Malcolm X speeches Analysis
This expanded essay investigates how Malcolm X utilizes a unique and effective language in his political speeches. In addition, the usage of the emotional appeal to unite all the audience and avoid their differences especially in terms of religion. Malcolm X is an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist born in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. He is one of the most dynamic, dramatic influential figures of the civil rights era. That is why I decided to base my essay on three different political speeches written originally in English by Malcolm X: “The Ballot or the Bullet, The House Negro, and the Field Negro, and who taught you to hate yourself. Malcolm X was influenced by his father Earl Little, who was a Baptist minister and a local organizer for the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
The three chosen speeches portray significant issues Malcolm X aimed to raise awareness of. Human rights, self-respect, black nationalism, white oppression, and the nation of Islam are the major themes for the chosen speeches as most of his speeches reflect. Malcolm Xs speeches have had an enormous significance in the success of his mission that left him with a huge audience that respects and follows his lead to protect themselves from white supremacy. Those three speeches are pretty similar and aimed at the same goals Malcolm X was trying to achieve. Although they are very different in terms of several elements such as language, theme, the time they are written, and the audience they address.
The essay will state the main differences and similarities between the three political speeches and how each of them affects his audience. Furthermore, it will illustrate the rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques he uses to explain his political views. Even though Malcolm X uses allegorical and metaphorical language to persuade African Americans, he uses facts and realities to prove what he was saying instead of talking about what is going on, and what people already know. He is direct, clear, and bold to raise awareness and follow-up on the African Americans political maturity without any fear of the consequences. His speeches play a big role in shedding the light on how the government is prohibiting them from the rights they are
entitled to enjoy as human beings, and not just Black people or African Americans.
