The Ballot or the Bullet

In this post I would like to compare what has been most helpful in striving for equality for the African American race or if can they coexist. In our reading "The Ballot or the Bullet " by Malcolm X he discusses how he can no longer tolerate the mistreatment blacks were continuously enduring. He presented white America with two options in solving their racial problems'. They could solve the situation peacefully in which he called "The Ballot". They could willingly give African Americans the rights that come with having the term American attached to their title. In his speech he states how he refuses to even claim himself as an American because he is treated as if he is not a citizen. With the "ballot" the problems will be solved literally by ceasing any methods that prevent African Americans from voting. Figuratively, this was a method where no blood will be shed in solving their differences. It is how Dr. Martin Luther King based his platform for his non violence approach. He believed taking the ballot approach would make more of an impact and portray blacks as the victims they are. Likewise, the "Bullet" method takes a completely different approach. It is a more radical way that the Black Panthers favored. They figured if white America could act violently against black citizens, based on the Constitution they had the right to forcefully protect themselves. Using the "bullet" does not mean blacks went out shooting the first white person they saw as Malcolm X states, but not "turn the other cheek"(bible reference). Let us take a journey through Negro-American history.

Harriet Tubman or famously, "The Black Moses", was one of  the earlier revolutionist who preferred to use the more radical method, "The Bullet". She was known for her low tolerance level of nonsense. She noticed the wrong doing in slavery and realized it was not the life she wanted. In her many trips of taking people to freedom she carried a gun that had..."The Bullet". The gun was for whites who tried to stop their journey or tried to capture them, taking them back to their "masters". During those times, blacks only knew captivity so they did not know what to do with freedom, or they were not physically capable to travel from the South to Maryland. It is rumored that she was even willing to shoot blacks who could possibly sabotage their journey to freedom. As a result of her "bullet" method she freed thousands of slaves and was revolutionary in acquiring equal rights for African Americans.

Frederick Douglass took a different approach during this time. He used the "Ballot" method. Instead of using violent tactics, he believed the pen was mightier than the sword. Being a rare gem during that time by being literate, he wrote many compositions discusses the troubles of blacks. He participated in the American Anti-Slavery Society's Hundred Conventions project, a six-month tour of meeting halls throughout the Eastern and Midwestern United States. He told blacks that they did not have to continue living in bondage and that they could strive for equality. With his involvement in politics he became blacks spokesperson and make great strides to better treatment. When he was attacked by an angry mob during a civil rights lecture, because he was known for using the peaceful method he was looked at as a victim of oppression. He words led to urging President Lincoln to abolish slavery. Who is to determine which method is more effective? Spoiler Alert!

(Here is where a twist is going to take place) Dr. King and the Black Panthers were like "Ying and Yang" in the sense of "The Ballot or the Bullet".  Even Though they had different opinions on how Blacks were to accomplish better treatment, they both were a necessity for the race. Some people can have more influence on issues with their pen rather than a sword. If everyone uses their perspective methods and it gets positive results, they can work together. They just have to keep in mind the common goal. In Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Right" he was correct in the sense that they are both methods they can get results, but when you balance them out you can accomplish more.  In this first video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mpFCtftF7c it shows what the Black Panthers wanted for their people. It is similar to what Malcolm X states for his people but describes the Bullet side. This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnoH2psiDhY of Dr. King describes the Ballot Side.  The Ballot and the Bullet both have their places in revolutions such as the continuous Black Movement.