Dr. Martin Luther Kings Speech

Dr. Martin Luther Kings Speech

Rewrite/Edit this to have the introductory relate to the body paragraphs(make thesis relate to body). Make clear transitions. Provide more context to support argument. Make it on topic.

 

“[I]n the racial climate of this country today, it is anybody’s guess which of the “extremes” in approach to the black man’s problems might personally meet a fatal catastrophe first — “non-violent” Dr. King, or so-called “violent” me.”(Malcom X) The view of violence states the clear difference between Martin Luther King and Malcom X. Dr. King was the most palatable for white America. He had the larger following and, therefore, was the bigger threat. He did not propose or foresee a violent revolution and believed in desegregation as portrayed to in his speech “I have a Dream”. Malcolm X espoused a more violent revolution. He believed that African Americans were facing violence. In his speech “A ballot or a bullet” the tone of his voice is militant. His speech produced a reply to Martins “I have a dream” and shows true rhetoric of opposing Martin himself.

During The Civil Rights Movement, African-American civil rights activists were facing confrontations and aggression from the proponents of segregation; therefore, Malcolm X considered aggressive and confrontational resistance to be necessary. His speech “A ballot or a bullet” he felt that African Americans had to understand that they were all in the same situation, and that there was no difference between the “I” and the “You” he spoke of. The only way out was to stand up as one, and to claim their freedom by violent means.

Malcolm uses several methods to rouse his black audience to anger. One of his main methods, is resonating Martin’s repetition. Whereas Martin repeated the phrase “I have a dream,” Malcolm repeats the words “I am not . . .” The audience echoes these words to itself. The repetition, like the refrain of a hymn, becomes the catch phrase of every black man, woman and child in the room as they identify with Malcolm’s claims. In case they have missed it, he re-emphasizes by using the word “you,” repeating it over and over again. He let’s every individual in the room, every “you” within the sound of his voice, and within the range of his speech as reported in the media, identify with his claim that “I am not an American,” but a victim of “Americanism.” No one escapes the idea—not even his white listeners—that they are hated and despised right along with him (Malcom X).

Malcolm X was no less an orator than Martin Luther King, but his vision was deep and darker. He felt there was no difference between the “I” and the “You” he spoke of. Malcolm was a freedom fighter in the real sense of the term. He appealed to his black audience through emotion and cold, clear logic. He made it exceptionally clear that if Martin’s pacifism didn’t work, then there was an alternative. His message was effective, because it had the desired effect: He roused black anger, on the one hand; and he frightened whites on the other. For the powers that be, there was at last a very clear choice: the ballot, or the bullet.

All in all Malcom used “fighting words.” To call whites “Polacks” and “blue-eyed things” ensured that his words would be reported in the press and carried into the hearts and minds of whites everywhere.(Malcom X) He knew that fear would be struck into their hearts, and that they would reach the conclusion that oppression is not worth dying for. Whether or not Malcolm really wanted civil war is questionable. But he did understand the power of words, and he knew how to make himself heard, and to strike fear and anger into the hearts and minds of his readers everywhere.