选票还是子弹(Malcolm : The Ballot or the Bullet)

英语演讲稿

马尔科姆·艾克斯于1925年出生在美国内布拉斯加州东部的奥马哈市，少年时期是个不学无术的街头混混，贩毒、吸毒、滥交、抢劫、杀人几乎无恶不作。终于自食恶果，被抓入监狱。入狱后，他居然从看字典开始，学习了世界历史，哲学，政治，自然科学等方面的知识，并参加了黑色穆斯林组织。出狱后，他投身黑人运动，成为声望仅次于马丁·路德·金的黑人运动领袖。

马尔科姆原是穆斯林组织“伊斯兰民族”的头领，他到处发表演讲，强调族裔对立，把什么事都往种族冲突上拉，煽动黑人对白人的仇恨。到后来他醒悟、放弃暴力、并和腐败的教主进行抗衡，不再强调仇恨；而是追求黑人和白人之间的沟通、理解、博爱，但却遭到自己原先效忠的组织的暗杀。宗教带给他强大的力量，他所表现出的永远是那么坚强、自信；他的言行举止永远显示出他的火一般的激情和永不言败的信念。他的生命充满了斗争与愤怒，但同时又涌动着热情与博爱。马尔科姆总能够用犀利的语言，针针见血地击中问题的要害。

此篇演讲发表于1964年4月3日，此前的1964年3月，马尔科姆与极端派的黑色穆斯林组织“伊斯兰民族”决裂。此演讲发表后短短10个月的1965年2月21日，在曼哈顿奥特朋舞厅的一个报告会上，“伊斯兰民族”组织派出的三名歹徒连开15枪残忍地杀害了马尔科姆。

It’llbethetheballotorit’llbethebullet.It’llbelibertyorit’llbedeath.Andifyou’renotreadytopaythatpricedon’tusethewordfreedominyourvocabulary.

是选票还是子弹。是自由还是死亡。如果你还没有准备付出代价，那么就请不要说什么自由。

演讲全文：TheBallotortheBullet/MalcolmX

Mr.Moderator,ReverendCleage,BrotherLomax,brothersandsisters,andfriendsandIseesomeenemies.Infact,Ithinkwe’dbefoolingourselvesifwehadanaudiencethislargeanddidn’trealizethatthereweresomeenemiespresent.

Thisafternoonwewanttotalkabouttheballotorthebullet.Theballotorthebulletexplainsitself.Butbeforewegetintoit,sincethisistheyearoftheballotorthebullet,Iwouldliketoclarifysomethingsthatrefertomepersonally--concerningmyownpersonalposition.

I''''mstillaMuslim.Thatis,myreligionisstillIslam.MyreligionisstillIslam.IstillcreditMr.MohammedforwhatIknowandwhatIam.He’stheonewhoopenedmyeyes.Atpresent,I''''mtheMinisterofthenewlyfoundedMuslimMosque,IncorporatedwhichhasitsofficesintheTeresaHotel,rightintheheartofHarlem--that’stheblackbeltinNewYorkcity.AndwhenwerealizethatAdamClaytonPowellisaChristianminister,he’sthe--heheadsAbyssinianBaptistChurch,butatthesametime,he’smorefamousforhispoliticalstruggling.

AndDr.KingisaChristianMinister,inAtlanta–orfromAtlantaGeorgia--orinAtlanta,Georgia,buthe’sbecomemorefamousforbeinginvolvedinthecivilrightsstruggle.There’sanotherinNewYork,ReverendGalamison--Idon’tknowifyou’veheardofhimouthere–he’saChristianMinisterfromBrooklyn,buthasbecomefamousforhisfightagainstasegregatedschoolsysteminBrooklyn.ReverendClee,righthere,isaChristianMinister,hereinDetroit.He’stheheadofthe“FreedomNowParty.”

AlloftheseareChristianMinisters--AlloftheseareChristianMinisters,buttheydon’tcometousasChristianMinisters.Theycometousasfightersinsomeothercategory.

I’maMuslimminister--thesameastheyareChristianMinisters--I’maMuslimminister.AndIdon’tbelieveinfightingtodayinanyonefront,butonallfronts.

Infact,I’mablackNationalistFreedomFighter.

Islamismyreligion,butIbelievemyreligionismypersonalbusiness.Itgovernsmypersonallife,mypersonalmorals.AndmyreligiousphilosophyispersonalbetweenmeandtheGodinwhomIbelieve;justasthereligiousphilosophyoftheseothersisbetweenthemandtheGodinwhomtheybelieve.

Andthisisbestthisway.Werewetocomeoutherediscussingreligion,we’dhavetoomanydifferencesfromtheoutstartandwecouldnevergettogether.Sotoday,thoughIslamismyreligiousphilosophy,mypolitical,economic,andsocialphilosophyisBlackNationalism.YouandI--AsIsay,ifwebringupreligionwe’llhavedifferences;we’llhavearguments;andwe’llneverbeabletogettogether.Butifwekeepourreligionathome,keepourreligioninthecloset,keepourreligionbetweenourselvesandourGod,butwhenwecomeouthere,wehaveafightthat’scommontoallofusagainsta[sic]enemywhoiscommontoallofus.

ThepoliticalphilosophyofBlackNationalismonlymeansthattheblackmanshouldcontrolthepoliticsandthepoliticiansinhisowncommunity.The--Thetime--Thetimewhenwhitepeoplecancomeinourcommunityandgetustovoteforthemsothattheycanbeourpoliticalleadersandtelluswhattodoandwhatnottodoislonggone.

