tone of the piece expresses open disapproval of the white-conditioned political agenda, as “the white liberals who have been posing as our friends have failed” black communities (X 3). Malcolm X adds that the political leaders of the United States gave many false promises, failing to conduct truly inclusive and representative policies.
Consequently, African Americans should take a united stance against systemic discrimination and resolve their issues in a self-governing manner. Malcolm X’s speech is closely connected to the following presidential election, as he deemed it a fitting moment to voice black people’s concerns. Malcolm X draws parallels with the American fight for independence, saying that “it’ll be the ballot or it’ll be the bullet; it’ll be liberty or it’ll be death” (9). Therefore, true liberty from systemic discrimination and societal restraints can be achieved through active resistance to oppression and hypocrisy.
Despite decades of considerable progress, the speech delivered by Malcolm X has remained relevant until today. Each passage is inspired by real observations of the issues faced by African Americans and other communities. The speaker attracts the attention of the audience to the poor performance of the government, providing strong arguments to support the discussion. The emotions, which thread through the speech, cause a strong response within the reader’s mind, making it impossible to remain neutral. Malcolm X’s philosophy is partially separatist in nature, but, at the same time, it is filled with the spirit of unity.
One of the main themes consists of disregarding religion and other secondary factors in favor of the vital objective. While some ideas may appear radical, the overall speech reflects the hardships of African American communities, stemming from centuries of systemic oppression and discrimination.
Work Cited
X, Malcolm. “The Ballot or the Bullet.”. 1964, King Solomon Baptist Church, Detroit.