About this video

• Video Title: Malcolm X - Ballot or Bullet
• Channel: TheJaredWilcurt
• Speakers: Malcolm X
• Duration: 00:53:37

Overview

This video features a speech by Malcolm X titled "The Ballot or The Bullet." In it, he discusses the political, economic, and social philosophies of black nationalism, emphasizing the need for Black people to control their own communities. He critiques the failures of the American government and white liberals to address the systemic issues faced by Black Americans, advocating for self-help and collective action.

Key takeaways

• Black Nationalism as a Philosophy: Malcolm X defines black nationalism not as a religious doctrine but as a political, economic, and social philosophy focused on self-determination for Black communities.
• Critique of Political System: He argues that the American political system, including both Democratic and Republican parties, has consistently failed Black Americans, and that voting alone without political consciousness and control is insufficient.
• Economic Self-Sufficiency: The speech stresses the importance of Black people owning and operating businesses within their own communities to build wealth and create employment, rather than spending money in communities that do not benefit them.
• Critique of "Civil Rights" vs. "Human Rights": Malcolm X differentiates between civil rights, which he sees as operating within a flawed American legal system, and human rights, which he believes are universal and can be appealed to on an international level, suggesting a move to the United Nations.
• The Ballot or The Bullet: This central theme posits that Black Americans must be prepared to use both political (the ballot) and, if necessary, forceful means (the bullet) to achieve freedom and liberation.

This video features a powerful speech by Malcolm X titled "The Ballot or The Bullet," delivered in 1964. Malcolm X begins by addressing the audience, acknowledging the presence of both friends and perceived enemies. He clarifies his personal position, affirming his Muslim faith and his continued respect for Mr. Muhammad. He identifies himself as the minister of the newly founded Muslim Mosque, Incorporated, in Harlem.

He then draws parallels between himself and other prominent Black leaders like Adam Clayton Powell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Gammis, and Reverend CLE, noting that while they are Christian ministers, they are also recognized as fighters for civil rights. Malcolm X asserts that he, too, is a Muslim minister and a black nationalist fighter. He emphasizes that his religion is a personal matter, governing his private life and morals, but his political, economic, and social philosophy is black nationalism. He argues that focusing on religion would lead to division, whereas black nationalism unites people against a common enemy.

The core of his speech elaborates on the philosophy of black nationalism:

• Political Philosophy: This means Black people should control the politics and politicians within their own communities. The era of white politicians using Black votes for their own gain is over. He stresses the need for political maturity and consciousness to avoid being misled.
• Economic Philosophy: Black people must own and operate the businesses within their communities. He uses the example of white communities not patronizing Black businesses and highlights how spending money outside the community leads to its impoverishment and deterioration. He contrasts this with how companies like Woolworth and General Motors started small and grew, urging Black people to start and develop their own businesses to create local employment.
• Self-Help Philosophy: Malcolm X promotes a "do-it-yourself" philosophy, stating that Black nationalism is a self-help philosophy compatible with any religious or secular belief. It aims to unite Black people by focusing on a common goal rather than religious differences. He explains how changing one's philosophy leads to changes in thought patterns, attitudes, behavior, and ultimately, action. He critiques the idea of "sitting down" and promotes "standing and fighting."

He then discusses the global context, noting that nations in Asia and Africa gained independence through nationalism and that black nationalism is necessary for the liberation of 22 million African Americans who have suffered colonialism for 400 years. He argues that America itself is a colonial power, and second-class citizenship is merely 20th-century slavery.

Malcolm X criticizes the American government and white liberals for failing Black people. He believes that the "We Shall Overcome" mentality is outdated and that it's time for action. He points to the historical struggles of white colonists against the British Empire as an example of fighting for liberty, even against overwhelming odds. He contends that a new generation of Black people is emerging, unafraid to challenge the status quo and indifferent to the "odds."

He addresses the political landscape, particularly the 1964 election year, and the role of the Black vote. He criticizes both the Democratic and Republican parties for being dominated by segregationists and for failing to keep their promises to Black voters. He describes the Democratic Party's strategy of "gerrymandering" in the North and outright oppression in the South as a political con game. He argues that a vote for a Democrat is essentially a vote for a Dixiecrat, and that both Northern and Southern Democrats are part of the same "dog family."

Malcolm X highlights the power imbalance in Congress, where Democrats hold a majority but still fail to pass meaningful civil rights legislation due to the influence of Southern segregationists. He points out that the filibuster against civil rights legislation is a government conspiracy to deny Black people their voting rights. He asserts that the Democratic Party's power is rooted in the South, making them complicit with segregationists.

He concludes by stating that the only way to solve the problem is through unity and black nationalism. He explains that the "divide and conquer" strategy of the white man keeps Black people fighting amongst themselves, whether they advocate for integration or separation. He clarifies that the common goal is freedom. He also critiques the prevalence of "white nationalism" in churches, even some Black churches, which feature white depictions of Jesus and Mary. He encourages joining organizations, including churches, that actively promote black nationalism and uplift Black people, empowering them to control their own communities.

According to Malcolm X, African Americans struggle in a reality characterized by systemic oppression across multiple fronts:

• Political Oppression: They face a government that has failed them, with politicians making false promises, especially during election times. The political system is controlled by segregationists and racists, particularly within the Democratic Party, which uses Black votes but fails to deliver on promises. The mechanisms of the government, like filibusters and gerrymandering, actively work to disenfranchise and disempower Black communities. Malcolm X argues that they have never seen democracy, only hypocrisy.
• Economic Exploitation: Black communities suffer from economic exploitation. Money spent outside the community leads to its impoverishment. Black people have not established sufficient businesses within their own communities, allowing outsiders to control their economy, housing, education, and jobs. This lack of economic control leads to deteriorating neighborhoods, ghettos, and a cycle of poverty.
• Social Degradation: There is a profound social degradation, manifested as second-class citizenship, which Malcolm X equates to 20th-century slavery. Black people are subjected to violence, injustice, and a lack of respect for their fundamental human rights.

Black Nationalism, as described by Malcolm X, is a philosophy and a program that addresses these struggles. It is defined as:

• A political philosophy where Black people control the politics and politicians within their own communities, rather than being controlled by outsiders.
• An economic philosophy focused on Black people owning, operating, and controlling the economy of their communities, leading to self-sufficiency and job creation.
• A social philosophy aimed at uniting Black people, regardless of their religious beliefs, to combat a common enemy and achieve liberation.
• Fundamentally, it is a self-help philosophy that encourages Black people to look to themselves for solutions rather than relying on the oppressor or the existing system.

The key to achieving the goals of equality, according to Malcolm X, lies in a shift towards black nationalism and a comprehensive self-help program. This involves:

• Political Consciousness and Action: Moving beyond passive acceptance and developing political maturity to understand and leverage their voting power strategically. This includes the readiness to use "the ballot or the bullet" – to employ political means, and if necessary, force, to secure their rights.
• Economic Self-Sufficiency: Actively building and supporting Black-owned businesses within their communities to control their economic destiny.
• Unity and Collective Action: Overcoming internal divisions fostered by the "divide and conquer" strategy of the oppressor. Black nationalism aims to unite Black people towards the common objective of freedom.
• Self-Reliance: Recognizing that the existing government and systems have failed them, Black people must rely on themselves to solve their problems. This involves a change in philosophy that leads to a change in thought, attitude, behavior, and ultimately, action.
• Focus on Human Rights: Shifting the struggle from the level of "civil rights" (which operates within the oppressor's jurisdiction) to "human rights," which can be asserted on a global stage, potentially through international bodies like the United Nations.