Malcolm X
Page 13
He warned that without a powerful and militant Negro press, the white press could deceive the Negro people with “its powerful, well-loaded, propaganda guns,” and its slanders of Negro officials. “The Negro people would be wise,” he added, “to keep this weapon (the Negro press) in good condition, strong, well-loaded, independent, alert and ready.”
ACTIVITY AT NEW YORK CITY
The Pittsburgh Courier, November 9, 1957 edition, carried an article captioned “Moslems Announce Million Dollar New York Suit,” which reads as follows:
NEW YORK. Echoes of a near-riot involving members of the Moslem sect of Prophet Elijah Muhammad and New York City police were revived here when Malcolm X announced that a million-dollar suit was being filed against local patrolmen.
Mr. Malcolm X announced that the suit was being filed by one Johnson X who was said to have been beaten into insensibility by arresting officers.
The suit, according to Malcolm X, was filed after a General Sessions Court decision ruled for the dismissal of all charges against Johnson X, who had been accused of felonious assault.
Johnson X was defended by Atty. Edward M. Jacko, along with three other individuals, two of whom were given suspended sentences and the third an acquittal.
One of the men who received a suspended sentence, Lloyd Young, is suing for $50,000 in damages from the beating allegedly inflicted on him by officers, said Malcolm X. The acquitted man, Frank Lee X, a Temple of Islam member, is seeking $75,000 in damages, Malcolm X announced.
According to Malcolm X, Johnson X is accusing officers with false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious and criminal prosecution among sundry other charges.
Malcolm X said, “Johnson X, who suffered severe and permanent brain injuries, had to undergo four major brain operations performed by Dr. Thomas W. Matthews, director of neurosurgery at the Coney Island Hospital.
A sizeable silver plate had to be inserted in Johnson’s head to replace a major portion of the bone which the police had destroyed in their savage battering of his skull. He will be permanently disabled, scarred and crippled for life, and he should be amply and adequately compensated.”
The ruckus involving Johnson X occurred last May when police moved in on a disturbance between a man named Reece V. Poe and an unknown woman. When police began beating Poe, Johnson X intervened and a near riot resulted.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES WRITTEN BY MALCOLM LITTLE
February 6, 1958
The GREAT CURSE of history is when we fail to learn or profit from the mistakes of those who have passed on before us.
Now that the Honorable Marcus Garvey is dead, many of us are making the very same mistake as the people of history . . . recognizing his glorious works among us TOO LATE. It seems that we too, like the people in the days of Moses and Jesus, are too busy paying tribute to the dead to recognize, receive and follow THE LIVING.
According to history, the Jews had been looking for an EMANCIPATOR, but when one of their own kind (Moses) came to them they immediately rejected and rebelled against him. Moses spoke of one “even greater than I” who was yet to come after him, but these same Jews who waited for Moses to die before accepting him as their EMANCIPATOR were so busy worshipping and paying tribute to this dead Moses that when Jesus came who looked like the fulfillment of Moses’ prediction, they rejected the LIVING ONE and lynched him on the cross (according to their own history of it).
This Jesus who preached in Palestine, which is on the Arabian Peninsula, also predicted the coming of one in the last days who would be yet “even greater than I,” but when a man named Muhammad came to these very same Semitic people preaching the NAKED TRUTH, according to history, they too rejected him and constantly plotted to murder him. Just like the other peoples of history, they were too busy following and paying tribute to some “dead leader” of the past to see, receive and follow the LIVING LEADER of the present.
Muhammad himself spoke of one who was yet to come who would be yet greater than he.
February 13, 1958
But history teaches us that it is difficult for a downtrodden people to accept LIVING LEADERS. The downtrodden have usually been so thoroughly robbed, deceived and BRAINWASHED (well indoctrinated) by their masters that their ignorant and superstitious minds seem incapable of seeing that a GREAT MAN has come to help them until after that man is dead and gone. Thus, the downtrodden always end up idolizing and paying tribute after he is dead, to the very same one whom they reject, condemn and persecute while he is living.
Will we never learn from the foolish mistakes of others? HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF: thus its historic WARNINGS should keep us on guard today.
The late Mr. Garvey came into this country awakening the downtrodden so-called Negroes to the importance of SELF, and trying to instill a Black Nationalistic spirit into us, but most of us were busy worshipping the “dead leaders” of the past, and some of us were IGNORANTLY waiting for these “dead leaders” to return from the grave, therefore we rejected the late Mr. Garvey and helped our white Christian slavemasters plot his downfall.
Now that Mr. Garvey is dead, again HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. Many who were Mr. Garvey’s greatest enemies are today his strongest advocates and defenders.
Tribute is still being paid to a DEAD Moses. Worship is being wasted on a DEAD Jesus. Millions honor a DEAD Muhammad. And, many respect and revere a DEAD Mr. Garvey.
