Malcolm X

by Manning Marable

  228 “that the whole Dark World is with them.ʺ DeCaro, On the Side of My People, p. 185.

  228 “tired of hearing about Muslims being pistol-whipped.” FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964.

  229 newspaper salesmen were sentenced to sixty days in jail. See Muhammad Speaks, February 4, 1963; and Militant, February 4, 1963.

  229 “for a wind to come along and fan the breeze.” Malcolm X address, “Twenty Million Black People in a Political, Economic and Mental Prison,” in Bruce Perry, ed., Malcolm X: The Last Speeches (New York: Pathfinder, 1989), pp. 25-57.

  229 “or accomplishment that black people want.” Ibid.

  229 “They usually go and use the economic weapon.” Ibid. Also see “Muslim Leader Asks Negro Nation in U.S.,ʺ Chicago Defender, January 26, 1963.

  230 “if the Negro could ‘speak as an American.’” “Meredith, Gantt Entries ‘Hypocritical’: Malcolm X,ʺ Chicago Defender, January 31, 1963.

  230 plan for a separate black state inside the United States. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, May 6, 1963.

  230 his responsibility. No one was arrested. DeCaro, On the Side of My People, p. 185; and MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, May 16, 1963, p. 19.

  231 for their bail had been forwarded by Elijah Muhammad. MX FBI, Summary, New York Office, May 16, 1963, pp. 18-20.

  231 hundreds of protesters down affluent midtown Manhattan streets. Ibid.

  231 “denied the leadership if he wants it.” Alfred Balk and Alex Haley, “Black Merchants of Hate,” Saturday Evening Post, vol. 236 (January 26, 1963), pp. 67-74.

  232 but the crowd still buzzed with whispers of impropriety. Natambu, Malcolm X, p. 263.

  232 had a “very nasty attitude.” “Negroes: Death, Lost Sheep,” February 13, 1964, MXC-S, box 9, folder 1.

  232 find a way around the family’s demands. Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 17.

  233 “attempts to advise and tell the family what to do.” MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, May 16, 1963, p. 21.

  233 Muhammad’s sexual misconduct in the mid-1950s. Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography, p. 301.

  233 “he was tearing me apart behind my back.” Ibid., p. 303.

  233 “You are a married man!” Marable, Living Black History, p. 172.

  233 Malcolm “would really hurt Betty.” Louis Farrakhan interview, December 27, 2007.

  234 in early April flew to Phoenix to learn his future. Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography, pp. 303-4.

  Chapter 9: “He Was Developing Too Fast”

  235 “than the positive fact of David’s killing Goliath.” Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography, p. 304.

  235 “man’s wife, I’m that David,” he told Malcolm. Ibid., p. 305.

  235 his goal was to “inoculate” the Nation’s rank and file. Ibid. Also see Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 113-14; Clegg, An Original Man, pp. 188, 191-92; and DeCaro, On the Side of My People, p. 191.

  236 ease the news of Muhammad’s transgressions. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, November 15, 1963, pp. 6, 9.

  236 Elijah Muhammad, but was reluctant to bring it up with him. James 67X Warden interview, June 18, 2003.

  236 “doctrine to Muslims, and current events, and politics.” Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography , pp. 300-301.

  236 “and also the devils in that city.” Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm Shabazz, April 25, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 6.

  236 “negative attitude” toward Muhammad Speaks. FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964; and MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, May 15, 1963, and May 23, 1963.

  237 contacting Joseph directly on mosque matters. Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 163.

  237 “our people to our one from the Speaker’s Stand!” Open letter from Elijah Muhammad, April 25, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 8.

  237 “the No. 2 man of the Black Muslim sect.” “Malcolm X Coming Here,” Washington Post, May 1, 1963.

  237 black street crime in the nation’s capital. “Malcolm X in D.C. with Solution to Crime Rate,” Chicago Defender, May 13, 1963. The press conference was held on May 9, 1963.

  238 at the invitation of the local minister, Jeremiah X. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, May 15, 1963; and MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, November 15, 1963, p. 26.

  238 “he is a four-legged dog or a two-legged dog.” “Malcolm X in D.C. with Solution to Crime Rate.”

  238 The trial of fourteen Muslims began on April 8, 1964. “14 Muslims Go on Trial in Fatal Riot,” Los Angeles Times, April 9, 1963.

  238 “circulated in a dense crowd outside.” Bill Lane, “Jury Selection for Muslim Trial Fair,” Los Angeles Sentinel, April 12, 1963; and “14 Muslims Go on Trial in Fatal Riot.”

  238 all-white jury of eleven women and one man was sworn in. “Row Flares Over Jurors in Muslim Riot Trial,” Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1963. Reporter Bill Lane of the Los Angeles Sentinel claimed that six of the twelve jurors were black. See Lane, “Jury Selection for Muslim Trial Fair.”

  238 separate section was created for the women. “Negroes Ask Segregated Court Seats,” Los Angeles Times, May 1, 1963.

  238 would be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. “Muslim Riot Described by Officer,” Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1963.

  238 who had killed Ronald Stokes, and provocatively took several photos of him. “Top New York Muslim Says L.A. Is on Trial,” Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1963.

  239 “white people of the country are in agreement with the Nazis.” Gladwin Hill, “Muslims’ Defense Opened on Coast,” New York Times, May 12, 1963; “Use of Word ‘Negro’ Issue in Muslim Trial,” Chicago Defender, May 8, 1963; and “Malcolm X Raps L.A. Press as Favoring Cops in Trial,” Chicago Defender, May 25, 1963.

  239 “I just thought I might lose my temper.” “Muslim Trial Interrupted by Attorney,” Los Angeles Times, May 7, 1963.

  239 “so they would have a reason to shoot us.” “Muslim Trial to Jury, Malcolm X Is Rousted,” Los Angeles Sentinel, May 23, 1963.

  239 had made their point, and beat a hasty retreat. Ben Burns, “First Negro-Owned Station to Hit Airwaves,” Chicago Defender, May 8, 1963; and “Negro Picket Slugged at Black Muslim Rally,” Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1963.

  239 failed to reach unanimous verdicts on two others. “9 Muslims Guilty in Coast Riot,” Los Angeles Times, June 14, 1963; and “11 Convicted on 37 of 42 Counts in Muslim Trial,” Los Angeles Sentinel, June 20, 1963.

  239 the prisoners’ probation hearing on their behalf. “Black Muslim Rioters Get Prison Terms,” Chicago Tribune, August 1, 1963; and “6 Jurors Say Muslims Got Unfair Trial,” Atlanta Daily World, September 1, 1963.

  240 he met privately with Green for two hours. C. Portis, “Celebrities and Celebrators Pour into City,” New York Herald Tribune, May 15, 1963; MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, May 15, 1963; and “Miscellaneous Financial Documents,” MXC-S, box 11, folder 15.

  240 “had demonstrated their ability to defend themselves.” “Black Muslim Raps Hearing Postponement,” Washington Post, May 17, 1963; M. S. Handler, “Malcolm X Scores Kennedy on Racial Policy,” New York Times, May 17, 1963; and “Malcolm X Denounces JFK on Civil Rights,” Chicago Defender, May 25, 1963.

  240 “fox will eat you with a smile instead of a scowl.” MX FBI, Memo, Washington Office, May 13, 1963, May 14, 1963, and May 23, 1963; “400 Hear Malcolm X Speak Here,” Washington Post, May 13, 1963; DeCaro, On the Side of My People, p. 163; and Clegg, An Original Man, p. 217.

  241 “better with whites than Negroes who are Christians.” “Malcolm X Denies Muslims Preach Hate,” Chicago Defender, October 18, 1962; “‘Rights Violated’—Muslims,” Chicago Defender, October 20, 1962; and “Muslims Chained in N.Y. Courtroom,” Amsterdam News, October 27, 1962.

  241 “cheating, stealing . . . all forms of vice.” “Malcolm X in Court,” Amsterdam News, November 17, 1962.

  241 at the Lorton Reformatory, located in Virginia. H. D. Quigg, “Debate Muslim Claim to Be Legitim
ate Religion,” Chicago Defender, June 18, 1963.

  241 had conducted a service at Lorton back in May. MX FBI, Memo, Washington Office, June 3, 1963; and MX FBI, Memo, Washington Office, August 6, 1963.

  241 American Civil Liberties Union at once took up the issue. “D.C. Rejects Malcolm X Prayer Role,” Washington Post, June 29, 1963; and “Black Muslim Tension Eases,” Washington Post, August 1, 1963.

  241 Malcolm added, was “just another [prison] warden.” Transcript of Kenneth Clark interview of Malcolm X, aired on WNDT-TV, New York City, and WGBH-TV, Boston, on June 4, 1963, MXC-S, box 5, folder 11.

  242 “If you are caught, you will wish you were dead.” FBI—Sharrieff, Summary Report, Chicago Office, August 19, 1963.

  243 fellow lieutenants, or other FOI “enforcers.” Thomas 15X Johnson (also known as Khalil Islam) interview, September 29, 2004.

