Malcolm X: "The Ballot or the Bullet" by Anna P.

annapichler2 — 2023-11-12 18:41:45 UTC

"The title of Malcolm X’s speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” suggests an ultimatum between voting or violence, an attempt by the speaker to convince the audience that one action or the other is absolutely necessary depending on the actions of the enemy – in this case, the U.S. government."

(https://cmsw.mit.edu/angles/2021/the-ballot-or-the-bullet/#:~:text=The%20title%20of%20Malcolm%20X%27s,this%20case%2C%20the%20U.S.%20government.)

annapichler2 — 2023-11-12 20:14:06 UTC

What are the most galvanising phrases in this speech?
How did his particular choice of words or the speech as a whole influence the audience in regard to the civil rights movement?
(Were the people encouraged? Did they react with violence?)

annapichler2 — 2023-11-12 20:28:21 UTC

What different narration tools did he use to capture the audience’s attention?
How did his personal history and his background influence the credibility of his narrations?

annapichler2 — 2023-11-12 21:00:54 UTC

Which arguments does Malcolm X put forth with regard to the situation of African Americans in the USA?
Are there any arguments that you disagree with?

annapichler2 — 2023-11-12 21:05:32 UTC

annapichler2 — 2023-11-13 15:35:11 UTC

Which expressions did Malcolm X use in reference to the United States?
How are these expressions employed in the speech? What is their effect?

Tools

dirlingerviktoria — 2023-11-16 13:52:19 UTC

rethorical devices

repetition

rhetorical questions

references to history

metaphors

maxzierhut — 2023-11-16 13:54:43 UTC

political and economic empowerment
self-defense
unity among African Americans
African Americans are still not considered American
seperation and segregation

Background

dirlingerviktoria — 2023-11-16 13:56:02 UTC

member of the Nation of Islam

conversion to Islam

criminal past

civil rights leader