Bythesametoken,thetimewhenthatsamewhiteman,knowingthatyoureyesaretoofaropen,cansendanothernegrointothecommunityandgetyouandmetosupporthimsohecanusehimtoleadusastray--thosedaysarelonggonetoo.

ThepoliticalphilosophyofBlackNationalismonlymeansthatifyouandIaregoingtoliveinaBlackcommunity--andthat’swherewe’regoingtolive,causeassoonasyoumoveintooneoftheir--soonasyoumoveoutoftheBlackcommunityintotheircommunity,it’smixedforaperiodoftime,butthey’regoneandyou’rerightthereallbyyourselfagain.

Wemust--Wemustunderstandthepoliticsofourcommunityandwemustknowwhatpoliticsissupposedtoproduce.Wemustknowwhatpartpoliticsplayinourlives.Anduntilwebecomepoliticallymaturewewillalwaysbemislead,leadastray,ordeceivedormaneuveredintosupportingsomeonepoliticallywhodoesn’thavethegoodofourcommunityatheart.

SothepoliticalphilosophyofBlackNationalismonlymeansthatwewillhavetocarryonaprogram,apoliticalprogram,ofre-educationtoopenourpeopleseyes,makeusbecomemorepoliticallyconscious,politicallymature,andthenwewill--wheneverwegetreadytocastourballotthatballot,willbecastforamanofthecommunitywhohasthegoodofthecommunityofheart.

TheeconomicphilosophyofBlackNationalismonlymeansthatweshouldownandoperateandcontroltheeconomyofourcommunity.Youwouldneverfound--youcan’topenupablackstoreinawhitecommunity.Whitemenwon’tevenpatronizeyou.Andhe’snotwrong.He’sgotsenseenoughtolookoutforhimself.Youtheonewhodon’thavesenseenoughtolookoutforyourself.

Thewhiteman--Thewhitemanistoointelligenttoletsomeoneelsecomeandgaincontroloftheeconomyofhiscommunity.Butyouwillletanyonecomeinandtakecontroloftheeconomyofyourcommunity,controlthehousing,controltheeducation,controlthejobs,controlthebusinesses,underthepre-textthatyouwanttointegrate.No,yououttayourmind.

Thepolitical,theeconomicphilosophyofBlackNationalismonlymeansthatwehavetobecomeinvolvedinaprogramofreeducationtoeducateourpeopleintotheimportanceofknowingthatwhenyouspendyourdollaroutofthecommunityinwhichyoulive,thecommunityinwhichyouspendyourmoneybecomesricherandricher;thecommunityoutwhichyoutakeyourmoneybecomespoorerandpoorer.

AndbecausetheseNegroes,whohavebeenmislead,misguided,arebreakingtheirneckstotaketheirmoneyandspenditwithTheMan,TheManisbecomingricherandricher,andyou’rebecomingpoorerandpoorer.Andthenwhathappens?Thecommunityinwhichyoulivebecomesaslum.Itbecomesaghetto.Theconditionsbecomerundown.Andthenyouhavetheaudacitytocomplainaboutpoorhousinginarun-downcommunity.Whyyourunitdownyourselfwhenyoutakeyourdollarout.

AndyouandIareinthedouble-track,becausenotonlydowelosebytakingourmoneysomeplaceelseandspendingit,whenwetryandspenditinourowncommunitywe’retrappedbecausewehaven’thadsenseenoughtosetupstoresandcontrolthebusinessesofourowncommunity.Themanwho’scontrollingthestoresinourcommunityisamanwhodoesn’tlooklikewedo.He’samanwhodoesn’tevenliveinthecommunity.SoyouandI,evenwhenwetrytospendourmoneyintheblockwhereweliveortheareawherewelive,we’respendingitwithamanwho,whenthesungoesdown,takesthatbasketfullofmoneyinanotherpartofthetown.

Sowe’retrapped,trapped,double-trapped,triple-rapped.Anywherewegowefindthatwe’retrapped.Andeverykindofsolutionthatsomeonecomesupwithisjustanothertrap.ButthepoliticalandeconomicphilosophyofBlackNationalism--theeconomicphilosophyofBlackNationalismshowsourpeopletheimportanceofsettinguptheselittlestoresanddevelopingthemandexpandingthemintolargeroperations.Woolworthdidn’tstartoutbigliketheyaretoday.Theystartedoutwithadimestoreandexpandedandexpandedandthenexpandeduntiltoday,they’rearealloverthecountryandallovertheworld,andtheygettosomeofeverybody’smoney.

NowthisiswhatyouandI--GeneralMotorsissameway.Theydidn’tstartoutliketheyitis.Itstartedoutjustalittleratracetypeoperation.Anditexpandedanditexpandeduntiltodaywhereitisrightnow.AndyouandIhavetomakeastartandthebestplacetostartisrightinthecommunitywherewelive.

Soourpeoplenotonlyhavetobereeducatedtotheimportanceofsupportingblackbusiness,buttheblackmanhimselfhastobemadeawareoftheimportanceofgoingintobusiness.AndonceyouandIgointobusiness,weownandoperateatleastthebusinessesinourcommunity.Whatwewillbedoingisdevelopingasituationwhereinwewillactuallybeabletocreateemploymentforthepeopleinthecommunity.Andonceyoucancreatesomeemploymentinthecommunitywhereyouliveitwilleliminatethenecessityofyouandmehavingtoactignorantlyanddisgracefully,boycottingandpicketingsomepracticesomeplaceelsetryingtobeghimforajob.

