Comparing Malcolm X And Mary Angelou's Speech

Malcolm X’s speech and Mary Angelou’s Poem both speak about the controversial topic of black history, both talks about the struggles and hardships black people have had to face and what we as a nation can do about it. Both Malcolm and Mary are civil rights activists that for decades have continued the fight for black freedom and prosperity.The difference stands out as Mary Angelou talks about coming up as a nation to fight for black freedom, however, Malcolm X is talking about how his “Brothers” (Fellow African Americans” need to unify instead of being broken and fighting each other.
The language used in both poems is quite similar as in Mary’s poem she uses slang and jokes to convey her message to the people. Malcolm uses a very serious approach …show more content…
The other way they artists persuade you is by almost insulting the people that oppose them by saying “Does my Sexiness offend you?”, “Does my sassiness upset you?” And “Why are you beset with gloom?”. The persuasive devices are all used to come to a view that Black people during this time were oppressed.
I believe the purpose was very clear within both poems that it gave awareness to the struggles of black folk in the united states. Mary Angelou’s was very humorous however the catchphrase “Still I rise” gave a serious overtone that gave purpose to all those that Had been put down and “trodden on” by their oppressors. Malcolm X’s was very clear also as he told the reader or audience how many problems he’s faced.
The audience is obviously for those who believe in black rights and for both poems you would have to have a left-winged worldview to attending these poems as slam poems are commonly used by the left-winged as a vehicle to give out their views. Black rights, however, are supported by a vast majority on the political spectrum but these poems are a very far left way of getting your opinion over with the