Malcolm X’s speech of 1964 known as “The Ballot or the Bullet” discusses the importance of voting in order to fight racial discrimination. He expresses his desire for an increase in Black nationalism, and an increase in reliance and dependence among the Blacks, rather than depending on the infrastructure and economy set forth by the Whites. However, he makes it clear that he does not hate the Whites, when he says, “It doesn’t mean that we’re anti-white, but it does mean we’re anti-exploitation, we’re anti-degradation, we’re anti-oppression.” Malcolm X thinks that it is ridiculous how the black peoples’ vote helped place an administration in the government, but in return they received nothing and their priority is of the least concern to the government. He urges for the Blacks to use their constitutional privilege of voting, because their votes are essential in this two-party system of Democrats and Republicans. In the beginning of his speech, his rhetoric is to unite the Blacks as one: “Whether you’re educated or you’re illiterate, whether you live on the boulevard or in the alley, you’re going to catch hell just like I am.” He goes on to say each and everyone of them have been in some way abused by the white man. He believes that being able to unite them for the progress of Black nationalism will counter the oppressive ways of the whites and provide more freedom for themselves.

In this 2016 election, Trump has made various comments on the condition of the Blacks living in America. In a recent campaign speech in Dimondale, Michigan, he said “You’re living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58% of your youth is unemployed — what the hell do you have to lose?” (LoBianco & Killough) He does not mention the oppression, the slavery, or the civil riots of the Blacks throughout America’s long history, instead placing the fault on the African-Americans themselves. His response, however, changed recently in a newer speech, where he assured the African-American community that “I will be your greatest champion. I will never take the African0-American communities for granted. Never, ever.” (Sullivan, O’Keefe, & Zezima) Trump also blames the Democrats for their lack of action in improving the livelihood of the African-American community. His tone and his views have changed greatly within a matter of weeks to receive as many votes as possible. His actions are similar to those warned by Malcolm X in 1964, when he refers to Dixiecrats taking advantage of the Blacks for their votes. A Dixiecrat was a Democrat who did not approve of extending civil rights to minorities. What Trump is doing is similar to the problems that Malcolm X mentions – he seems sincere in improving racial relations even though he had expressed a different opinion not too long ago. He does so as a way to obtain votes even though it is unlikely he has placed the African-American community very high on the priority list. This is why Malcolm X had urged for the Blacks to unite because they face a common problem and by doing so can make a better decision in using the privilege to vote for someone who is more likely to provide a better future for them.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do either of the presidential candidates have any sincerity in improving racial inequality?
2. Do you agree with Malcolm X’s idea of focusing on Black nationalism as a method in improving the livelihood of the Black people?

Works Cited:

LoBianco, Tom, and Ashley Killough. “Trump Pitches Black Voters: ‘What the Hell Do You Have to Lose?'” CNN. Cable News Network, 19 Aug. 2016. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.

Sullivan, Sean, Ed O’Keefe, and Katie Zezima. “Trump Pledges ‘new Deal for Black America'” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2016. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.

Malcolm X’s speech titled “The ballot or the bullet” was one of the most empowering speeches delivered in the American history. The speech was delivered on April 3, 1964 at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The speech was delivered during the time of the election year when previously, white politicians would come out to get votes and make promises which they would not fulfill later. Malcolm X clearly stated at the start of his speech that he is a Muslim but he is not here talk to talk about his religion, instead he said that it’s time for us to submerge our differences and realize that we have a common enemy that just happens to be a ‘White man’. X goes on says, “Now in speaking like this, it doesn’t mean that we’re anti-white, but it does mean we’re anti-exploitation, we’re anti-degradation, we’re anti-oppression. And if the white man doesn’t want us to be anti-him, let him stop oppressing and exploiting and degrading us”. X in his speech emphasized the importance of voting as a means to end discrimination against the black. He says that since the white people are so evenly divided in elections that the Black vote is the deciding factor in elections. He says that we will hold the candidates accountable for their promises. X uses the phrase ‘The ballot or the bullet’ many times during his speech through which he means that we will get are rights through voting or by violence. Each of his claims are backed up by his justification. X says, “I’m not going to sit at your table and watch you eat, with nothing on my plate, and call myself a diner. Sitting at the table doesn’t make you at a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on that plate.”