All of these “followers” are seemingly sincere and are supposed to be intelligent. Yet, all are so busy whooping and hollering over THE DEAD, like others in history they are failing to see the greatest LIVING EMANCIPATOR and TRUTH BEARER that the world has ever known, who is right here in America today in the person of the Honorable ELIJAH MUHAMMAD.
This is the one whom Moses, Jesus and Muhammad all spoke of who would be here in America in the “last days” of the “white world” with a Divine Message of NAKED TRUTH which would give “life” (ISLAM) back to the long lost so-called Negroes, set us FREE from the clutches of our enemies and restore us back among Our Own Kind.
Did not Mr. Garvey declare that a “greater than he” was coming to carry Mr. Garvey’s uncompleted work into completion? Must we who were faithful followers of the late Mr. Garvey make the same mistake of the others in history, and wait until after this great man, Messenger ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, is gone before we too recognize him fearlessly and uncompromisingly by his works that HE IS FOR US?
Why must we always worship DEAD men? Why must we always follow DEAD leaders? It is because our ignorance has slowed our thinking ability so much that our minds can’t keep up with events, and by the time we realize what is happening the EMANCIPATOR is here and gone before we are mentally capable of recognizing him.
We should show forth greater wisdom TODAY. Let us forget the DEAD past and start concentrating all efforts on the LIVING PRESENT. “Let the DEAD bury the DEAD.”
SECTION 4
July 15, 1958–July 21, 1959
REPORTS:
1. July 15, 1958. New York
2. November 19, 1958. New York
3. May 19, 1959. New York
4. July 13, 1959. SAC, New York to Director. Airtel
5. July 16 and 21, 1959. Memo. Special Agent in Charge (SAC), New York to Director
This section begins with a July 2, 1958, FBI approval of a recommendation from the New York office that Malcolm be designated as “a key figure.” This designation meant that the FBI would keep “up-to-date Security Index cards on him separately,” an indication that the Bureau considered the Nation of Islam to be at least a potential threat to the nation’s internal security.
The new designation reflected Malcolm’s increasing visibility as a Muslim spokesperson and the FBI’s awareness of Malcolm’s growing involvement in international politics. A July 13 memorandum informed FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that Malcolm met with Premier Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt to set up talks between Nasser and Elijah Muhammad. Two other memos, dated July 16 and 21, contain the “substantially verbatim account” of parts one
and three of Mike Wallace’s “The Hate That Hate Produced,” which aired during the week of July 13–17, 1959. The text was sent to the Detroit Bureau “in view of the fact that NOI parochial schools in Chicago and Detroit were mentioned.” Part one contains Louis Lomax’s interview with Malcolm and part three contains an interview with NAACP leader Roy Wilkins, who claimed not to know who Elijah Muhammad was, even though Wallace showed pictures of Wilkins conversing with Malcolm X.
For the first time, the FBI includes speculations that Malcolm might want to succeed Elijah. Reporting on speeches in Chicago and Los Angeles, the FBI’s informant suggests that older members were “somewhat resentful” of Malcolm’s “extremely violent teachings and statements.” Another informant explains that Malcolm desires a separate nation for the NOI within the United States, possibly California, where the NOI might buy land.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
DATE: 7/2/58
FROM
:
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM LITTLE
SM-NOI
ReBulet 5/20/58, which states that in view of LITTLE’s increasing activities in the affairs of the NOI on a national level, the Bureau desires that the NYO consider him for designation as a key figure.
The NYO after due consideration believes that LITTLE should be designated a key figure in view of his extensive activity as Minister of Temple No. 7, 102 West 116th Street, New York City.
It is noted that Temple No. 7 has approximately three to four hundred members and that in his capacity as minister, LITTLE is the leader of Temple No. 7.
In addition, LITTLE travels to various temples throughout the United States and at meetings of these temples has made numerous speeches which are violent in nature wherein he attacks the United States and the white race.
UACB, the NYO is designating LITTLE a key figure and is placing this case in a pending inactive status.
The NYO will continue to follow LITTLE‘s activities and will submit a report within six months from the date of reBulet.
SAC, New York (105-8999)
July 15, 1958
Director, FBI (100-399321)
MALCOLM LITTLE
INTERNAL SECURITY - NOI
Reurlet 7/2/58.
The Bureau agrees with your designation of Little as a key figure. You will be furnished up-to-date Security Index cards on him separately.
Inasmuch as Little has been designated a key figure, you should obtain and forward to the Bureau a current photograph of him as well as suitable handwriting specimens.
You should carefully review that part of Section 87D of the Manual of Instructions relating to key figures.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Reporting Office: New York
Office of Origin: New York
Date: 11/19/58
Investigative Period: 10/1–3,9–24,28–31;11/3–5/58
Report made by: [BUREAU DELETION]
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was
Character of case: Internal Security - NOI
SYNOPSIS:
MALCOLM LITTLE is Minister of Temple No. 7 of the Nation of Islam (NOI) in New York City, and is considered one of the national leaders of the NOI. He travels extensively to various parts of the United States engaging in NOI work. [BUREAU DELETION] subject may aspire to replace ELIJAH MUHAMMAD as NOI leader. NOI activities, including meetings attended and pertinent portions of speeches made by subject, set forth. Subject resides at 25–46 99th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York.
