Malcolm X

by Clayborne Carson

  The May 17, 1962 edition of the Los Angeles Herald Dispatch contained an article which reflected that a Los Angeles Coroner’s Jury inquiring into the death of RONALD STOKES on April 27, 1962, at the hands of the LAPD, ruled that it was “justifiable homicide under lawful performance of duty and in self defense.” The article further indicated that only the police officers testified and that the nine Muslims who were arrested at the scene refused to testify and left the hearing after being advised that they were not required to testify if they thought their testimony might incriminate them.

  This same article quoted the subject as saying after hearing the above verdict that STOKES’s death was “a murder in cold blood” and that the Muslims “despaired of getting justice” and would pray to “God that he gives justice in his own way.” The article went on to say that in response to questions the subject stated that Muslims obey the law, do not carry firearms and are never the aggressors but if attacked have their God-given right to defend themselves.

  The May 24, 1962 edition of the Los Angeles Herald Dispatch contained an article which reflected that a protest rally against police brutality was held in Los Angeles on May 20, 1962, at the Park Manor Auditorium which was sponsored by the “County Civic League,” the latter being described in the article as an independent organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the black community.

  The article reflected that the subject spoke at this meeting and is quoted as saying “… Not a Muslim but a black man was shot down.” The article indicated that the subject reiterated the importance of not letting religious, political, social or economic differences divide the blacks. He further stated, according to the article, “For you’re brutalized because you’re black and when they lay a club on the side of your head, they do not ask your religion. You’re black, that’s enough.”

  At this above mentioned rally held on May 20, 1962, [BUREAU DELETION] during the subject’s speech, he said that black people all over the world are uniting. Socialists, Communists and Liberalists [sic] all are coming together to get rid of the common enemy with white skin.

  [BUREAU DELETION] that early in June, 1962, [BUREAU DELETION] at the Holman Methodist Church, Los Angeles, California, during which a bulletin was passed out that had on its back “A Manifesto for Clergymen of the Los Angeles Area.” [BUREAU DELETION] the bulletin indicated that this manifesto was being issued as a result of the killing of a Muslim by the LAPD. This manifesto indicated that the Negro Ministers did not condone police brutality but that they were in no way related to or in sympathy with the Muslim movement.

  The June 6, 1962 edition of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner contained an article which reflected that news media of Southern California were asked by Los Angeles Mayor SAMUEL W. YORTY to publicize statements made by the subject at an NOI meeting in Los Angeles, California. The article indicated that Mayor YORTY, during a press conference in his office, played a tape recording of the NOI meeting which included a speech by the subject during which the latter said in regard to the crash of a jet airliner in Paris, France, in which all the passengers were killed:

  I would like to announce a very beautiful thing that has happened. As you know, we have been praying to Allah. We have been praying that he would in some way let us know that he has the power to execute justice upon the heads of those who are responsible for the lynching of Ronald Stokes on April 27.

  And I got a wire from God today (laughter) wait, all right, well somebody came and told me that he really had answered our prayers over in France. He dropped an airplane out of the sky with over 120 white people on it because the Muslims believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (cheering and applause).

  Many people have been saying, “Well, what are you going to do?” And since we know that the man is tracking us down day by day to try and find out what we are going to do so he’ll have some excuse to put us behind his bars, we call on our god. He gets rid of 120 of them in one whop. But thanks to God, or Jehovah or Allah, we will continue to pray and we hope that every day another plane falls out of the sky (cheering and applause). I want to just let you understand this.

  Whenever you read in the paper or hear on the television about accidents in which these good, blessed, blue-eyed people have lost their lives, you can say amen for that’s God’s work. God knows you are cowards; God knows you are afraid; God knows that the white man has got you shaking in your boots. So God doesn’t leave it up to you to defend yourself.

  God is defending you himself. They don’t know what makes those airplanes come down; they start looking for mechanical failure. No, that’s godly; that’s “divinely failure.”

  Following the playing of the above recording the article indicated that Mayor YORTY stated that he did not believe that MALCOLM X or the black Muslims had the support of the Los Angeles Negro community and urged that wide publicity be given to this statement of MALCOLM X so the public could understand the threats of this philosophy.

  Animosity Between Subject and the

  Family of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

  On several dates during February, March and April, 1963, [BUREAU DELETION] there was developing a feeling of resentment and animosity against the subject by members of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’s family. This resentment apparently stems from MALCOLM’s taking charge and running the NOI Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on February 26, 1963, when illness precluded ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’s attendance. The family was especially resentful of subject’s attempts to advise and tell the family what to do and of statements he was allegedly making against ELUAH and his family.

  This resentment was further aggravated, [BUREAU DELETION] by subject’s remaining in Chicago for several weeks after the convention where he made numerous appearances and speeches in the Chicago area. On the request of members of the family, ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, who was still in Phoenix, Arizona, ordered subject to return to New York City, which he did on March 10, 1963, canceling his future scheduled appearances around Chicago. The excuse utilized for leaving the Chicago area was that subject had to return home and assist his wife who had fallen and broken her leg, which in fact she had done.

