Shadowing Practice: Malcolm X: "Democracy Is Hypocrisy" – Speech on Police Brutality & Justice - Learn English Speaking with Video

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17 sentences
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1
But don't scare Negroes today with no badge or no white skin or no white sheet or no white anything else.
2
The police the same way.
3
They put their club upside your head and then turn around and accuse you of attacking them.
4
Every case of police brutality against a Negro follows the same pattern.
5
They attack you, bust you all upside your mouth, and then take you to court and charge you with assault.
6
What kind of democracy is that?
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What kind of freedom is that?
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What kind of social or political system is it when a black man has no voice in court,
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has nothing on his side other than what the white man chooses to give?
10
My brothers and sisters, we have to put a stop to this.
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and it will never be stopped until we stop it ourselves.
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They attack the victim, and then the criminal who attacked the victim accuses the victim of attacking him.
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This is American justice.
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This is American democracy.
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And those of you who are familiar with it know that in America, democracy is hypocrisy.
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Now, if I'm wrong, put me in jail.
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But if you can't prove that a democracy is not hypocrisy, then don't put your hands on me.

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Speaking Goals for This Clip

Practice expressing strong opinions and rhetorical questions—key skills for confident English speaking. This video’s passionate tone and repetitive structure make it perfect for shadow speak: repeating phrases aloud in real time to build fluency. You’ll also learn to emphasize critical points, a milestone for engaging in debates or sharing personal perspectives.

Phrase Bank

  • “follows the same pattern” – Describe recurring situations
  • “What kind of [democracy/freedom] is that?” – Challenge ideas rhetorically
  • “has nothing on his side other than” – Highlight limited options
  • “put a stop to this” – Advocate for change
  • “if I'm wrong, put me in jail” – Assert confidence in a claim

Fix Your Weak Spots

Focus on stress and rhythm—Malcolm X emphasizes words like “hypocrisy,” “justice,” and “Negro” to drive his message. Notice how short, sharp sentences (“They attack you”) create urgency. Use this clip for shadow speech practice: pause, repeat, and mimic his pace. Pay attention to how he stretches vowel sounds in “brothers and sisters” to connect with the audience. Improving English pronunciation here means mastering emotional delivery, not just clarity.

Learn English with YouTube by turning this speech into a daily practice. The repetition of phrases like “American democracy” helps build muscle memory, making complex sentences feel natural. Whether you’re practicing alone or with a partner, this clip will push your speaking skills beyond basic conversation.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itbe stopped

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →