Malcolm X, Take Heed

The prominent African-American figure, Malcolm X, asserts in his speech, “God’s Judgement of America,” that “before God can set up his new world, the Muslim world, or world of Islam…God himself must first destroy this evil Western world, the white world… a wicked world” (X). X was a devout follow of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and member of the Nation of Islam before he officially departed from the organization on March 8, 1964. He converted to Islam after exposure to black Islam while serving his sentence in prison following a challenging and grim childhood. X, upon release, quickly became the leading black spokesperson of American with the blessing and guidance of Elijah Muhammad.

Abayomi Azikiwe contends in his article on X’s speech that X was a committed follower of the Nation of Islam and to Elijah Muhammad, himself, until he split from the assemblage; however, before the divergence, X worked to erect bonds between African Americans and Muslim communities and nations beyond the borders of the United States (Azikiwe). These bonds are still holding fast today, and the effects are evident in the evolution of African American civil rights. In many of Malcolm X’s speeches and sermons to the African American communities across the United States, his rhetorical skills were his main choice of weapon against whites establishment in America. His words instilled pride and a sparked a revolution in the lives of a plethora of black citizens, and these features can be seen in a particular speech. X concentrated on the consequential downfall of “White America” in his speech, “God’s Judgement of White America” using religious and political rhetorical appeals. Through a religious and political lens, X fueled his argument on Black Pride and Black Nationalism to preserve the original purpose of the Black Revolution.

Malcolm X preached on the approaching doom of the White Man and his evil iniquity of colonizing Negroes and offered one solution: a revolution. X contends in his speech, “revolutions are never peaceful, never loving, never nonviolent” and “revolutionaries don’t compromise with the enemy; they don’t even negotiate” (X). X gave international evidence of other countries around the world that have blown away the sins of the White Man. He spoke of Africa, Asia and even Latin America traveling the revolutionary road, and by expressing that these countries have succeeded, X insinuates that Black America can rise up as well. The Black Revolution is divine will and divine power according to X, and “America’s judgement and destruction will also be brought about by divine will and divine power” (X). However, this begs the question of why should America be doomed and destroyed? X answers this question by citing historical events and sins committed by the white man. This Black Revolution will eradicate all sins that have affected Negroes since the original sin of slavery. The “evil sin of colonialism” brought the downfall of ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, as well as present-day Europe (X). As this sin continues in America, it must be paid by the demolition of the White Man’s America at the hand of a Black Revolution.

Colonialism will transform into Black Nationalism, and the transformer will be none other than the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, himself. X preaches that Muhammad is the ultimate rebel, demonstrator, and enactor, and this powerful and influential god-sent alone will deliver Black Muslims from the clutches of White America. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad is the catalyst in X’s speeches, sermons, movements and decisions. It is through Muhammad’s teachings that X delivers such persuasive and appealing words of action, and X issues a theme of religion and politics throughout “God’s Judgement of White America” and Muhammad is the protagonist. Muhammad promotes the Black Revolution that will lead to Black Nationalism, and he offers a teaching that could initially solve the race problem in America. He compels Malcolm X to convey desegregation is a wrong road to turn on because “an integrated cup of coffee…desegregated theater or lunch counter…isn’t sufficient pay for four hundred years of slave labor” (X). These actions are only temporary. The only permanent action and solution is to be completely separated on the original Black homeland. X offers practical, tangible, and attainable resolutions that will fuel the Black Revolution and achieve this new frontier. He suggests the government should repay the enslaved blacks of the nation by providing all necessities to achieve this solution. This is an influential appeal because X has conveyed the damage the White Man has had on the ex-slaves, and therefore, America must reimburse because of the negative effects. Repayment is owed and due to stimulate the Black Revolution that will be headed by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

Beneath the overarching theme of the Black Revolution through Malcolm X’s speech, “God’s Judgement of White America,” he enhances his argument by using religious and political appeals that will be coupled with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. Within X’s religious appeals, he uses charisma, fear, and evidence through metaphors to support Muhammad’s teachings and mission towards a Black Revolution. Initially, X uses religious language and preaches about America’s, as well as various countries’, sin against the non-whites of the world. He mentions that since the past slave empires were destroyed because of divine will, then America’s fate will be of similar result. God will decide if America will be demolished, and Malcolm X believes the destruction and downfall is an event in God’s plan. X asks the audience a handful of questions concerning the fate of America, and who should reveal God’s plan and solution to the oppressive ex-slave owners. Eventually he presents his clear argument. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad is the “only means of escape” for Black Muslims (X). Through charismatic persuasion, X shares Muslim beliefs and attempts to convince his audience that the White Man is attacking these beliefs and inhibiting the practice of “complete submission and obedience to God’s will” (X). What X is ultimately portraying is that Muslims, especially Black Muslims, must believe it is Allah’s will to destroy America. He repeats this line three times, clearly depicting his argument, and using fear to appeal to his audience, along with blaming all non-black citizens of America for racial problems. He then goes on and pleads the audience to listen to Elijah Muhammad because “when you cut yourself off from him, you cut yourself off from your way out of the divine disaster that is fast approaching White America” (X).

X, Malcolm. "Malcolm X speech." 1963. www.digitalhistory.uh.edu. 20 October 2018.