  A possible incident reflecting the reason for some of this resentment is indicated below:

  At the NOI Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on February 26, 1963, subject’s speech was interrupted several times by an apparent request to allow ELIJAH’s son WALLACE MUHAMMAD, to speak. Subject refused to heed this request and stated that due to the late start it would not be possible for WALLACE to speak. However, subject did introduce those members of ELIJAH’s family who were present.

  This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of any kind. It is the property of the FBI, and is a loan to your agency; it and/or its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

  2/4/63

  AIRTEL

  TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (25-330971)

  FROM: SAC, WFO (100-22829)

  NATION OF ISLAM

  IS-NOI

  (OO:CG)

  During a simultaneous release of a filmed interview on radio and television stations WMAL, Washington, D. C, on 2/3/63, at 7:00 P.M., MALCOLM X, New York City, described as the official spokesman for the black Muslims and Minister of Muhammad’s Mosque, No. 7, New York City’s Harlem District, made some comments as follows:

  The honorable ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches that the black man is closer to God and is actually superior physiologically, psychologically, socially and numerically.

  The religion of Islam eliminates drunkenness, dope addiction, vice, immorality, smoking, drinking, stealing, lying, cheating, gambling, and disrespect for womanhood.

  Regarding violence, Muslims are taught to obey the law, respect the law and to do unto others as “We would like them to do unto us,” but that after having religiously obeyed the law, the Muslims are within their rights to defend themselves when attacked.

  Muslims are never involved in riots and are never involved in violence unless attacked.

  ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has
never advocated the overthrow of the government. If the black man cannot go back to his own people and his own land, ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is asking that a part of the United States be separated and given to the Muslims so they can live separately. ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is the only man the white people can deal with in the solving of problems of the so-called Negro, as ELIJAH MUHAMMAD knows his problems.

  Communism does not support the Muslim ideology.

  The FBI spends twenty-four hours daily in attempting to infiltrate the Muslims and after Muslim meetings are held, the FBI goes from door to door asking about the meetings. The FBI goes far beyond its duty in the “religious suppression” of the Muslims.

  The NAACP has existed for fifty-four years, during which period it has always had a white man as president. MALCOLM believes that the organization is not developing leadership among the black people or it is practicing discrimination.

  There is a group of Muslims in every Negro community.

  Financial support from the white people is not desired, but would be accepted because it would represent what the white “forefathers” robbed from the black “forefathers” during the 310 years that the Negro spent in bondage while working without pay for the white people.

  The above interview was conducted by MATTHEW WARREN and MALCOLM LA PLACE, reporters for WMAL News.

  A more complete account of the interview will be furnished to the Bureau, CG and NY when it has been assembled.

  Mr. W. C. Sullivan

  [BUREAU DELETION]

  NATION OF ISLAM

  INTERNAL SECURITY-NOI

  MALCOLM X LITTLE

  INTERNAL SECURITY-NOI

  February 4, 1963

  My memorandum 2/1/63 advised a scheduled program called “Black Muslim” would be presented at 7 P.M., Sunday, 2/3/63 on Channel 7, WMAL Television, Washington, D. C. “Black Muslims” is the term used by the news media in referring to the Nation of Islam (NOI). WMAL, the Evening Star (a Washington, D. C, daily newspaper) station, advised that one of the reasons they were presenting the program was because they felt it presented MALCOLM X and the “Black Muslims” in a “bad light.”

  During the program MALCOLM X did refer to the FBI on one occasion. He said:

  The FBI spends twenty-four hours a day infiltrating or trying to infiltrate Muslims and after we hold our religious services they go from door to door and ask questions of persons who come to the meetings to try and harass them and frighten them. The FBI really goes way beyond the call of its duty in the religious suppression of the Muslims in this country. We have many occasions where they have tried to threaten and frighten Negroes from becoming Muslims, but it doesn’t work. Today they have a new Negro on the scene and the more harassment and threats the FBI or the police or anyone gives toward Islam or toward the Negro, it only makes us grow that much faster.

  OBSERVATIONS:

  In carrying out our responsibilities in the security field [BUREAU DELETION], However, the statements concerning harassment and threats are absolutely false and are additional examples of wild untrue statements made to influence the Negro.

  The program did not put MALCOLM X or the “Black Muslims” in a “bad light.” The “answers” given by MALCOLM X were not questioned. He was allowed to expound the NOI program in such a way that he created interest in the NOI. This is another example of the effect of publicity concerning the NOI. While it was intended to have an adverse effect, it created interest in the organization which was out of proportion to its importance.

  RECOMMENDATION:

  It is recommended that we continue to follow the approved policy of taking no steps which would give them additional publicity.

  DIRECTOR, FBI (100-439895)

  SAC, CHARLOTTE (100-4273)

  NATION OF ISLAM

  IS-NOI

  3/13/63

  [BUREAU DELETION] made available to SA [BUREAU DELETION] a recording of the speech made by MALCOLM X LITTLE at the Hi-Fi Country Club in Charlotte, N. C, on 1/30/63.

  [BUREAU DELETION]

  Hearing the actual speech of MALCOLM X enables the listener to discover the type of argument and logic employed by a hate peddler. The resulting effect is clearly heard in the background of this particular tape.

