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The Ballot or the bullet
Malcolm X
Cory Methodist Church
Cleveland, Ohio
April 3, 1964
Garret Feucht
COM 250 – Prof. Heins
10/29/15
Garret Feucht
COM 250 – Prof. Heins
10/29/15

(Daniels, 2014) The Ballot or the Bullet is the title of one of the many speeches given by human rights activist Malcolm X. In his speech he focuses on the oppression of the African American, and how African Americans are able to stand up against the illegal segregation. Malcolm also focuses on the African American’s right to vote, and how effective each vote actually is. He also warns the government that if he and his people are not able to vote that they may have to take up arms. The Ballot or the Bullet is among one of Malcolm’s most famous speeches being ranked at number seven in a Top 100 list of speeches in the 20th century. (News, 2008) On May 19, 1925 Malcolm Little was born to parents Earl and Louise Little the fourth of seven children. Born in Omaha, Nebraska the Little family shortly after moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and then to Lansing, Michigan to avoid any further harassment from the Ku Klux Klan. In 1929, just four years after Malcolm was born, the LIttle family house was burned down. This was no accident it was believed to have been burned by members of the Black Legion. At the age of six Malcolm’s father passed away in an automobile accident. Rumors spread that Earl had been murdered by white racists. His mother believed that he was murdered by members of the Black Legion. All this was very disturbing to Malcolm at such a young age and continued to follow him throughout his life. After losing Earl the Little family found it very hard to make ends meet. Louise had to rent out part of her garden and the eldest Little sons hunted game for extra money. After a dispute Louise received life insurance payments of