A ballot is like a bullet. If it's necessary to form a black nationalist army, we'll form a black nationalist army. Any time Uncle Sam, with all his machinery for warfare, is held to a draw by some rice eaters, he's lost the battle. The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X April 3, 1964 Cleveland, Ohio. It was the same way in Rhode Island, in Minnesota, and in many other parts of the country. The social philosophy of black nationalism only means that we have to get together and remove the evils, the vices, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other evils that are destroying the moral fiber of our community. Malcolm X says that either “the ballot or the bullet” will come next in the civil rights struggle. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. The ballot or the bullet explains itself. And the white man can't win another war fighting on the ground. It's also a political year. But when you drop that violence on me, then you've made me go insane, and I'm not responsible for what I do. You may say, "Why do you keep saying white man?" I'm not a Republican, and I don't even consider myself an American. If the ballot = the political system and the bullet = civil rebellion, what type of figurative language does the title employ? The ballot or the bullet explains itself. They have a system that's known as gerrymandering, whatever that means. She's supposed to be bad. It's a lot of wealth. And at that time, if we see fit then to form a black nationalist party, we'll form a black nationalist party. This is pitiful. The only reason the Dixiecrats control these committees is because they have seniority. This is our investment. And don't let the white man come to you and ask you what you think about what Malcolm says -- why, you old Uncle Tom. I say again, I'm not anti-Democrat, I'm not anti-Republican, I'm not anti-anything. Let him go in there and denounce the Southern branch of his party. We want to hear new ideas and new solutions and new answers. But before we get into it, since this is the year of the ballot or the bullet, I would like to clarify some things that refer to me per-sonally - concerning my own personal position. We have to come together with warmth so we can develop unity and harmony that's necessary to get this problem solved ourselves. It’s necessary, but not sufficient to solve the problems confronting Black people … Which means segregation is against the law. Don't be throwing out any ballots. The movement’s main policies were peaceful protests and negotiations with the government. Don't wait for next year. Last but not least, I must say this concerning the great controversy over rifles and shotguns. And this was pointed out by the Supreme Court decision. Annotation: In this speech Malcolm X described how Blacks should fight for civil-rights in America. Tell him, don't wait until election time. is a member of Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Whenever you demonstrate against segregation, whether it is segregated education, segregated housing, or anything else, the law is on your side, and anyone who stands in the way is not the law any longer. When you look at it like that, think how rich Uncle Sam had to become, not with this handful, but millions of black people. You may wonder why all of the atrocities that have been committed in Africa and in Hungary and in Asia, and in Latin America are brought before the UN, and the Negro problem is never brought before the UN. "The Ballot or the Bullet" King Solomon Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan - April 12, 1964 . Listen to The Ballot or the Bullet ? If he's for civil rights, let him go into the Senate next week and declare himself. The title "The Ballot or the Bullet" has an underlining meaning. So we will work with you against the segregated school system because it's criminal, because it is absolutely destructive, in every way imaginable, to the minds of the children who have to be exposed to that type of crippling education.