Malcolm X Speech Analysis

In an interview with Malcolm X, outlined in his book The End of White World Supremacy Four Speeches by Malcolm X, he calmly states: “When it comes to telling the truth about what the white man is doing to the black people in this country I’ll tell it and go to jail myself.”(114) Those powerful words showed the world what type of a man Malcolm X was, and how he is dedicated to fighting for black rights. Malcolm X was a devoted civil rights advocate, whose primary goals were to improve the livelihood of his followers and fellow African Americans, as well as to end the white supremacy. In his book, he includes four main speeches that helped drive his campaign forward. These speeches were given in the 1960’s where racism was an avid concern to

African Americans, as it is now. His speeches were used to fight racism, and to prove to his audiences that his plan to end racism is superior than any other way. To influence his audiences, he used religious references, repetition, as well as proving the character of his organization and fellow African Americans. Malcolm X fought to change the way America viewed African Americans, but before he was able to finish the fight, he was assassinated on February 21, 1965. Even though that horrid event occurred, his speeches have a long-lasting influence in the fight with racism. This was done with the effective way he used religion in his speeches.
In his fight to end racism, Malcolm X became a lead spokesmen for the Nation of Islam. Where their goal was to use religion to aid in their battle against racism. Malcolm X used religious references in his speeches, as an effective way to persuade his audience to follow his viewpoint. Malcolm X understood that religion is something people use to be able to cope with stressful and tragic events such as all the hate crimes against African Americans. His audiences were under a lot of stress, and he was able to relieve their stress with religion. Ultimately, he made them believe in his viewpoint as well to keep following him. His use of religious references can be clearly seen in this statement,
The only way that you can become confused, that you can become mixed up and not know which religion belongs to God, is if you don’t know history. In fact, you have to know history to know something about God. You have to know history to know something about God’s religion. You have to know history to know something about God’s people.You have to know history to know something about God’s plans and God’s purpses, and, as I say, the only people who don’t know history are the American so-called Negros. If you know history, for example, you know when you look at this religion right here [writes “Christianity” on the blackboard] the only way you can explain it is to have a knowledge of history(28)
In this piece, it is very clear what Malcolm X is trying to accomplish. He wants his audience to understand, in order to end the subjugation of African Americans, that they need to learn more about themselves and their history. This can be closely seen in this sentence, “ You have to know history to know something about God’s people.” He mentions history as well as religion, to drive his point, and to help relieve some stress with the events going on in the world around them. The effect of religious references played a major role in Malcolm X’s speeches; however as seen above, the use of repetition also plays a key role.
Repeating oneself is often used as a way to make sure a point is remembered.

But repetition also plays a greater role; it can lead to more positive outlook on a viewpoint in an argument. The use of repetition is seen in many historical speeches, and is seen multiple times in the speeches of Malcolm X. Malcolm X used repetition to make his speeches more memorable, as well as to appeal more to his audiences. One example is when he states, “Mosque when you hear us using the term “black” we mean everybody who’s here, regardless of your complexion.”(24) Know in this sentence he mentions the word “black” once; however, in the rest of the speech, he mentions it thirteen more times. He does this after he claims that “black” means everybody here no matter the complexation. This is major key in his campaign for more rights for African Americans. By making the word “black” be a more universal word, and not to be used as a degrading word. It empowers his audience, and by repeating multiple times, it allows the audience to remember this feeling of empowerment. Also by repeating it, he makes it something his audience will greatly agree with it. He also does this every time he mentions Elijah Muhammad. He states “The religion that The Honorable Elijah Muhammad is teaching us here in America Today.”(25) This is one example of how Malcolm X addresses Elijah Muhammad, be saying “The Honorable” every time. Malcolm X does this to make him more memorable to the audience as well as to better

prove the character of his organization.
The way people are seen plays a major role on how effective they will be. Character is an important quality people look for in leaders. It can lead them to be more trustworthy, so more people will listen to their ideas and follow them. This is a goal of Malcolm X’s, to approve the character of the organization, as well to approve the way African Americans see themselves. To improve the character of his organization, The Nation of Islam, he shows the character of the leader. Elijah Muhammad was the leader of the Nation of Islam, as well as the mentor to Malcolm X. To promote Elijah Muhammad, he always states “The Honorable” before saying the rest of his name. This shows the audience the respect Malcolm X has for him, which will lead to the audience to respect him more as well. Additionally, it will lead people to respect the Nation of Islam more, and to really believe in their message. However, Malcolm X also tries to improve the way African Americans see themselves by stating,
There are black people in America who have mastered the mathematical sciences, have become professors and experts in physics, are able to toss sputniks out there in the atmosphere, out in space. They are masters in that field. We have black men who have mastered the field of medicine, we have black men who have mastered other fields, but very seldom do we have black men in America who have mastered the knowledge of the history of the black man himself.
In this quote, Malcolm X shows how black man are successful in many different fields. He does this to show his audience how great they truly are and to end the disbelief that they are lower than white people. However, in the end he states, “ but very seldom do we have black men in America who have mastered the knowledge of the history of the black man himself.” He ends this to show that professionals have something learn, and to enhance the importance of learning the history of themselves. That is one of Malcolm X’s main points in many of his speeches, and a way he believes they can end racism.
Malcolm X’s fight to end racism was a long and hard one, and is something he devoted his life to.

In the end, his speeches are remembered as things that helped change history. He used his speeches as weapons to aid him in the fight against racism, and as a way to improve the livelihood of African Americans. To do this, he uses, religious references, repetition, as well as proving the character of his organization and fellow African Americans. Malcolm X used a different approach to fight racism instead of the peaceful and patient approach many others used. Malcolm X wanted to take a stand, and force change to happen. To empower his followers, to take a stand with him, he stated, “ a man who stands for nothing will fall for

anything.”(115)