Unveiling the U S Linguistics Landscape of Racism and Resistance in the 1960’s, A Descriptive and Critical Discourse Analysis of African American Society through the Lens of Martin Luther King and Malcom X.

Abstract

Using a descriptive and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) methodology, this research dissertation explores the prejudice and resistance that African Americans faced in the 1960s. Along with giving a thorough overview of the lives and accomplishments of crucial civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the research focuses on the examination of two significant speeches they both gave. This research analyzes the racial injustices that were pervasive in American culture during that time and the tactics used by King and Malcolm X to fight racial injustice by examining the historical and social background of the 1960s. With the use of the CDA framework, it is possible to conduct a thorough study of the speeches, revealing the underlying power structures, rhetorical devices, and discursive techniques that these leaders used to spread their ideas of empowerment, justice, and equality. Additionally, this research project attempts to show the ways in which King and Malcolm X's ideology, vocabulary, and strategies influenced the greater civil rights movement while shedding insight on the different strategies they used to combat racism. In the end, this research contributes to a thorough knowledge of the historical importance and long-lasting influence of these two leaders and their speeches, providing insightful information about the African American experience and the 1960s battle for racial equality.