Editor’s note. Malcolm’s prepared statement first of all clarifies his position as a Muslim and as a separatist. No longer a member of the Nation of Islam but a Muslim nonetheless, Malcolm affirms that he still believes Elijah Muhammad’s solution to the plight of black people to be the best—i.e. complete separation of the blacks from white America and a return to their African homeland. He also sees it, however, as a long-range plan, and meanwhile twenty-two million American blacks are wanting for adequate food, clothing, housing, education and jobs. These problems demand solutions here and now.
Because he is no longer a member of the Nation of Islam (and not by his own free will, he points out), Malcolm feels he can take a more independent and flexible approach to the problems of black Americans. He does “not pretend to be a divine man,” he says, nor is he an educated man or “an expert in any particular field . . . but I am sincere,” he adds, “and my sincerity are my credentials.”
Malcolm would use all his personal resources, it would appear, not “to fight other Negro leaders or organizations,” but to “find a common approach, a common solution, to a common problem.” He continues by emphasizing that “the problem facing our people here in America is bigger than all other personal or organizational differences. Therefore, as leaders, we must stop worrying about the threat that we seem to think we pose to each other’s personal prestige, and concentrate our united efforts toward solving the unending hurt that is being done daily to our people here in America.”
Malcolm then declares his intent to organize a new mosque in New York. It will be called the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated, and will provide a religious, cultural and moral base for members of the black community. Black Nationalism, he asserts, will be the Mosque’s economic, social and political philosophy, which means in essence that blacks themselves “must control the politics and politicians of [their] community.” Malcolm also calls for the accent to be upon youth and “new ideas, new methods, new approaches.” Because established politicians have failed to solve the problems long facing American blacks, Malcolm says he wants “to see some new faces . . . more militant faces.”
Although at this time Malcolm would not refuse financial aid from whites, he would not as yet allow them into the Mosque membership. “There can be no black-white unity until there is first some black unity,” he explains, and “there can be no workers solidarity until there is first some racial solidarity “
Malcolm also speaks briefly to the point of nonviolence. Black people are being forced to be violent; they must fight back, he says, because they are constantly being victimized. As firearms are legal and as he would have his people obey the law, Malcolm advocates forming “rifle clubs” so that blacks can defend themselves and their property when emergencies arise and the government fails to protect them.
Malcolm concludes by challenging that government; if it finds his solution to the problems wrong, then let the government start doing its job, he advises.
Malcolm X then responded to questions from the various news representatives present, furnishing the following information:
Re Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
The mosque would have temporary headquarters at the Hotel Theresa, 2090 Seventh Avenue (at 125th Street), New York, New York, and there are no present plans for any mosque outside of New York City.
He would not have gone out on his own if he had not received evidence of support. He stated that in the last several days he had received numerous calls from all over the country offering him support and asking him to speak. Malcolm X stated he would make absolutely no effort to draw away any of the followers of Elijah Muhammad, but some NOI members have come over to him. He refused to reveal the number of NOI members who have come over to him, nor would he reveal the total number of his followers or identify them by name. He also stated that his mosque would have the same moral standards as the NOI. He stated that he would retain his name “Malcolm X” which he had obtained in the NOI.
Malcolm X also announced that his mosque would hold a “restricted” meeting at 8:30 P.M., Sunday, March 15, 1964, at the George Washington Carver Club, Amsterdam Avenue and 145th Street, New York City.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Chicago, Illinois
March 27, 1964
NATION OF ISLAM
INTERNAL SECURITY -
NATION OF ISLAM
The Nation of Islam (NOI), has not been designated pursuant to Executive Order 10450 and is characterized in later pages.
In late March, 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] advised as follows:
Elijah Muhammad was told by officials of the NOI that Malcolm Little had, on March 23, 1964, sent six of his followers to see one of the leaders of Elijah Muhammad’s mosque in New York City with instructions to tell him what to do and what not to do. Muhammad instructed that the police in New York City be notified that Little was interfering and that they should be told of the consequences which might come from acts of this type. Muhammad stated that if the law will not put a stop to this “our own should be told to do it.”
Muhammad was also told by NOI leaders that Malcolm Little was using his name, was pretending to be in good with him, and was only feuding with his, Muhammad’s, family.
Muhammad stated he had instructed Malcolm Little’s brother in Detroit, Michigan, to talk to Malcolm because Malcolm was going to get himself in trouble at the rate he was going.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Boston, Massachusetts
April 3, 1964
MUSLIM MOSQUE, INCORPORATED
On March 19, 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, advised that Malcolm X spoke at Leverett House, Harvard University, on March 18, 1964. The occasion was one of the periodic seminars held at Leverett House, and Malcolm X’s appearance was arranged by a teaching fellow at Harvard University, [BUREAU DELETION].
