What was the main message of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech?

Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech centers on the idea that African Americans must assert their rights and take action to achieve equality. In this speech, he articulated a sense of urgency for civil rights, emphasizing that if the political system failed to grant African Americans their rights through peaceful means, they might have to resort to more radical measures, including the potential for armed resistance.

Malcolm X challenged the status quo, expressing that merely voting might not be sufficient in the face of systemic oppression, and invoked the idea that individuals should be prepared to defend themselves against violence. This powerful rhetoric framed the struggle for civil rights not just as a matter of gaining the ballot but as a fight for survival and dignity in a society that often denied those basic rights. Thus, while he acknowledged the importance of voting, the overall message was one that indicated a readiness to embrace more militant forms of resistance if necessary.