James Tarrell Kelso

On the date of April 3, 1964, Malcolm X delivered a speech to the American public called, The Ballot or the Bullet. Throughout the speech, African-Americans were encouraged to stand up for their rights and vote. He also states that in the event of non-compliance for equality from the government, that they might need to take matters into their own hands and take up the use of arms. This came after Malcolm separated from his decade long position as spokesman for the Nation of Islam. The main goal of the speech was to motivate African-Americans to join the Civil Rights Movement and stop disfranchisement.In the beginning of Malcolms speech he states the fact that he is a Muslim though, he would not talk about religion as it was not important and would simply amount to another means of African-American separation. He continued to say that instead, emphasis would lie on an overall common ground for all African-Americans. He aimed to gain a common understanding that African-Americans should stick together regardless of religion.The name of the speech comes from the ballot to vote and the bullet to use arms if necessary, but it is also the reference of how he related a ballot and a bullet. He said, A ballot is like a bullet. You don't throw your ballots until you see a target, and if that target is not within your reach, keep your ballot in your pocket. He explained the ballot of 1964 as being the time, "When all of the white political crooks will be right back in your and my community ... with their false promises which they don't intend to keep." He further stated that the democrats lied about supporting the civil rights bill and had no real intentions of passing it, that they were simply playing games and using African-Americans as bait.Essentially in a summary of the ballot or the bullet, Malcolm stated that African-Americans must use the ballot or the bullet, they must defend themselves and push for equality, black nationalism and human rights. After voting by 137 top