  243 “They didn’t deserve even to be killed.” Louis Farrakhan interview, December 27, 2007.

  243 “because that puts him in a bad position.” Thomas 15X Johnson interview, September 29, 2004.

  243 saying, “Brother, you’re just spiritual.” Louis Farrakhan interview, December 27, 2007.

  243 own group of Fruit for that particular assignment. Thomas 15X Johnson interview, September 29, 2004.

  244 “that’s unheard of, man, violating like that.” Ibid.

  244 “This was a law. It was untouchable.” Ibid.

  245 “‘Larry has lost his mind. He’s messing with them Muslims!’” Larry 4X Prescott (also known as Akbar Muhammad) interview, November 7, 2007.

  245 “Georgia on it, he said, ‘Elijah answered our prayers.' ʺ Ibid., June 9, 2006.

  245 Malcolm was the “boss of the bosses.” Ibid.

  246 “That was the signal: close out and bring him on.” Ibid., November 7, 2007.

  246 millions of non-Islamic African Americans. Alex Haley, “Malcolm X Interview,” Playboy, vol. 10, no. 5 (May 1963), pp. 53, 56-60, 62.

  246 strategy of integration that was doomed to failure. Ibid., pp. 56-57.

  247 “very much taken aback when Playboy kept its word.” Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography , p. 392.

  247 “and made me the man that I am today.” Ibid., pp. 393-94.

  248 the completion of the biography. Alex Haley to Malcolm X, “Author/Collaborator Letter of Agreement,” June 1, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 6.

  248 with projected total sales of twenty thousand. “Production Information,” June 5, 1963, The Ken McCormick Collection of the Records of Doubleday and Company (KMC), Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, box 44, folder 9.

  248 “the manuscript that you want in the manuscript.” Haley, ʺ Author/ Collaborator Letter of Agreement.”

  248 petty Negro bourgeoisie that he enjoyed ridiculing. Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography, pp. 393-95.

  248 with “As told to Alex Haley.” Alex Haley to Oliver Swan, August 5, 1963, Anne Romaine Collection, Special Collections Library, University of Tennessee (UTLSC), Knoxville, Tennessee, series I, box 3, folder 24.

  248 “when mine are almost a complete antithesis of his.” Ibid.

  249 to fly to Chicago for an interview with Elijah Muhammad. Alex Haley to Paul Reynolds, September 5, 1963, ibid.

  249 complete the entire work by the end of October 1963. Alex Haley to Paul Reynolds, September 22, 1963, ibid.

  249 “such as we had, will be the most productive.” Alex Haley to Malcolm X, September 25, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 6.

  249 ʺas neat and attractive as that of her husband.ʺ Ann Geracimos, “Mrs. Malcolm X—Her Role as Wife,” New York Herald Tribune, June 30, 1963. Although the article was theoretically about Betty, Malcolm peppered the interview with attacks on “Western civilization,” which had “destroyed women’s femininity. . . . It is oriented to make a woman what she is not. Western society has lost touch with home and family.”

  249 “no two people should stay together who can’t get along.” Ibid.

  250 climaxing with two days of public activities. D’Emilio, Lost Prophet, p. 328.

  250 “unemployment, especially as it related to minority groups.” “Preamble to the March on Washington,” Carbada and Weise, eds., Time on Two Crosses, pp. 1 12-15.

  250 John Lewis, its national chair, to represent the organization. D’Emilio, Lost Prophet, pp. 340-42, 355.

  250 was persuaded to support the Washington march. David J. Garrow, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (New York: Vintage, 1986), pp. 265, 268.

  250 Kennedy administration to offer its endorsement. D’Emilio, Lost Prophet, pp. 344-45; and Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 102-3.

  250 in Harlem—on West 130th Street. D’Emilio, Lost Prophet, p. 340.

  251 Martin Luther King, Jr., and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Mosque No. 7 Press Releases for June 29, 1963, Harlem Rally, MXC-S, box 5, folder 17.

  251 made it impossible for him to address the rally. Telegram, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., to Malcolm X, June 28, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 11.

  251 dispatched to the rooftops to observe both crowd and cops. Thomas P. Ronan, “Malcolm X Tells Rally in Harlem Kennedy Fails to Help Negroes,” New York Times, June 30, 1963; “Romney Bobs Up and Leads Rights Parade,” Chicago Tribune, June 30, 1963; FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964; and FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, December 13, 1964.

