The revolutions cited represent a full upheaval and particularly violent disagreement with the establishment of the countries they occurred in. With no time for talking or negotiations, they exacted change in an extreme, but arguably, necessary fashion

For a time the people of France had grown increasingly critical of how the French aristocracy ran their country, with a shift in economics resulting in hunger and adverse conditions for many, frustrations grew until the revolution began in 1789. The revolution, in Malcolm’s eyes, was more about acquiring freedoms than hatred of the aristocracy

The French Revolution

The American Revolution of 1776 began with the uniting of the thirteen colonies within America at the time to begin the battle for independence from Great Britain’s rule and form a nation which was to be know as the United States of America. This culminated in the creation of the ‘Declaration of Independence’

Simply being in America does not make you an American unless you experience equality, civil rights and the right to pursue the ‘American Dream’

A metaphor for having receiving no benefit, no involvement or respect as somebody who’s preent and holds significance and importance

During this time America experienced, and has always experienced immigration of people from all over the world, although these people were new to the country they experienced more equality and respect in comparison to black people

The time black people have spent in America, the slavery endured which contributed to the building of America at the time had not been considered, black people were not equals, treated as second class citizens unwanted by the society they had no choice but to live in. Malcolm is dramatic and ‘matter-o fact’ about the issue: if black people truly were Americans they would not have experienced severe inequality.

By explaining he is associated with no particular group Malcolm is showing how the problem is universal and significant to not just black people but everybody, the cause needs to be heard

A major, and arguably true, criticism of serving in the army is that many don’t know why they’re fighting. This conjures images of soldiers being pawns. Here he is saying that the reasons to fight are far more clear and beneficial to yourself as opposed to somebody else