Anytimeyouhavetorelyuponyourenemyforajob--you’reinbadshape.Whenyouhave--heisyourenemy.Letmetellyou,youwouldn’tbeinthiscountryifsomeenemyhadn’tkidnappedyouandbroughtyouhere.

Ontheotherhand,someofyouthinkyoucamehereontheMayflower.

Soasyoucanseebrothersandsisters,today--thisafternoon,itisnotourintentiontodiscussreligion.We’regoingtoforgetreligion.Ifwebringupreligion,we’llbeinanargument,andthebestwaytokeepawayfromargumentsanddifferences--asIsaidearlier--putyourreligionathome--inthecloset.

KeepitbetweenyouandyourGod.

Becauseifithasn’tdoneanythingmoreforyouthanithas,youneedtoforgetitanyway.

Whetheryouare--WhetheryouareaChristian,oraMuslim,oraNationalist,weallhavethesameproblem.Theydon’thangyoubecauseyou’reaBaptist;theyhangyou''''causeyou’reblack.Theydon’tattackmebecauseI’maMuslim;theyattackme''''causeI’mblack.Theyattackallofusforthesamereason;allofuscatchhellfromthesameenemy.We’reallinthesamebag,inthesameboat.Wesufferpoliticaloppression,economicexploitation,andsocialdegradation--allofthemfromthesameenemy.Thegovernmenthasfailedus;youcan’tdenythat.Anytimeyouliveinthetwentiethcentury,1964,andyouwalkin''''aroundheresinging“WeShallOvercome,”thegovernmenthasfailedus.

Thisispartofwhat’swrongwithyou--youdotoomuchsinging.Todayit’stimetostopsingingandstartswinging.Youcan’tsinguponfreedom,butyoucanswinguponsomefreedom.CassiusClaycansing,butsingingdidn’thelphimtobecometheheavy-weightchampionoftheworld--swinginghelpedhimbecometheheavy-weightchampion.Thisgovernmenthasfailedus;thegovernmentitselfhasfailedus,andthewhiteliberalswhohavebeenposingasourfriendshavefailedus.

Andonceweseethatalltheseothersourcestowhichwe’veturnedhavefailed,westopturningtothemandturntoourselves.Weneedaselfhelpprogram,ado-it-yourselfphilosophy,ado-it-right-nowphilosophy,ait’s-already-too-latephilosophy.ThisiswhatyouandIneedtogetwith,andtheonlytime--theonlywaywearegoingtosolveourproblemiswithaself-helpprogram.Beforewecangetaself-helpprogramstartedwehavetohaveaself-helpphilosophy.

Blacknationalismisaself-helpphilosophy.What''''sissogoodaboutit?Youcanstayrightinthechurchwhereyouareandstilltakeblacknationalismasyourphilosophy.Youcanstayinanykindofcivicorganizationthatyoubelongtoandstilltakeblacknationalismasyourphilosophy.Youcanbeanatheistandstilltakeblacknationalismasyourphilosophy.Thisisaphilosophythateliminatesthenecessityfordivisionandargument.''''Causeifyouareblackyoushouldbethinkingblack,andifyouareblackandyounotthinkingblackatthislatedate,wellI’msorryforyou.

Onceyouchangeyourphilosophy,youchangeyourthoughtpattern.Onceyouchangeyourthoughtpattern,youchangeyour--yourattitude.Onceyouchangeyourattitude,itchangesyourbehaviorpatternandthenyougoonintosomeaction.Aslongasyougottasit-downphilosophy,you’llhaveasit-downthoughtpattern,andaslongasyouthinkthatoldsit-downthoughtyou’llbeinsomekindofsit-downaction.They’llhaveyousittingineverywhere.It’snotsogoodtorefertowhatyou’regoingtodoasasit-in.Thatrighttherecastratesyou.Rightthereitbringsyoudown.What--Whatgoeswithit?What--Thinkoftheimageofsomeonesitting.Anoldwomancansit.Anoldmancansit.Achumpcansit.Acowardcansit.Anythingcansit.WellyouandIbeensittinglongenough,andit’stimetodayforustostartdoingsomestanding,andsomefightingtobackthatup.

Whenwelooklike--atotherpartsofthisearthuponwhichwelive,wefindthatblack,brown,red,andyellowpeopleinAfricaandAsiaaregettingtheirindependence.They’renotgettingitbysinging“WeShallOvercome.”No,they’regettingitthroughnationalism.ItisnationalismthatbroughtabouttheindependenceofthepeopleinAsia.EverynationinAsiagaineditsindependencethroughthephilosophyofnationalism.EverynationontheAfricancontinentthathasgottenitsindependencebroughtitaboutthroughthephilosophyofnationalism.Anditwilltakeblacknationalism--thattobringaboutthefreedomof22millionAfro-Americanshereinthiscountrywherewehavesufferedcolonialismforthepast400years.

AmericaisjustasmuchacolonialpowerasEnglandeverwas.AmericaisjustasmuchacolonialpowerasFranceeverwas.Infact,Americaismoresoacolonialpowerthantheybecauseshe’sahypocriticalcolonialpowerbehindit.

