Speech 2

Malcolm X - A Message to the Grassroots - November 10, 1963

Malcolm X gives a passionate speech in his "message to the grassroots". In King Solomon's Baptist Church in Detroit Malcolm X charismatically captivated an excited audience. He associates himself with the crowd and creates a sense of solidarity and unity amongst the audience. He does this by saying, " You don't catch hell because you're Methodist or Baptist. You don't catch hell because you're democrat or republican...You catch hell because you're a black man". He uses his rhetoric to educate and inspire the people on fighting for justice. His form is similar to what Wayne Booth spoke on in which he says, "the art of probing what we believe we ought to believe, rather than proving what is the accordance to abstract methods". Malcolm X was not about abstract ideals at all. He was a realist in his approach and believed in black people soul searching to know the right path. His style and delivery are dynamic as uses epideictic and deliberative rhetoric to persuade the audience to his perspective.

Malcolm X speaks on the dichotomy of the negro past; The 'house' negro and the 'field' negro. He speaks on the differences of the two types and the detrimental affect the 'house' negro has on the black race. He speaks about the hypocritical standpoints white America has on black nationalism. He speaks on how the American Revolution was white nationalism, the french revolution was white nationalism and so forth. They only  have a problem with Revolution when it is against the. He uses mostly logical perspectives to point out the flaws of the American ethos. He does this by attacking the principles of the argument; One of the laws of rebuttal.

Malcolm X's powerful rhetoric is rooted in his truth and rawness. He is a man who is transparent about his character and past transgressions as a man. His moral standpoint is never in question as he walks the words he speaks, giving him more clout as an orator. He speaks confidently, sometimes cocky at times but always holds an air of humbleness. His audience can relate to him because they are just like him, he has seen what they see, and he is a man who has made mistakes. That is why this is a 'message for the grass roots'. It is a message for the common man, the everyday man.