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Blake Rodriguez
ENC 1101
5 September 2020
Rhetorical Analysis: Malcolm X Police Brutality Speech
Malcolm X was an African American Muslim minister, along with a human rights
activist. He was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement and advocated for black rights.
Malcom X, born Malcolm Little, spoke for the Nation of Islam a long with the suppression black
people faced during this time period. Along with this, Malcolm held sermons where he preached
self defense and encouraged minorities, specifically those of color, to fight together against their
oppressors. He was known for his enthusiasm and persuasive speaking which enabled Malcolm
to influence many individuals around the nation. On February 21st, 1965 Malcolm X was
assassinated by rival black muslims. “Malcolm X’s Fiery Speech Addressing Police Brutality”
was formed due to the murder of a Nation of Islam member, Ronald Stokes. On April 27, 1962
officers mistook Malcolm along with other muslims removing clothes from a car outside a
mosque located in Los Angeles, California as criminals. This resulted in police raiding the
mosque, shooting seven Muslims, killing one and paralyzing another. On May 20, 1962 Malcolm
X delivered a speech expressing another extent to the black freedom struggle. The purpose of
this text was to spread awareness to those of black and white descent that there is an issue at
hand, in this case police brutality and oppression, and it is time to take a stand. Due to Malcolm’s
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incredible speaking abilities, he was able to use ethos, pathos, and logos to engage the audience
and bring them together.
While Malcolm is speaking to the audience, the camera would tend to switch between the
audience in front of him and Malcolm X himself. This speech took place in what seems to be a
church. The audience consisted of a plethora of black individuals with a few white people
scattered among the crowd. He is speaking to those facing both oppression and injustice, in this
case, people of color. He also was addressing the white individuals as well to educate them that
even though they are not facing these oppressions, it is still going on. Malcolm would use words
such as “you”, “me” and “we” to let those in the crowd know they are not alone. “We are
oppressed, we are exploited… we are denied not only civil rights but even human rights.”