According [BUREAU DELETION] Malcolm X stated that he was starting a new movement which he believes will change this country’s foreign and domestic policies by giving Negroes political, social and economic philosophy.
Malcolm X stated his new movement is not “anti anything.” He wants the black man to control the politics in his own residential areas by voting, helping to choose and to support their own candidates. He wishes them to become economically sound by owning and investing in the businesses within the Negro areas, and he feels that they should become socially sound by complete separation from white people and organizing their own separate society. He proceeded that the Negro has become disillusioned with non-violent action and would be ready for any action which will get immediate results in their goal for civil rights. Malcolm X stated that the Negro realizes he is being exploited and lied to and is sick of it.
[BUREAU DELETION] made available the following information on March 25, 1964.
The “Bob Kennedy Show,” a program of Radio Station WBZ, Boston, Massachusetts, which is run nightly from 6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M., on March 24, 1964, had as its guest speaker Malcolm X Shabazz, identified as having been the spokesman for Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Black Muslims, until recently silenced by Elijah Muhammad. The subject of the program on that evening was to be “Negro—Separation and Supremacy.”
Malcolm X was questioned as to whether or not his being silenced by Elijah Muhammad was actually the result of a statement he had made shortly after the death of President John F. Kennedy or whether Elijah Muhammad had “dismissed” him because he was getting too popular with the Muslims and threatened the leadership of Elijah Muhammad, and this leadership being passed on to Elijah Muhammad’s son and son-in-law.
Malcolm X stated that his statement, “The chicken had gone home to roost,” when mentioning the death of President John F. Kennedy had been taken out of context. He stated that at the time the topic of his talk was “God’s Judgment on White America”; he had been trying to demonstrate that white America was reaping the harvest of the seed she had sown and had
been using incidents all over the world to illustrate this. His remark about “the chicken had gone home to roost” was meant as another illustration of the misfortunes that had come to the United States and was not meant to show any kind of relief over the unfortunate death of the President.
He stated that all these incidents that he was using as illustrations were merely prophecies of the Bible coming true and that he had pointed out he was happy to see these prophecies coming true, and he did not mean that he was happy about the death of the president.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
APRIL 14, 1964
TELETYPE
CODED TELETYPE
4-01 PM URGENT 4-14-64
TO DIRECTOR /4/ /100-399321/
FROM NEW YORK /105-8999/
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA
IS-NOI
LITTLE, UNDER ALIAS MALIK SHABAZZ, WITH PASSPORT NUMBER C TWO NINE FOUR TWO SEVEN FIVE, DEPARTED JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NYC, AT SEVEN O-CLOCK PM, APRIL THIRTEEN, LAST, ABOARD LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINE FLIGHT FOUR ZERO ONE FOR FRANKFURT, GERMANY. TO DEPART FRANKFURT ON APRIL FOURTEEN INSTANT, FOR CAIRO, EGYPT. LITTLE HAS ONE WAY TICKET WITH ITINERARY: NEW YORK TO FRANKFURT, TO CAIRO, TO JEDDA, SAUDI ARABIA, TO CAIRO. RETURN DATE UNKNOWN. LITTLE ANNOUNCED AT MUSLIM MOSQUE, INC., RALLY ON APRIL TWELVE, LAST THAT HE WOULD MAKE THREE WEEK AFRICAN TOUR EXPECTING TO LEAVE ON APRIL SIXTEEN NEXT. LHM FOLLOWS.
END
JS
FBI WASH, DC
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
April 15, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - Nation of Islam
On April 14, 1964 [BUREAU DELETION] advised that one “Shabazz” departed John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, aboard their flight number 401 at 7:00 P.M., April 13, 1964.
This flight was to Frankfurt, Germany, where “Shabazz” was scheduled to make connections for Cairo, Egypt, with Middle East Airlines. “Shabazz” would depart Frankfurt aboard flight number 788 of the latter airline at 5:35 P.M., April 14, 1964, due to arrive in Cairo at 10:55 P.M., April 14, 1964.
[BUREAU DELETION] “Shabazz” had made no advance reservation with Lufthansa, but appeared at the ticket counter shortly before flight time. “Shabazz” had purchased a one-way ticket for $1,300 cash from United Arab Airlines, New York City. His itinerary is as follows:
New York to Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt to Cairo, Egypt
Cairo to Jedda, Saudi Arabia
Jedda to Cairo
On April 14, 1964 [BUREAU DELETION] Immigration and Naturalization Service, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, advised that their records reflect that Malik Shabazz, 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, United States Passport number C294275, departed at 7:00 P.M., April 13, 1964, for Frankfurt, Germany, aboard Lufthansa flight number 401.
