Malcolm X

by Clayborne Carson

  Members of the Cult also believe that they are directly related to all Asiatic races, and any conflict involving any Asiatic nation and a Western nation is considered a part of the War of Armageddon, in which the Asiatic nation will be victorious.

  Meetings and Speeches Made by the Subject at

  MCI Meetings, Temple No. 7, Which is Presently

  Located at 102 West 116th Street, New York City

  [BUREAU DELETION] at a meeting of the MCI Temple No. 7, New York City, [BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker. LITTLE spoke on the lines of racial hatred, always referring to the while race as being “the white devils.” LITTLE compared President EISENHOWER to Pharaoh of Egypt in the biblical days and compared ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, as to Moses. He stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is going to lead the “black race” out of slavery in the United States as Moses did the “Jews” in Egypt. LITTLE stated that President EISENHOWER is nothing more than a Pharaoh of the United States and is keeping the “black man” in slavery in the United States. LITTLE stated that the Muslims do not allow any “white devils” in this temple. They just allow their own kind to meet and that the Muslim Temple is only for Negroes.

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the principal speaker at a MCI meeting at Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION]. LITTLE spoke about the white race being the “devil.” LITTLE claimed that the “white devils” from foreign countries could just walk into the United States and automatically become citizens but the “black men” could be born in the United States and are not treated as citizens.

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM claimed that he had first heard of Islam while he was in jail. LITTLE stated he had studied in jail and had been teaching Islam since his release. LITTLE made statements that the United States Constitution does not protect the “black man” and now they, referring to the United States government, are passing the “civil rights bill” which will not help the “black man” either.

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker at the MCI meeting. [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE spoke about the “white man” as being the “devil” and made statements that the United States government could pass a bill overnight but cannot even pass a “civil rights bill” in years. LITTLE claimed that all the “white devils” are being chased out of Asia by the “black man” and that they are all coming to the United States.

  LITTLE told this group that there was a space ship forty miles up which was built by the wise men of the East and in this space ship there are a number of smaller space ships and each one is loaded with bombs. LITTLE stated that when ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, gives the word these ships will descend on the United States, bomb it and destroy all the “white devils.” According to LITTLE these bombs will destroy all the “devils” in the United States and that all the Muslims in good standing will be spared. LITTLE claimed that their Prophet ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was sent to the United States twenty years ago to save the “black people.”

  [BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker at [BUREAU DELETION] of Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION] and that LITTLE’s talk was of the usual nature of hatred of the white race. [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE had a clipping from the Daily News, a New York daily newspaper, which had headlines in regard to the jailing of eleven fliers by the Chinese. [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE held up this article for the entire group to see and stated that the “Chinese Reds are not Communists but are black people.” LITTLE stated that Red China has told all the “white devils” to get out. LITTLE stated that the world is waking up and that all the “black nations” are rising and running the “devil” out. LITTLE compared the black man in the United States to JOSEPH of the Bible being sold into slavery by his brothers.

  [BUREAU DELETION] Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker at the meeting of Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE spoke along the lines of the so-called religious aspects of the Cult and made comparisons of the “black man’s” accomplishments and the evils of the “white devils.” LITTLE exhibited a newspaper clipping from the Washington Post which contained an article by a Professor O’CONNOR. LITTLE explained that this article by O’CONNOR reflected that Jesus Christ was a black man and LITTLE explained to the group that all the prophets in the past had been black men and that there never had been white prophets.

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the principal speaker at the meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at which time LITTLE expounded upon the origin of the white race, stating that it was created by YACOB and it took six thousand years to create the “white devil.” LITTLE stated this was obtained by breeding the white-skinned and yellow-skinned races and that when the black-skinned babies were born they were killed off and it took six thousand years to accomplish the creation of the present-day “white devil.”

  During this meeting LITTLE explained that the guards of the Temple are soldiers in the army and that when the war is started these guards are duty-bound to see all churches are destroyed. LITTLE made the statement that they would chop your head off too if you do not believe in the teachings of Islam. LITTLE stated that the members are “fools” if they put on the uniform of the “white devil’s army.”

  LITTLE stated, however, he was not telling them not to do so, [BUREAU DELETION] it was indicated from the theme of LITTLE‘s talk that it would not be along the Muslim lines for an individual to serve in the armed forces of the United States.

  [BUREAU DELETION] in regards to the overthrow of the government, MALCOLM LITTLE had made statements to the effect that it was expected that the Negro race would be the rulers of the world and it had been indicated that the white man’s rule in the United States would end with the year 1955. [BUREAU DELETION] they continuously referred to the Battle of Armageddon and that it had been explained that this Battle would be between the “black man” and the “white man.”

  Meetings and Speeches Made by Subject at the

  “Temple of Islam” 1643 North Bailey Street,

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE, the Minister of the New York Temple and the Philadelphia Temple was in charge of the meeting [BUREAU DELETION]. LITTLE expounded on the transportation arrangements for the members of the Cult to go to Chicago, Illinois, on February 26, 1955, which is the Muslim holiday known as “Savior’s Day.” LITTLE also welcomed new members at this meeting and appointed an assistant minister to preside in LITTLE’s absence.