Whatis20th--What--Whatdoyoucallsecondclasscitizenship?Why,that’scolonization.Secondclasscitizenshipisnothingbut20thcenturyslavery.Howyougonnatellmeyou’reasecondclasscitizen.Theydon’thavesecondclasscitizenshipinanyothergovernmentonthisearth.Theyjusthaveslavesandpeoplewhoarefree.Well,thiscountryisahypocrite.Theytryandmakeyouthinktheysetyoufreebycallingyouasecondclasscitizen.No,you’renothingbuta20thcenturyslave.

Justasittooknationalismtomove--toremovecolonialismfromAsiaandAfrica,it’lltakeblacknationalismtodaytoremovecolonialismfromthebacksandthemindsof22millionAfro-Americanshereinthiscountry.

And1964lookslikeitmightbetheyearoftheballotorthebullet.

Whydoesitlooklikeitmightbetheyearoftheballotorthebullet?BecauseNegroeshavelistenedtothetrickery,andthelies,andthefalsepromisesofthewhitemannowfortoolong.Andthey’refedup.They’vebecomedisenchanted.They’vebecomedisillusioned.They’vebecomedissatisfied,andallofthishasbuiltupfrustrationsintheblackcommunitythatmakestheblackcommunitythroughoutAmericatodaymoreexplosivethanalloftheatomicbombstheRussianscaneverinvent.

Wheneveryougotaracialpowderkegsittinginyourlap,you’reinmoretroublethanifyouhadanatomicpowderkegsittinginyourlap.Whenaracialpowderkeggoesoff,itdoesn’tcarewhoitknocksouttheway.Understandthis,it’sdangerous.

Andin1964thisseemstobetheyear,becausewhatcanthewhitemanusenowtofoolusafterheputdownthatmarchonWashington?Andyouseeallthroughthatnow.Hetrickedyou,hadyoumarchingdowntoWashington.Yes,hadyoumarchingbackandforthbetweenthefeetofadeadmannamedLincolnandanotherdeadmannamedGeorgeWashingtonsinging“WeShallOvercome.”Hemadeachumpoutofyou.Hemadeafooloutofyou.HemadeyouthinkyouweregoingsomewhereandyouendupgoingnowherebutbetweenLincolnandWashington.

Sotoday,ourpeoplearedisillusioned.They’vebecomedisenchanted.They’vebecomedissatisfied,andintheirfrustrationstheywantaction.

Andin1964you’llseethisyoungblackman,thisnewgenerationaskingfortheballotorthebullet.ThatoldUncleTomactionisoutdated.Theyounggenerationdon’twanttohearanythingabouttheoddsareagainstus.Whatdowecareaboutodds?

Whenthiscountryherewasfirstbeingfoundedtherewere13colonies.The--Thewhiteswerecolonized.Theywerefedupwiththistaxationwithoutrepresentation,sosomeofthemstoodupandsaid“libertyordeath.”ThoughIwenttoawhiteschooloverhereinMason,Michigan,thewhitemanmadethemistakeoflettingmereadhishistorybooks.HemadethemistakeofteachingmethatPatrickHenrywasapatriot,andGeorgeWashington,wasn’tnothingnon-violentaboutoldPatorGeorgeWashington.

LibertyordeathwaswhatbroughtaboutthefreedomofwhitesinthiscountryfromtheEnglish.Theydidn’tcareabouttheodds.WhytheyfacedthewrathoftheentireBritishEmpire.AndinthosedaystheyusedtosaythattheBritishEmpirewassovastandsopowerfulwhenthesun--thesunwouldneversetonthem.Thisishowbigitwas,yetthese13little,scrawnystates,tiredoftaxationwithoutrepresentation,tiredofbeingexploitedandoppressedanddegraded,toldthatbigBritishEmpire“libertyordeath.”

Andhereyouhave22millionAfro-AmericanblackpeopletodaycatchingmorehellthanPatrickHenryeversaw.AndI’m--I’mheretotellyouincaseyoudon’tknowit--thatyougotanew--yougotanewgenerationofblackpeopleinthiscountrywhodon’tcareanythingwhatsoeveraboutodds.Theydon’twanttohearyouoldUncleTomhandkerchiefheadstalkingabouttheodds.No.Thisisanewgeneration.Ifthey’regonnadrafttheseyoungblackmenandsendthemovertoKoreaorSouthVietnamtoface800millionChinese--ifyou’renotafraidofthoseodds,youshouldn’tbeafraidoftheseodds.

WhyisAmerica--Whydoesthisloomtobesuchanexplosivepoliticalyear?Becausethisistheyearofpolitics.ThisistheyearwhenallofthewhitepoliticiansaregoingtocomeintotheNegrocommunity.Youneverseethemuntilelectiontime.Youcan’tfindthemuntilelectiontime.They’regoingtocomeinwithfalsepromises,andastheymakethesefalsepromisesthey''''regonnafeedourfrustrationsandthiswillonlyservetomakemattersworse.

I’mnopolitician.I’mnotevenastudentofpolitics.I’mnotaRepublican,noraDemocrat,noranAmerican,andgotsenseenoughtoknowit.I’moneofthe22millionblackvictimsoftheDemocrats,oneofthe22millionblackvictimsoftheRepublicans,andoneofthe22millionblackvictimsofAmericanism.AndwhenIspeak,Idon’tspeakasaDemocrat,oraRepublican,*noranAmerican.*IspeakasavictimofAmerica’sso-calleddemocracy.YouandIhaveneverseendemocracy;allwe’veseenishypocrisy.WhenweopenoureyestodayandlookaroundAmerica,weseeAmericanotthroughtheeyesofsomeonewhohave--whohasenjoyedthefruitsofAmericanism,weseeAmericathroughtheeyesofsomeonewhohasbeenthevictimofAmericanism.Wedon’tseeanyAmericandream;we’veexperiencedonlytheAmericannightmare.Wehaven’tbenefitedfromAmerica’sdemocracy;we’veonlysufferedfromAmerica’shypocrisy.Andthegenerationthat’scomingupnowcanseeitandarenotafraidtosayit.