Malcolm Little is described as follows:
Name
Malcolm K. Little
Aliases
Malcolm X, Malcolm Shabazz
Malik Shabazz, Malik El Shabazz
Race
Negro
Sex
Male
Age
Thirty-eight
SECTION 11
February 6, 1964–May 22, 1964
REPORTS:
1. May 22, 1964. New York
2. June 9, 1964. New York
3. June 16, 1964. New York to Director. Teletype
4. June 18, 1964. New York
Section 11 combines information regarding Malcolm’s return from Africa on May 21, 1964, with reports of the suit to evict him from his home and repetitious reports from Section 10, added with slight modifications. Upon Malcolm’s return, he immediately called a press conference at which he stated that some African nations would support his fight to try the United States in the United Nations for violating the human rights of black Americans. In Africa, he had spoken several times and “he impressed on all of these people the fact that racial discrimination in America is sponsored by the government.”
After the judge had postponed it several times, the NOI’s eviction suit against Malcolm finally reached the courts in June, but the judge withheld his sentence until an “unknown future date.”
The last portions of the June 18 report can also be found in Section 10, but some reports are elaborated upon here. One of these repetitions, for instance, reports an FBI interview with Malcolm from February, the second of only two such interviews which Malcolm granted. In Section 10, Bayard Rustin’s name was in fact deleted from the text, whereas it remains visible in the report included in Section 11. (In this edition the interview has been placed in Section 10, with Rustin’s name restored.)
Sketchy details in Section 10 are made concrete. For instance, the full text of Malcolm’s speech from Section 10, report 5 is submitted. A brief history of the Muslim Mosque, Inc. appears, and actually refers the reader to Section 10 for details. Relationships with Civil Rights leaders and sports figures are set out, along with a summary of an alleged attempt upon Malcolm’s life, which the FBI, the NOI, and Malcolm all seem to agree never happened.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
May 22, 1964
Re: Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - NOI
By means of a pretext by a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on May 20, 1964, it was ascertained [BUREAU DELETION] that subject was scheduled to return from his tour of Africa on May 21, 1964, and would arrive at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, at 4:30 P.M., May 21, 1964. A press conference by subject was scheduled for 7:00 P.M. on that date and a reception for him was scheduled at 8:00 P.M. on May 21, 1964, in the Skyline Room, Hotel Theresa, New York City.
On May 21, 1964, Supervising Inspector John Adams, Immigration and Naturalization Service, New York City, advised that subject, using the name Malik El Shabazz, arrived at 4:25 P.M. that date aboard Pan American flight 115 from Paris, France. He had passport number C294275, and his destination was his residence at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City.
Concerning the press conference mentioned above, the following article (in part) appeared in the New York Times, a New York City daily newspaper, of May 22, 1964, Late City Edition, page 22, column 5:
MALCOLM SAYS HE IS BACKED ABROAD
Asserts U.N. Will Get Case on U.S. Negro This Year
Malcolm X, the Negro nationalist leader, said yesterday he had received pledges of support from some new African nations for charges of discrimination against the United States in the United Nations.
The case against the United States for its treatment of the Negro people, he said, would be prepared and submitted to the United Nations sometime this year. He did not say which nations intended to lodge the formal charges.
Malcolm, speaking at a press conference in Harlem following his return from a trip to Africa and Mecca, said the pledges had been received from the heads of all the countries he visited. Among the nations on his itinerary were Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
The case to be presented to the world organization, he asserted, would compel the United States Government to face the same charges as South Africa and Rhodesia.
The United States, he asserted, has colonized the Negro people just as the people of Africa and Asia were colonized by Europeans. He described the American method as neo-colonialism.
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.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
June 9, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
&n
bsp; Internal Security - Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
From 11:40 P.M., June 8, 1964, to 12:30 A.M., June 9, 1964, subject was the guest on the “Barry Gray Show” over Radio Station WMCA, New York, New York. Prior to the interview of subject by Mr. Gray, the latter telephonically interviewed Alabama’s Governor George Wallace.
In commenting on Governor Wallace, subject stated that he made no distinction between Governor Wallace and President Lyndon B. Johnson, except in their methods. Little also characterized the United States government as a racist government since the majority of all congressional committees are headed and dominated by congressmen from the South.
Subject spoke of his recently completed tour of Africa, describing it as the “greatest place on earth.” He stated he had toured Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. In Arabia, he made the twelve-day pilgrimage to Mecca, where his outlook was broadened when he saw how belief in Allah by men of all races eliminates racial distinctions.
Little claimed that while in Ghana he met with the ambassadors there from Cuba and Communist China, both of whom gave dinners in his honor. He also addressed members of the Ghana Parliament and he impressed on all of these people the fact that racial discrimination in America is sponsored by the government.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
JUNE 16, 1964
TELETYPE
CODED TELETYPE
FBI NEW YORK
Malcolm X Page 23