  [BUREAU DELETION] The listener can hear audience reaction in the background as MALCOLM X stimulates his listeners to the release of their prejudices, grievances and wishes. Some of the content of the tape underlines the inhibitions and repressed attitudes of a segment of Negroes in general and of Charlotte Negroes in particular. These bitternesses are easily identified on the tape through crowd outbursts as MALCOLM X underlines some of the causes of Negro unrest.

  This taped speech [BUREAU DELETION] shows clearly how MALCOLM X unites the individuals into an emotional entity, how he achieves rapport, reaches common understanding and responsiveness as he fuses individuals into a unit.

  It is interesting to listen to the method of using statements of fact to set a favorable state of mind as he interweaves easy catch phrases of hate into the content of his speech. He continually throws irritants into an atmosphere of growing disapproval of the white race.

  MALCOLM X uses his skill as a speaker to direct emotions and hatreds of his audience toward white people whom he sets up as a scapegoat for Negroes, described by him as a people severed from their racial heritage.

  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

  WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

  May 13, 1963

  NATION OF ISLAM INTERNAL SECURITY -NATION OF ISLAM

  The Washington Post, a Washington, D. C. daily newspaper, in its issue of May 13, 1963, on page B-3, carried an article entitled “400 Hear MALCOLM X Speak Here.” This article reflected that MALCOLM X, the Number Two leader of the Black Muslims, spoke on May 12, 1963, to an audience of about four hundred persons in a studio of a Washington, D. C. radio station, WUST. This article stated that the subject had been transferred recently as Minister of the sect’s Washington Mosque. MALCOLM X announced that whites had been barred from the meeting “so that we can talk about them like we want to.” A squad of young Muslims frisked everyone at the door for weapons. No whites were seen attempting to enter.

  The subject warned at this meeting, according to the newspaper article, that Negroes can expect little better treatment from President Kennedy than they get from Alabama Governor George C. Wallace. He characterized the two men as a wolf and a fox. “Neither one loves you,” he said. “The only difference is that the fox will eat you with a smile instead of a scowl.”

  MALCOLM X cited the weekend bombings and fighting in Birmingham, Alabama, as proof of the failure of the turn-the-other-cheek policy advocated by Martin Luther King. He said that Negroes ought to stay away from the white man, “but if he turns his dogs on your babies, your women and your children, then you ought to kill the dogs, whether they’ve got four legs or two.”

  SECTION 9

  May 23, 1963–January 23, 1964

  REPORTS:

  1. May 23, 1963. Washington D.C.

  2. Sept. 19, 1963. Letter to J. Edgar Hoover and response

  3. November 15, 1963. New York

  4. December 6, 1963. Hoover to Chief, U.S. Secret Service

  5. January 23, 1964. Memo. SAC, Phoenix to Director

  Rather than policy prescriptions, the Bureau reports in this section limit themselves to reporting Malcolm’s public appearances. This section outlines his activities from the time of his May appointment as Minister of Mosque No. 4 in Washington through the end of 1963, including Malcolm’s reactions to the August 28 March on Washington, his comments regarding President Kennedy’s assassination, and his subsequent suspension from the NOI.

  The Bureau reported that any NOI members who participated in the “Farce on Washington,” as Malcolm called it, would receive ninety-day suspensions. Yet Malcolm himself attended, as he relates in his autobiography:

  Yes, I was there. I observed that circus. Who ever heard of angry revolutionists all harmoniz
ing “We Shall Overcome … Suum Day …” while tripping and swaying along arm-in-arm with the very people they were supposed to be angrily revolting against? … Hollywood couldn’t have topped it. (pp. 280–81)

  Malcolm clearly disapproved of the march, but instead of acting in the traditional NOI manner by avoiding the event, he actually attended in order to have his militant stance be heard. Thus, he satisfied both Elijah Muhammad and his own increasing desire to become a visible part of mass black nationalism.

  The FBI had received information that the schism between Malcolm and Elijah seemed to be healing, but apparently this information was incorrect. After Malcolm’s “chickens coming home to roost” comment, Elijah suspended him at first for ninety days, and then indefinitely. Malcolm’s submission to the suspension is well-documented in his autobiography, but the FBI also received a report of a conversation in which Malcolm and Elijah try to understand each other’s positions. The January 2 conversation is confusing, and many FBI deletions increase the difficulty of understanding the informant’s description. However, a close reading reveals that Malcolm appears to be attempting to submit to Elijah in full, but Elijah is intent on perpetuating the widening rift between them.

  An interesting letter to Director Hoover and a personal response from him hint at FBI activity against Malcolm X. The September 19, 1963 letter, written by a “concerned citizen,” questions “Are we doing anything to curb the activities of Black Muslim leader ‘Malcolm X’?” Comparing Malcolm to Hitler, the letter asks why he is not “stopped now before it is too late?” J. Edgar Hoover’s personal response to the inquiry states that the FBI is “unable to answer your specific inquiry due to the confidential nature of our files.” However, Hoover assures the writer that “the FBI is carrying out its responsibilities in the internal security field with the same dispatch and thoroughness which have characterized our investigations in the past.”