Ifyou--Ifyougotojail,sowhat?Ifyoublack,youwereborninjail.Ifyoublack,youwereborninjail,intheNorthaswellastheSouth.StoptalkingabouttheSouth.Longasyousouthofthe--LongasyousouthoftheCanadianborder,you’resouth.

Don’tcallGovernorWallaceaDixiegovernor;RomneyisaDixiegovernor.Twenty-twomillionblackvictimsofAmericanismarewakingupandthey’regaininganewpoliticalconsciousness,becomingpoliticallymature.Andastheybecome--developthispoliticalmaturity,they’reabletoseetherecenttrendsinthesepoliticalelections.

Theyseethatthewhitesaresoevenlydividedthateverytimetheyvotetheraceissoclosetheyhavetogobackandcountthevotesalloveragain.Andthat--whichmeansthatanyblock,anyminoritythathasablockofvotesthatsticktogetherisinastrategicposition.Eitherwayyougo,that’swhogetsit.You’reinapositiontodeterminewhowillgototheWhiteHouse,andwhowillstayinthedoghouse.You’retheonewhohasthatpower.YoucankeepJohnsoninWashingtonD.C.,oryoucansendhimbacktohisTexascottonpatch.You’retheonewhosentKennedytoWashington.You’retheonewhoputthepresentDemocraticAdministrationinWashingtonD.C.Thewhiteswereevenlydivided.Itwasthefactthatyouthrew80percentofyourvotesbehindtheDemocratsthatputtheDemocratsintheWhiteHouse.

Whenyouseethis,youcanseethattheNegrovoteisthekeyfactor.Anddespitethefactthatyouareinapositiontobethedeterminingfactor,whatdoyougetoutofit?TheDemocratshavebeeninWashingtonD.C.onlybecauseoftheNegrovote.They’vebeendowntherefouryears,andthereallotherlegislationstheywantedtobringuptheybroughtitupandgottenitoutoftheway,andnowtheybringupyou.Andnow,theybringupyou.Youputthemfirst,andtheyputyoulast''''causeyou’reachump,apoliticalchump.

InWashingtonD.C.,intheHouseofRepresentativesthereare257whoareDemocrats;only177areRepublican.IntheSenatethereare67Democrats;only33areRepublicans.ThePartythatyoubackedcontrolstwo-thirdsoftheHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenate,andstilltheycan’tkeeptheirpromisetoyou,''''causeyou’reachump.Anytimeyouthrowyourweightbehindthepoliticalpartythatcontrolstwo-thirdsofthegovernment,andthatPartycan’tkeepthepromisethatitmadetoyouduringelectiontime,andyou’redumbenoughtowalkaroundcontinuingtoidentifyyourselfwiththatParty,you’renotonlyachump,butyou’reatraitortoyourrace.

Andwhatkindofalibidotheycomeupwith?TheytryandpassthebucktotheDixiecrats.Nowbackduringthedayswhenyouwereblind,deaf,anddumb,ignorant,politicallyimmature,naturallyyouwentalongwiththat.Buttodayasyoureyescomeopen,andyoudeveloppoliticalmaturity,you’reabletoseeandthinkforyourself,andyoucanseethataDixiecratisnothingbutaDemocratindisguise.

Youlookatthestructureofthegovernmentthatcontrolsthiscountry;it’scontrolledby16senatorialcommitteesand20congressionalcommittees.Ofthe16senatorialcommitteesthatrunthegovernment,10ofthemareinthehandsofSouthernsegregationists.Ofthe20congressionalcommitteesthatrunthegovernment,12oftheminthe--areinthehandsofSouthernsegregationists.Andthey''''regoingtotellyouandmethattheSouthlostthewar.

You,today,have--areinthehandsofagovernmentofsegregationists,racists,whitesupremacistswhobelongtotheDemocraticparty,butdisguisethemselvesasDixiecrats.ADixiecratisnothingbutaDemocrat.WhoeverrunstheDemocratsisalsothefatheroftheDixiecrats,andthefatherofallofthemissittingintheWhiteHouse.IsayandIsayitagain:YougotaPresidentwho’snothingbutaSouthernsegregationistfromthestateofTexas.They’lllynchyouinTexasasquickasthey’lllynchyouinMississippi.Onlyin--inTexastheylynchyouwithaTexasaccent;inMississippitheylynchyouwithaMississippiaccent.

Andthefirstthingthecrackerdoeswhenhecomesinpower,hetakesalltheNegroleadersandinvitesthemforcoffeetoshowthathe’salright.AndthoseUncleTomscan’tpassupthecoffee.Theycomeawayfromthecoffeetabletellingyouandmethatthismanisalright''''causehe’sfromtheSouth,andsincehe’sfromtheSouthhecandealwiththeSouth.Lookatthelogicthatthey’reusing.WhataboutEastland?He’sfromtheSouth.MakehimthePresident.Hecan--IfJohnsonisagoodmanfromthe''''causehe’sfromTexas,andbeingfromTexaswillenablehimtodealwiththeSouth,EastlandcandealwiththeSouthbetterthanJohnson.Oh,Isayyou’vebeenmislead.Youbeenhad.Youbeentook.

