Malcolm X: “The Ballot or the Bullet”

( 1964 ) Commentary by Carl Rollyson, Baruch Colelge, The City University of New York

“Today it's time to stop singing and start swinging. You can't sing up on freedom, but you can swing up on some freedom.” - “The Ballot or the Bullet”
“And 1964 looks like it might be the year of the ballot or the bullet.” - “The Ballot or the Bullet”
“We don't see any American dream; we've experienced only the American nightmare.” - “The Ballot or the Bullet”
“But when you go to a church and you see the pastor of that church with a philosophy and a program that's designed to bring black people together and elevate black people—join that church.… If you see where the NAACP is preaching and practicing that which is designed to make Black Nationalism materialize—join the NAACP. Join any kind of organization—civic, religious, fraternal, political, or otherwise that's based on lifting the black man up and making him master of his own community.” - “The Ballot or the Bullet”

Malcolm X (Library of Congress)

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