  [BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker at the [BUREAU DELETION] meeting [BUREAU DELETION]. MALCOLM spoke along the usual tirade, but in a more violent manner than usual. MALCOLM‘s speech reflected the theme that the destruction of the “devil” or white man is imminent and that the black people all over the world are conscious of this fact. MALCOLM presented two newspaper articles to prove that this is a time of change and that the War of Armageddon when the Gods are to destroy the devil is here. MALCOLM also related to the group that you will be sent to Korea and Japan and all over the world to fight to help the “devil” to stay in power but that there is no power that can save him as it is the will of Allah that he must be destroyed in accordance with his word.

  [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE spoke at the meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at Philadelphia Temple. [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE related the Muslim teachings in regard to slave traders and the Negro as a slave in the United States. LITTLE also related alleged mistreatment of Negroes in the United States by the white race.

  [BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM was a speaker at a meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at the Philadelphia Temple. MALCOLM expounded on the white race being the “devil” and claims to be teaching the truth about the “black man” in the United States. MALCOLM stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is standing up in this wicked government, referring to the United States government, and telling you the truth that has been hidden from you so long.

  Interview of MALCOLM LITTLE on

  January 10, 1955

  In an interview on January 10, 1955, MALCOLM LITTLE ad
vised SAs [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] that he resides at 25–35 Humphrey Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, at the home of CURTIS and SUSIE KENNER.

  The subject readily admitted membership in the MCI Temple No. 7, New York City, but would not admit that he was the minister or teacher of Temple No. 7, New York City. Subject would not admit that he was affiliated with the MCI Temple in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nor would he admit membership in the Detroit and Boston Temples.

  The subject was uncooperative in this interview. He refused to furnish any information concerning the officers, names of members, to furnish doctrines or beliefs of the MCI or family background data on himself.

  The subject stated that he believes in all the teachings of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, and that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was his leader and that he considered ELIJAH MUHAMMAD superior to all. Subject considered the “Nation of Islam” higher and greater than the United States government. He claimed that Allah is God, the supreme being, and that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is the greatest prophet of all, being the last and greatest Apostle.

  When questioned concerning alleged teachings or racial hatred of the MCI, he stated they do not teach hatred but the truth, that the “black man” has been enslaved in the United States by the “white man” and that no one could dispute it. LITTLE stated that the “black man” has died for the “white man” all over the world. He described the “black man” who respects the United States government as “Uncle Tom” in that they have considered the white man and his government first and placed themselves in a secondary position.

  When subject was questioned concerning whether he would serve in the United States armed forces and if he would defend the United States against an attacking enemy he would not answer. He stated that no one could look in the future so he contended that he would not know what he would do if the above events would happen. The subject would not answer as to whether he considered himself a citizen of the United States.

  When asked if he considered the MCI a government as well as a religion the subject would not answer. When asked if he considered himself and the Negro race in slavery in the United States by the white man, the subject remarked that you would have to only read the history books in the library to know that they are in slavery.

  When he was questioned concerning the War of Armageddon, he remarked that the Bible states this will be when God destroys the devil. When asked how the MCI was going to participate in this war, he would not answer. When asked what the FOI and military training was for, he stated this was to teach the members to be upright and righteous. Subject claimed that Muslims are peaceful and they do not have guns and ammunition and they do not even carry knives.

  The subject did, however, admit that during World War II he had admired the Japanese people and soldiers and that he would have liked to join the Japanese Army at that time. The subject claims to have never been a member of the Communist Party or the American Youth for Democracy or to have known anyone who was associated with it.

  The American Youth for Democracy and the Communist Party have been designated by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to Executive Order 10450.

  SECTION 2

  January 31, 1956–April 23, 1957

  REPORTS:

  1. January 31, 1956. New York

  2. April 23, 1957. New York.

  The two reports in this section reflect Malcolm’s speaking activities in Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia during 1955 and 1956. At this point, the FBI believed that Malcolm was the No. 2 or No. 3 man in NOI, and that he represented Elijah Muhammad in Atlanta on August 26, 1956.

  His speeches are militant and metaphorical, containing numerous prophetic warnings and references to the white man as “the devil.” In Philadelphia, Malcolm delivered a scathing indictment in his customary angry manner:

  Who hung this man on this tree? Your white Christian brother. Who raped your mother and stood her up in the market while they felt her body to see if she was a good breeder and then sold her away from her family. The white man brags about these things in the library. He has made you so blind that you sit and read this and say, “Oh, that’s about people years ago.” They are still hanging black men on trees.