IwasinWashingtonacoupleweeksagowhiletheSenatorswerefilibustering,andInoticedinthebackoftheSenateahugemap,andonthismapitshowedthedistributionofNegroesinAmerica,andsurprisinglythesameSenatorsthatwereinvolvedinthefilibusterwerefromthestateswheretherewerethemostNegroes.Whyweretheyfilibusteringthecivilrightslegislation?BecausethecivilrightslegislationissupposedtoguaranteevotingrightstoNegroesinthosestates,andthosesenatorsfromthosestatesknowthatiftheNegroesinthosestatescanvote,thosesenatorsaredownthedrain.TheRepresentativesofthosestatesgodownthedrain.AndintheConstitutionofthiscountryithasastipulationwherein,whenevertherights,thevotingrights,ofpeopleinacertaindistrictareviolated,thentheRepresentativewho’sfromthatparticulardistrict,accordingtotheConstitution,issupposedtobeexpelledfromtheCongress.Now,ifthisparticularaspectoftheConstitutionwasenforced,whyyouwouldn’thaveacrackerinWashingtonD.C.ButwhatwouldhappenwhenyouexpeltheDixiecrat,you’reexpellingtheDemocrat.WhenyoudestroythepoweroftheDixiecrat,you’redestroyingthepower--poweroftheDemocraticParty.SohowintheworldcantheDemocraticPartyintheSouthactuallysidewithyouinsincerity,whenallofitspowerisbasedinthe--intheSouth?

TheseNorthernDemocratsareincahootswiththeSouthernDemocrats.They’replayingagiantcongame,apoliticalcongame.Youknowhowitgoes.Oneofthem--oneofthemcomestoyouandmakesbelievehe''''sforyou,andhe’sincahootswiththeotheronethat’snotforyou.Why?Becauseneitheroneofthemisforyou,buttheygottomakeyougowithoneofthemortheother.Sothisisacongame.Andthisiswhatthey’vebeendoingwithyouandmealltheseyears.

FirstthingJohnsongotofftheplanewhenhebecomePresident,heasked“Where’sDicky?”Youknowwho“Dicky”is?DickyisoldSoutherncrackerRichard--RichardRussell.Lookhere,yes.LyndonB.Johnson’sbestfriendistheonewhoisthehead,who’sheadingtheforcesthatarefilibusteringcivilrightslegislation.YoutellmehowinthehellishegoingtobeJohnson’sbestfriend?HowcanJohnsonbehisfriend,andyourfriendtoo?No,thatmanistootricky.EspeciallyifhisfriendisstilloldDicky.

WhenevertheNegroeskeeptheDemocratsinpower,they’rekeepingtheDixiecratsinpower.Isthistrue?AvoteforaDemocratisnothingbutavoteforaDixiecrat.Iknowyoudon’tlikemesayingthat,butI,I’mnotthekindofpersonwhocomeheretosaywhatyoulike.I’mgoingtotellyouthetruth,whetheryoulikeitornot.

Uphere,intheNorthyouhavethesamething.TheDemocraticpartydon’t--don''''tdoit.Theydon’tdoitthatway.Theygotathinkthattheycallgerrymandering.They--Theymaneuveryououtofpower.Eventhoughyouvote,theyfixitsoyou’revotingfornobody;they’vegotyougoingandcoming.IntheSouth,they’reoutrightpoliticalwolves.IntheNorth,they’repoliticalfoxes.Afoxandawolfarebothcanine,bothbelongtothedogfamily.Nowyoutakeyourchoice.YougoingtochooseaNortherndogoraSoutherndog?BecauseeitherdogyouchooseIguaranteeyouyou’llstillbeinthedoghouse.

ThisiswhyIsayit’stheballotorthebullet.It’slibertyorit’sdeath.It’sfreedomforeverybodyorfreedomfornobody.Americatodayfindsherselfinauniquesituation.Historically,revolutionsarebloody.Oh,yes,theyare.Theyhaven’tneverhadablood-lessrevolution,oranon-violentrevolution.Thatdon’thappeneveninHollywood.Youdon’thavearevolutioninwhichyouloveyourenemy,andyoudon’thavearevolutioninwhichyouarebeggingthesystemofexploitationtointegrateyouintoit.Revolutionsoverturnsystems.Revolutionsdestroysystems.

Arevolutionisbloody,butAmericaisinauniqueposition.She’stheonlycountryinhistoryinapositionactuallytobecomeinvolvedinablood-lessrevolution.TheRussianrevolutionwasbloody,Chineserevolutionwasbloody,Frenchrevolutionwasbloody,Cubanrevolutionwasbloody,andtherewasnothingmorebloodythentheAmericanRevolution.Buttodaythiscountrycanbecomeinvolvedinarevolutionthatwon’ttakebloodshed.Allshe’sgottodoisgivetheblackmaninthiscountryeverythingthat’sduehim,everything.

Ihopethatthewhitemancanseethis,''''causeifhedon’tseeityou’refinished.Ifyoudon’tseeityou’regoingtobecoming--you’regoingtobecomeinvolvedinsomeactioninwhichyoudon’thaveachance.Andwedon’tcareanythingaboutyouratomicbomb;it''''s--it’suselessbecauseothercountrieshaveatomicbombs.Whentwoorthreedifferentcountrieshaveatomicbombs,nobodycanusethem,soitmeansthatthewhitemantodayiswithoutaweapon.Ifyou’regonna--Ifyouwantsomeaction,yougottacomeondowntoEarth.Andthere''''smoreblackpeopleonEarththantherearewhitepeopleonEarth.

