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The Ballot, or the Bullet

By Claude Bohn

            While scanning the Forum section of the Courier-Journal, Sunday (8/22/04), I read the following letter-to-the-editor:

`The ballot or the bullet'

Since this is an election year and the United States is at war, I would like to suggest that journalists, politicians, freedom fighters, religious leaders and anyone who is interested in understanding some of the politics and the war in Iraq listen to Malcolm X's speech, "The ballot or the bullet. " I hope those who listen will learn why the United States is in economic, political and social trouble.

GINNY KANE

New Albany, Ind. 47150

*********

            I (thankfully) took the writer’s advice, and checked out the speech; I found it thought provoking, and compelling!

            While reading the speech, though, I found myself thinking of a scene from the movie “The Outlaw Josie Wales,” in which an old Indian (Dan George) is relating to “Josie” (Clint Eastwood), how “his People” had been lied to, and abused, by the “white man,” in Washington. Josie’s reply was short and sweet; he said: “Sounds like you and me have a problem with the white man.”

            Boy, do we ever! [NOTE: “Josie” was considered an “outlaw,” because he had refused to surrender, and “pledge allegiance” to the “Union,” following the end of the so-called “Civil War”.]

            I was also struck by the thought, that, whether “ballots, or bullets,” it all amounts to the same thing – FORCE! We attempt to FORCE our will on others (or, they, on us) through the ballot. When that method fails, we often resort to “the bullet”. As Clausewitz said: “War is politics by other means.”

And, vice versa.

            Perhaps, there’s a better way? But, certainly, not in a “one size fits all” monopoly, such as we have, which we euphemistically refer to as, “The Government.” Regardless what color the men running it happen to be!

            But, Malcolm X was right about one thing, for sure; as President Kennedy once put it: “Those, who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.”

            It has been 40 years since Malcolm X delivered this speech, and things haven’t changed – except, perhaps, for the worse. And, at least, in my opinion, it would take a pretty delusional person, to continue to believe, that any real “revolution” can possibly take place using the ballot. Someone’s gonna lose; and they ain’t gonna be happy about it!

            Which leaves us with but two ‘options’: The bullet (violent revolution) - which, since it would merely be politics by other means, is unlikely to produce any real, or lasting “revolution” – or, an ACTUAL (peaceful) “revolution” (as John Adams described it) – in the hearts and minds of men (and women), of ALL colors!

            The choice is up to us, folks; as that old Eagles song says: “So many times it happens, that we live our lives in chains; and we never even know we have the key.” Whether we realize that, and use it, is another matter - but it IS, entirely, up to us!

            I only wish that I could (realistically) be more optimistic, as to which ‘option’ we might choose.

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