  Malcolm expresses awareness of government infiltration of the NOI and gives members explicit instructions on how to deal with FBI agents. In the first report, he is quoted as telling a group of followers “that they would be visited by the . . . FBI, but that was only an effort to intimidate them. . . .” Malcolm spoke extensively about government infiltration during this period and warned that Allah would soon put “the devil’s watchdogs in here . . . into our hands.” The section concludes with an intercepted letter that Malcolm wrote to someone in the NOI.

  FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

  This case originated at: New York

  Report made at: New York

  Date when made: 1/31/56

  Period for which made: 12/1,6,14,15,21/55; 1/3–6,10,13,16/56

  Report made by. SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C

  Title: MALCOLM LITTLE, was

  Character of case: Security Matter-MCI

  SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

  [BUREAU DELETION] subject stated he is minister of MCI Temples in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Springfield. [BUREAU DELETION] subject as minister makes rules, selects officers and plans temple activities. Subject, [BUREAU DELETION] advised he is teaching in Hartford, Conn. Subject held MCI meeting in Lansing, Michigan, about 5/1/55.

  ACTIVITY IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

  [BUREAU DELETION] at a meeting held by the Philadelphia Temple of the MCI. [BUREAU DELETION] the subject was the principal speaker.

  Editor’s note. A long extract from Malcolm’s speech, perhaps verbatim, follows at this point in the file. His topic is subversion.

  “Black men all over the planet are subversive, “ Malcolm announces, and whom they are subverting is the “devil”—the devil being the man who has raped a black woman or lynched a black man, the man who would deprive blacks of their culture and history and religion, the man who would deceive black people in all things. This man, this devil, is white, and his government wicked. The white man and his evil government, however, will be destroyed in the last days—and so will the black men who choose to follow him, according to Malcolm. The time of Armageddon is now.

  Advocating separatism from all the “white devils,” Malcolm allows for no exceptions. He asserts that in the Bible God makes it clear that none of them, neither Jews nor Gentiles, are in any way good and that all of them. Gentiles and Jews alike, “are looked upon the same by the all-wise Allah.” And all of them will be destroyed by Allah.

  Malcolm also mentions the FBI in the course of his remarks. The Bureau’s black informants and agents who follow him “all over the country” and report back to the “great white father what we say here” can be viewed only as traitors, for they stand against their own people. Soon, though, they will be delivered into the hands of the Muslims and, says Malcolm, “we are going to chop your head right off.”

  Among other of Malcolm’s concerns regarding the Philadelphia temple are the disunity among the sisters, who seems to prefer bickering to their mission, and the MGT (Muslim Girls Training), both its leadership and its ranks (“I want you to buy scales and weigh the members on Monday and Thursday. Those who are overweight will be given two weeks to lose ten pounds or will be given time out”). He also objects to unemployment, as a brother who can’t help himself can’t help the temple either. Nor does he take kindly to any criticism voiced by brothers or sisters against Malcolm X.

  [BUREAU DELETION] At the meeting, the subject spoke and stated that the things that are happening in the world today are the result of colored peoples all over the world telling the white man to get out. He related how this has happened in China, Japan, Iran, Egypt and all over the planet earth, where the white man has no business. He stated, “There are only two kinds of people, the white and the black, so if you are not white you must
be black.”

  He told the group that in Masonry every step of wisdom they give is paid for dearly, but in the Temple of Islam it is all a free gift, and in Masonry you are forbidden to relate anything you learn even to your own son or daughter or wife, whatever the case may be, while in Islam you are required to tell all of your brothers and sisters and give them what Allah has given you.

  He stated that they “had been taught to go around the world and fight for their name, but not to cross the street to defend a brother or sister.”

  [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE related how even in the South, as bad as things were, they respected the black man, he dared to face them unafraid. He told how his father had been lynched in the persecution suffered by his people at the hands of a common enemy.

  [BUREAU DELETION] at a meeting of the MCI Temple No. 12, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, [BUREAU DELETION] the subject was the principal speaker.

  Editor’s note. In the extract, perhaps verbatim, from the remarks on this occasion Malcolm exhorts the assembly to follow the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and thus “to hear the truth.” To heed what Muhammad teaches, according to Malcolm, is to know that “the white man is the only devil in existence”—a devil that neither can nor would better the conditions of black people in America, for he is the very devil responsible for the unjust and iniquitous conditions under which blacks now live their daily lives. (“If you were citizens of this country,” Malcolm points out later, “they would not have to sign bills for your rights.”)

  Slavery is not history, nor do its injustices belong to the past, Malcolm posits. Black women are still being raped and black men hanged on trees. For too long black people have had their minds numbed by white devils preaching a white Christian religion in white Christian churches. The time has come to leave that church and enter the temple of Islam, there to be awakened out of “mental death.” Elijah Muhammad, the one true prophet of Islam, will deliver his followers from the destruction soon to be visited upon the planet, when, as Malcolm describes it, “the God Almighty rains the fire down on North America.” Then all the white devils—and all those blacks who worship with them in their churches—will be destroyed. And the black man shall rule as “the god of the universe.”