As the 2016 election is almost a week away, after reading the Malcolm X’s speech, I immediately saw the problems that ‘Muslims’ are facing that was previously seen by Malcolm X in 1964 for ‘Blacks’. Donald Trump’s statement, “Ban all Muslim travel to U.S.” is a reason why Muslims have to carefully consider their vote and have to make their vote count. Donald Trump also said that he would implement a database system tracking all Muslims in the United States. Muslims have found these statement offensive, terrifying, disrespectful, racist and discriminating. Family of a Muslim U.S. soldier stepped forward to speak at the Democratic Convention that their son was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq war. Like Malcolm X said, “Not only did we give of our free labor, we gave of our blood. Every time he had a call to arms, we were the first ones in uniform. We died on every battlefield the white man had. We have made a greater sacrifice than anybody who’s standing up in America today.” Muslims have been fighting alongside the U.S. for a long time. More than 3500 Muslims fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nsenga Knight a New York City Muslim Black resident in an interview with Washington post said, “Muslim is the new black.” Muslims must go out and vote if they want to end this discrimination because their vote matters as said by Malcolm X to Blacks. Muslims vote can be the swinging vote in the 2016 presidential election if Hillary Clinton is in a close tie with Donald Trump.

The Questions:

Would Hillary Clinton keep her promises after being elected or supporting Muslims is just a part of her political campaign?

If you are opposed to P.C culture. Do you think it was fair for Donald Trump to make these statements?

References

Diamond, Jeremy. “Donald Trump: Ban All Muslim Travel to U.S.” CNN. Cable News Network, 8 Dec. 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.

“Muslim Is the New Black.” Voters Reflect on the 2016 Campaign.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2016. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.

Considine, Craig. “Saluting Muslim American Patriots.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 4 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2016

A Comparison of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Give us the Ballot” Speech and Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Launch Speech

In his renowned speech, “Give us the Ballot” given in Washington, D.C. on May 17^th, 1957, Martin Luther King Jr. advocates for African American voting rights, calling on his community to bring about the necessary change to create a society in which “all men will live together as brothers and respect the dignity and worth of human personality”. Although on the surface, this speech is explicitly motivated by the goal of achieving African American suffrage, it also has an overall theme of shaping the country in a way that promotes general equality for all. As in all of his great speeches, King’s rhetoric is powerful and moving, encouraging his audience to feel his message. Speeches such as this were created by King as ways to non- violently protest the injustices that he felt plagued American Society. Rhetorical strategies like the employment of repetition are to be noted as a key example of King using his words as weapons. “Give us the Ballot”, is repeated again and again, every time being followed by a reason that King believes that African Americans are worthy of receiving this chance at equality. In this speech, King utilizes this issue as a microcosm of the country’s overall desperate need for change.

In her 2016 campaign launch speech, Hillary Clinton addresses the same issues as King in a more contemporary setting. Like King, she advocates for the reformation of the unbalance of the American mindset. Because she is the first female presidential nominee in American history, this puts her in a similar position as King. They are both powerful members of groups, which are faced with the inability to access equal rights. They are leaders of communities, promoters of change. In her speech, Clinton refers specifically to the inequalities faced by women in the working world. She claims that “it is way past time to end the outrage of so many women still earning less than men on the job — and women of color often making even less.” She believes, like King, that the current system which currently presides over the American people, is completely misrepresentative and excluding towards many groups of people. Naturally, she also is driven by the idea of change.

These two texts raise similar questions. What is the significance of inequality as it relates to the representation of certain groups in American society? How can we evolve society to reflect a progressive change toward the better? Are people like Hillary Clinton the right people to lead us to this progress?

Bibliography

Frizell, Sam. “Read the Full Text of Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Launch Speech.” Time. Time, 13 June 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.