Ionlygotacouplemoreminutes.Thewhitemancanneverwinanotherwarontheground.Hisdaysofwar,victory,hisreign--hisdaysofgroundvictoryareover.CanIproveit?Yes.Takealltheactionthat’sgoingonthisearthrightnowthathe’sinvolvedin--tellmewherehe’swinning.Nowhere.

Whysomericefarmers--somericefarmers--somericeeatersranhimoutofKorea.Yes,theyranhimoutofKorea.Riceeaterswithnothingbutgymshoes,andarifle,andabowlofricetookhimandhistanksandhisnapalm,andallthatotheractionhe’ssupposedtohaveandranhimacrosstheYalu.Why?''''Causethedaythathecanwinonthegroundhaspassed.

UpinFrenchIndo-Chinathoselittlepeasants,ricegrowerstookonthemightoftheFrencharmyandranalltheFrenchmen--yourememberDienBienPhu.No.

ThesamethinghappenedinAlgeria,inAfrica--theydidn’thaveanythingbutarifle.TheFrenchhadallthesehighlymechanizedinstrumentsofwarfare,buttheyputsomeguerillaactionon,anda--anda--andawhitemancan’tfightaguerillawarfare.Guerillaactiontakesheart,takesnerve,andhedoesn’thavethat.He’sbravewhenhe’sgottanks.He’sbravewhenhe’sgotplanes.He’sbravewhenhe’sgotbombs.He’sbravewhenhe’sgotawholelotofcompanyalongwithhim,butyoutakethatlittlemanfromAfricaandAsia,turnhimlooseinthewoodswithablade,withablade--that’sallheneeds,allheneedsisablade–andwhenthesuncomesdown--goesdown,goesdownandit’sdark,it’seven-steven.

Soit’sthe--it''''stheballotorthebullet.Todayourpeoplecanseethatwe’refacedwithagovernmentconspiracy.Thisgovernmenthasfailedus.Thesenatorswhoarefilibusteringconcerningyourandmyrights,that''''sthegovernment.Don’tsayit’sSouthernsenators.Thisisthegovernment;thisisagovernmentfilibuster.It’snotasegregationistfilibuster.It’sagovernmentfilibuster.AnykindofactivitythattakesplaceontheflooroftheCongressortheSenate,it’sthegovernment.Anykindofdilly-dallying,that’sthegovernment.Anykindofpussy-footing,that’sthegovernment.Anykindofactthat’sdesignedtodelayordepriveyouandmerightnowofgettingfullrights,that’sthegovernmentthat''''sresponsible.

Andanytimeyoufindthegovernmentinvolvedinaconspiracytoviolatethecitizenshiporthecivilrightsofapeople,thenyouarewastingyourtimegoingtothatgovernmentexpectingredress.Instead,youhavetotakethatgovernmenttotheWorldCourtandaccuseitofgenocideandalloftheothercrimesthatitisguiltyoftoday.

Sothoseofuswhosepolitical,andeconomic,andsocialphilosophyisblacknationalismhavebecomeinvolvedinthecivilrightsstruggle.Wehaveinjectedourselvesintothecivilrightsstruggle,andweintendtoexpanditfromthelevelofcivilrightstothelevelofhumanrights.Aslongasyou''''re--Aslongasyou''''refightingonthelevelofcivilrights,you’reunderUncleSam’sjurisdiction.You’regoingtohiscourtexpectinghimtocorrecttheproblem.Hecreatedtheproblem.He’sthecriminal.Youdon’ttakeyourcasetothecriminal;youtakeyourcriminaltocourt.WhenthegovernmentofSouthAfricabegantotrampleuponthehumanrightsofthepeopleofSouthAfrica,theyweretakentotheU.N.WhenthegovernmentofPortugalbegantotrampleuponthe--therightsofourbrothersandsistersinAngola,itwastakenbeforetheU.N.Why公务员之家版权所有eventhewhitemantooktheHungarianquestiontotheU.N.AndjustthisweekChiefJusticeGoldbergwascryingover3millionJewsinRussiaabouttheirhumanrights,chargingRussiawithviolatingtheU.N.charterbecauseofitsmistreatmentofthehumanrightsofJewsinRussia.

NowyoutellmehowcantheplightofeverybodyonthisearthreachthehallsoftheUnitedNations,andyouhave22millionAfro-Americanswhosechoicesarebeingbound,whoselittlegirlsarebeingmurdered,whoseleadersarebeingshotdowninbroaddaylight.NowyoutellmewhytheleadersofthisstrugglehavenevertakenitbeforetheUnitedNations.SoournextmoveistotaketheentirecivilrightsstruggleproblemsintotheUnitedNations,andlettheworldseethatUncleSamisguiltyofviolatingthehumanrightsof22millionAfro-Americans....

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[UncleSam...]andstillhastheaudacityorthenervetostandupandrepresenthimselfastheleaderofthefreeworld.Notonlyisheacrook,he’sahypocrite.Hereheisstandingupinfrontofotherpeople,UncleSam,withthebloodofyourandminemothersandfathersonhishands,withtheblooddrippingdownhisjawslikeabloody-jawedwolf,andstillgotthenervetopointhisfingeratothercountries.Youcan’tevengetcivilrightslegislation.AndthismanhasgotthenervetostandupandtalkaboutSouthAfrica,ortalkaboutNaziGermany,ortalkaboutDeutschland.Why?Nomoredayslikethose.

