Do We Have a Common Enemy?

“We have a common enemy. We have this in common: We have a common oppressor, a common exploiter, and a common discriminator. But once we all realize that we have this common enemy, then we unite on the bases of what we have in common. And what we have foremost in common is that enemy- the white man. He’s an enemy to all of us. I know some of you all think that some of them aren’t enemies. Time will tell”(Malcolm X).

In Malcolm X’s speech “Grassroots” he encourages his listeners to believe that the “white man” is the enemy. The “white man” is their oppressor and will continue to be their oppressor. He declares that a revolution is needed and bloodshed is necessary. But is this true?

In history as well, the “white man” has been realized as the “common enemy” in regions all over the world. In the Congo they were being colonized by the Belgian and in Kenya they were being colonized by the Englishmen in China they had a revolution to get the white man out. The “white man” is regarded as the “powerful” and with their power they colonize regions and countries where they believe they are superior.

I believe it is true that African-Americans have been oppressed at the hands of the “white man” but I do not believe bloodshed is the answer to freedom and respect. Malcolm X also believed in unity of the black people and exclusion of the white man. Peaceful unity of the black people is what needed to happen in order to successfully retaliate against their common oppressor.

Basic civil rights of the black man in America were being violated solely based on the color of their skin. For the oppressed in America it is imperative that they come together and stand up for their rights and what they believe in. Coming together makes the black man stronger and gives them confidence and power to retaliate against the white man.