  251 “a comprehensive united front of African Americans.” “Muhammad Son Calls for Unity,” Muhammad Speaks, July 20, 1963; “Muhammad’s Son at Rally Saturday,” Amsterdam News, July 13, 1963; and NOI Mosque No. 7 Press Release, “Elijah Muhammad’s Son to Speak in Harlem at Outdoor Rally,” MXC-S, box 5, folder 17.

  251 “ready to help us win our freedom.” Lomax, When the Word Is Given, pp. 84-87.

  252 “‘Islamic' and more 'political' in the days just ahead.” Ibid., pp. 87-91. Writing in late 1963, Lomax was convinced that Akbar Muhammad, or “almost certainly” another son of Elijah Muhammad, would inherit the leadership of the NOI; Malcolm X would never lead the Nation, Lomax believed: “I see Malcolm, then, not as the maximum leader, but as prime minister and behind-the-scenes policy maker.”

  252 “this message that I have been assigned to.” “Islamic Exports Plan to Microscope Muslims,” Chicago Defender, July 15, 1963.

  253 “these policemen put us into those paddy wagons.” “Police Haul Off 300 Pickets in Racial Protest,” Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1963.

  253 “the New York police is that this is 1963.” Homer Bigart, “Building Trades Accused of Snub by Racial Groups,” New York Times, August 6, 1963.

  253 that brought out more than three hundred people. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, November 15, 1963, pp. 5, 6, 7, and 12; FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964; and FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, February 13, 1964.

  253 “no real differences” between the various civil rights groups. Martin Arnold, “Brooklyn Rally Held by Muslims,” New York Times, July 28, 1963.

  253 “use his teeth” if he had to protect himself. FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964.

  253 that increasingly troubled Malcolm. Evanzz, The Messenger, p. 266.

  253 “his brother Malcolm for the next six.” Ben Burns, ʺJFK Gags About TFX and Malcolm X,ʺ Chicago Defender, June 5, 1963.

  254 “use U.S.A. or the American Government.” Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm Shabazz, August 1, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 8.

  254 “[the march], he joined it,” Malcolm told the crowd. “Muslim Leader Plans to Join Washington March,” Chicago Defender, August 10, 1963.

  254 “be wise in your decision when choosing.” FBI—Sharrieff, Summary Report, Chicago Office, February 19, 1964.

  254 in Washington, speaking at a local NOI meeting. Ibid., p. 11.

  255 “this present Catholic administration.” “Unity Rally,” August 18, 1963, MXC-S, box 5, folder 3.

  25
5 Southern Democrat and taking place within one year. Ibid.

  255 Fard never claimed, at least not publicly. DeCaro, On the Side of My People, pp. 166-67.

  255 story of Yacub and the white devils. Branch, Pillar of Fire, pp. 130-31.

  255 “to do whatsoever with the March,” he insisted. ʺNAACP Official Says 250,000 Will March,” Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1963. Malcolm’s statement was taken from a CBS television interview.

  255 “an Emancipation Proclamation a hundred years ago.” William Raspberry, “Rights Leaders Reaffirm Belief That Marchers Will Be Orderly,” Washington Post, August 26, 1963.

  256 “a part of history that we should be a part of.” Larry 4X Prescott interview, November 7, 2007.

  256 that they were duped by whites in power. “The Farce on Washington,” no date, MXC-S, box 5, folder 5. Also see “‘No Muslims in D.C. March’: Malcolm X,ʺ Chicago Defender, August 26, 1963.

  257 ʺepicenter of black America on that day.” Peter Goldman interview, July 12, 2004; and Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 102-6.

  257 association with Malcolm would damage their image. Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, p. 104.

  257 “You’re probably right,” Rustin replied. Ibid., p. 107.

  258 fully inclusive for the first time in history. Garrow, Bearing the Cross, p. 383.

  258 audience gave its consent for every demand. Ibid., pp. 284-85.

  258 a shady tree, looking out over the crowd. Manning Marable comment, in Peter Goldman interview, July 12, 2004.

  258 racial separation, and if not, “they will die.” FBI—Sharrieff, Summary Report, Chicago Office, February 19, 1964; FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, February 13, 1964; and FBI—Gravitt, Summary Report, New York Office, January 27, 1964.

  259 “He will follow me until he dies.” Malcolm X and Haley, Autobiography, pp. 297-300; and Clegg, An Original Man, pp. 181, 324. According to Armiya Nu’man, an assistant minister under Farrakhan at Mosque No. 7 in the early 1970s, the first NOI national minister had been Sultan Muhammad, minister of Milwaukee’s Temple No. 3 in the 1930s. Malcolm was only the second national minister to be named in the Nation.