Malcolm X T-shirt
$25.00
- SKU:
- Short-Malcolm-X
- Availability:
- Usually ships within 24 hours
On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X announced his separation from the Nation of Islam (NOI) due to ideological differences, one of which was related to the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm had recently declared his willingness to cooperate with the Civil Rights Movement, and began advising African-Americans to exercise their right to vote in the 1964 presidential election. The NOI, however, forbade its members from participating in the political process.
No longer restricted by the NOI, Malcolm X delivered an historic speech entitled "The Ballot or the Bullet," in which he not only stressed the importance of political education and action amongst African-Americans, but also unity. On two separate occasions in April 1964 — April 3 and April 12 — Malcolm used words to inspire African-Americans to take control of their destiny by taking control of their communities. Today, our Malcolm X t-shirt uses words derived from the speech to depict one of the most iconic and recognizable portraits of Malcolm.
Here are 3 more facts about The Ballot or the Bullet.
1) "The Ballot or the Bullet" is ranked #7 on the Top 100 American speeches of the 20th century. In the speech, which was given on April 3 in Cleveland, OH, and on April 12 in Detroit, MI, Malcolm stressed the importance of political education and political action. He urged African-Americans to recognize the power of their vote in influencing election results, and to use their ballots to make their voices heard by electing officials who would work for their interests.
2) Although the title of the speech suggests an ultimatum between voting or violence, Malcolm doesn't actually push the audience towards violence. Instead, he strove to inspire all African-Americans, regardless of religious background, to work together to control the economy of their own communities stating, "A segregated community is a community in which people live, but outsiders control the politics and the economy. If we own the stores, if we operate the businesses, if we try and establish some industry in our own community, then we’re developing to the position where we are creating employment for our own kind."
3) Malcolm and his powerful word choice in "The Ballot or the Bullet" inspired action for civil rights. Approximately three months after he delivered the speech, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In addition, in the wake of Malcolm’s assassination in 1965, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense (BPP) was founded in October 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The Ten Point Platform upon which the BPP was founded was influenced by Malcolm's philosophies, particularly Point #1: We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our Black Community.
Ladies Fitted T-shirt Details:
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BELLA+CANVAS Women’s The Favorite Tee
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4.2 oz.100% combed and ring-spun cotton
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Slim fit
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Longer body length
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Side seamed
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Shoulder tapping
Unisex Relaxed Fit T-shirt Details:
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BELLA+CANVAS Soft Cotton T-Shirt
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4.2 oz.100% ring-spun cotton
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Longer body length
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Side seamed
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Shoulder tapping