So,Isayinmyconclusiontheonlywaywe''''regoingtosolveit–we’vegottouniteinunityandharmony,andblacknationalismisthekey.Howwegonnaovercomethetendencytobeateachothersthroatsthatalwaysexistsinourneighborhoods?Andthereasonthistendencyexists,thestrategyofthewhitemanhasalwaysbeendivideandconquer.Hekeepsusdividedinordertoconquerus.HetellsyouI’mforseparationandyouforintegrationtokeepusfightingwitheachother.No,I’mnotforseparationandyou’renotforintegration.WhatyouandIisforisfreedom.Onlyyouthinkthatintegrationwouldgetyoufreedom,Ithinkseparationwouldgetmefreedom.Webothgotthesameobjective,wejustgotdifferentwaysofgettingatit.

SoIstudiedthisman,BillyGraham,whopreacheswhitenationalism,that’swhathepreaches.Isaythat’swhathepreaches.Thewholechurchstructureinthiscountryiswhitenationalism.Yougoinsideawhitechurchthat’swhattheypreachingiswhitenationalism.TheygotJesuswhite,Marywhite,Godwhite,everybodywhite--that’swhitenationalism.Sowhathedoes--thewayhe--thewayhe--thewayhecircumventsthe--thejealousyandenvythatheordinarilywouldincuramongtheheadsofthechurch,whereverhegointoanareawherethechurchalreadyisyougoingintotrouble,''''causetheygotthatthingwhatyoucallit--syndicated,theygotasyndicate--justliketherestoftheRacketeershave.I’mgoingtosaywhat’sonmymind''''causethechurchesare,thepreachersalreadyprovedtoyouthattheygotasyndicate.

Andwhenyou''''reoutintherackets,wheneveryou''''regettinginanotherman’sterritory,youknow,theyganguponyou.Andthat’sthesamewaywithyou--youranintothesamething.SohowBillyGrahamgetsaroundthat,insteadofgoingintosomebodyelse’sterritory,likehegoingtostartupanewchurch,hedon''''t--hedoesn’ttrytostartachurch.HejustgoesinpreachingChrist.AndhesayseverybodywhobelieveinHim,yougowherever--yougowhereveryoufindhim.Sothishelpsallthechurchesandsinceithelpsallthechurchestheydon’tmindfighthim.

Well,wegonnadothesamething,onlyourgospelsblacknationalism;hisgospeliswhitenationalism;ourgospelisblacknationalism.Andthegospelofblacknationalism,asItoldyou,meansyoushouldcontrolyouown,thepoliticsofyourcommunity,theeconomyofyourcommunity,andallofthesocietyinwhichyouliveshouldbeunderyourcontrol.Andonceyoufeelthatthisphilosophywillsolveyourproblem,gojoinanychurchwherethat’spreached.Don’tjoinachurchwherewhitenationalismispreached.NowyoucangotoaNegrochurchandbeexposedtowhitenationalism''''causeyouarewhenyouwalkinaNegrochurchandawhiteMaryandsomewhiteangels--thatNegrochurchispreachingwhitenationalism.Butwhenyougotoachurchandyouseethepastorofthatchurchwithaphilosophyandaprogramthat’sdesignedtobringblackpeopletogetherandelevateblackpeople--jointhatchurch.Jointhatchurch.IfyouseewheretheNAACPispreachingandpracticingthatwhichisdesignedtomakeblacknationalismmaterialize,jointheNAACP.Joinanykindoforganization,civic,religious,fraternal,political,orotherwisethat’sbasedonliftingtheblackmanupandmakinghimmasterofhisowncommunity.

It’llbe--It’llbethe--theballotorit’llbethebullet.It’llbelibertyorit’llbedeath.Andifyou’renotreadytopaythatpricedon’tusethewordfreedominyourvocabulary.

Onemorething:IwasonaprograminIllinoisrecentlywithSenatorPaulDouglas,aso-calledliberal,so-calledDemocrat,so-calledwhiteman,atwhichtimehetoldmethatourAfricanbrotherswerenotinterestedinusinAfrica.HesaidtheAfricansarenotinterestedintheAmericanNegro.Iknewhewaslying,butduringthenexttwoorthreeweeksit’smyintentionandplantomakeatourofourAfricanhomeland.AndIhopethatwhenIcomeback,I’llbeabletocomebackandletyouknowhowourAfricanbrothersandsistersfeeltowardus.AndIknowbeforeIgotherethattheyloveus.We’reone;we’rethesame;thesamemanwhohascolonizedthemalltheseyears,colonizedyouandmetooalltheseyears.Andallwehavetodonowiswakeupandworkinunityandharmonyandthebattlewillbeover.

IwanttothanktheFreedomN公务员之家版权所有owPartyandthegoal.IwanttothankMiltonandRichardHenleyforinvitingmeherethisafternoon,andalsoReverendCleage.AndIwantthemtoknowthatanythingthatIcaneverdo,atanytime,toworkwithanybodyinanykindofprogramthatissincerelydesignedtoeliminatethepolitical,theeconomic,andthesocialevilsthatconfrontallofourpeople,inDetroitandelsewhere,alltheygottodoisgivemeatelephonecallandI’llbeonthenextjetrightonintothecity.