Rhetorical Analysis of Ballot or the Bullet Sppech by...

As one of the most proficient civil rights activist of the 1960s, Malcolm X and his speeches were very influential but particularly one speech was highly esteemed, that being the Ballot or the Bullet speech. A speech that was given after the I have A Dream speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. Despite, Dr. Martin Luther King being a pacifist and also a civil rights activist as well; Malcolm X was more tyrannical and advocated the use of violence. During this era, the democrats were in control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, therefore both the Senate and the House of Representatives were leaning towards providing more civil rights to African-Americans. The purpose of Malcolm X’s speech was to convince African Americans to†¦show more content†¦The use of hunkies, polacks and blue eyed thing, which at the time were derogatory words against whites. While he repeats these malicious phrases, he instills a sense of fearlessness amongst the audience and somehow he is also instilling fear in the white community. This is very effective in the speech, because it shows that X is aware that he is very much hated by the white community however, he does cease from his triumphant words. The usage of a slippery slope by X to further enlighten his audience of the need for equality, is evident when X reveals that, Once you change your philosophy, you change your pattern, you change your attitude. Once you change your attitude, it changes you behavior pattern. (X 93) This means that because you change your philosophy, you will also change your entire character. If that is done, do you fully understand the idea of being a free black and not enslaved to mentality that was instilled us by the white supremacists. X assumes that if the philosophy of an individual diminishes, then they will not be as cognitive and fully aware of the rights they are entitled too as being citizens of America. An example of Malcolm X’s use of anaphora is towards the beginning of the speech, when he is explaining his purpose in being there: â€Å"Im not here tonight to discuss my religion. Im not here to try and change your religion. Im not here to argue or discuss anything that we differ about.† By repeating â€Å"I’m not here† at the beginning of