At Chicago, Illinois
Subject was observed by Special Agents of the FBI on May 20, 1958, in the company of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD in Chicago, Illinois.
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject was present in Chicago at the funeral of MARIE MUHAMMAD, mother of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, which was held May 21, 1958.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that on [BUREAU DELETION] subject was present at the University of Islam in Chicago.
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject attended a meeting of the NOI on [BUREAU DELETION] at MUHAMMAD’s Temple No. 2, 5335 South Greenwood Avenue.
At this meeting MALCOLM stated that the so-called Negro was looking and searching for a modern-day MOSES to lead them, and intimated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is this modern-day MOSES. Subject stated that under the flag of Islam the so-called Negroes would receive freedom, justice and equality. He stated that the Christian Bible had been written by the “Christian slavemaster” to keep the so-called Negroes in slavery. He stated that if the so-called Negro does not stop following the “white devil,” the so-called Negro will be destroyed.
At Los Angeles, California
[BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM X was speaker at a NOI meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at Normandie Hall. . . .
MALCOLM stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was a lenient man, and that if it were left to his followers like himself, MALCOLM, they would take the heads off of every white man.
[BUREAU DELETION] that there appeared to be a feeling among a number of the older members of the NOI that MALCOLM X was going to do more harm than good, as they were somewhat resentful and would not accept his extremely violent teachings and statements, and that they felt that MALCOLM X is too inflammatory and too drastic.
MALCOLM pointed to the Muslim flag and then at the United States flag, and stated, “Which one of these do you think will survive the War of Armageddon? I don’t say who will survive or when. To win means to defeat your opponent. To survive is to be still left after completely destroying or obliterating your opponent. There will be no survivors among the losers.” [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM pointed to the Muslim flag after staling, “Come over to this and live.” He then pointed to the American flag, and stated, “because this and Christianity will be destroyed.”
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject was speaker at a NOI meeting on [BUREAU DELETION] at Normandie Hall. Among his remarks, subject stated as follows; “Who is our enemy?” At this point MALCOLM pointed at the United States flag and said, “This represents our enemy. As you know this is all we ever got from it. . .” He then pointed to a picture of a Negro hanging from a tree.
[BUREAU DELETION] that based on the speeches of MALCOLM, it seems apparent that MALCOLM believes that the United States government should give the Negro people a state. [BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM apparently believes that this would happen in the foreseeable future in about ten to fifteen years. For example, MALCOLM has explained that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has told him he does not want his state to be where it is too cold nor too hot, nor where there is no water outlet to an ocean or gulf. MALCOLM pointed out that California fits this description, and that the farm to be purchased by the NOI may be bought in California. MALCOLM explained that once you have a foothold you can expand and absorb until the entire state is yours, and that this is what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD would do.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Report of: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Office: NEW YORK
Date: 19 MAY 1959
File Number: New York 105-8999 Bureau file 100-399321
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Character: INTERNAL SECURITY-NOI
Synopsis:
MALCOLM LITTLE is Minister of Temple No. 7 of the NOI in New York City, and is considered one of the national leaders of the NOI. Information regarding his importance and position in the NOI set forth. LITTLE has traveled considerably throughout the United States on NOI business. Information regarding LITTLE’s visits to various NOI temples set forth. LITTLE has made numerous speeches setting forth the teachings and doctrines of the NOI, pertinent portions of which are set out. LITTLE resides at 25–46 99th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York.
NOI ACTIVITY AND STATEMENTS MADE
BY SUBJECT
In Buffalo, New York
On February 12, 1959, [BUREA
U DELETION] stated that a meeting of the MTI in Buffalo, New York, was held February 11, 1959, at the above address. [BUREAU DELETION] stated MALCOLM X was the speaker and he spoke as follows:
The Messenger wants everyone to do something for himself and to stop waiting for the white man to do everything for the Negro. He urged those in attendance to develop businesses so that the Negro could become self-dependent. He urged the followers of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD not to break any of the white man’s laws, pointing out that these laws must be obeyed. He stated that the Messenger did not want his followers to break any laws of the white race. The black man and the black woman should not mix with the white race because the white race is the enemy.
The above was verified in substance on February 19, 1959 by [BUREAU DELETION].
At Cleveland, Ohio
On February 18, 1959, [BUREAU DELETION] furnished information concerning a meeting of the MTI No. 18, held February 15, 1959, at 11005 Ashbury Avenue. [BUREAU DELETION] stated MALCOLM X from New York spoke as follows:
The so-called Negroes are so lazy that they are willing to suffer anything rather than go to work. When we find a brother who is lazy we put him out of the brotherhood. Laziness in Islam is a sin. Any man that does not work in Islam is no good.
At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On November 3, 1958, [BUREAU DELETION] furnished information concerning a meeting of the NOI in Philadelphia held October 29, 1958. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker and spoke as follows.