Malcolm X
Page 17
The FBI includes important information about NOI relationships with other organizations. The NOI had attempted to solicit aid from the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party in order to attain its goal of forming a separate nation within the United States. The Bureau reports Malcolm’s January 1961 meeting with Ku Klux Klan officials. FBI memos would refer to this meeting again shortly before Malcolm’s death in 1965, when Malcolm began to indict the NOI for its past alliances, which he stated were not in the best interests of black people.
SAC, New York (105-7809)
June 1, 1960
Director, FBI (25-330971)
NATION OF ISLAM
INTERNAL SECURITY - NOI
Rerep SA [BUREAU DELETION] dated 5/17/60, at New York captioned “Malcolm K. Little.”
[BUREAU DELETION] a movie was shown which “was about FBI intelligence, how they work with the local police, and their training, and their lab.” Bufiles are negative concerning previous receipt of this information.
From the description in rerep, the film allegedly shown strongly resembles A Day With The FBI, which is an eighteen-minute color film dealing basically with the working of the FBI Laboratory, its cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, and illustrates science in crime detection. A copy of this film has been previously furnished your office.
Promptly review the files of your office [BUREAU DELETION]. If this film was charged out or loaned to someone outside the Bureau that individual should be interviewed to determine where the film was [BUREAU DELETION] and whether this film was loaned by that individual to another, or otherwise out of his possession. In tracing this film back to an individual or individuals beyond the one to whom the film was charged out or loaned, same should be interviewed unless the files of your office contain information which would make such an interview inadvisable. If such is the case, notify the Bureau, setting forth the facts why you deem the interview inadvisable and submit your recommendations whether the Bureau should or should not grant authority for such an interview. You should also advise the Bureau the steps taken by your office to develop complete identification of this film [BUREAU DELETION]. In the event you took no action and it is now determined the film is identical with the Bureau’s film, explanation of all personnel involved should be obtained and submitted to the Bureau, together with your recommendation for administrative action.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Report of: [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Date: 11/17/60
Office: New York, New York
File Number: New York 105-8999
Bureau File No: 100-399321
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Character: INTERNAL SECURITY-NOI
Synopsis:
Subject resides 23-11 97th St., East Elmhurst, Queens, NY, is the Minister of NOI Temple No. 7, NYC, and is considered one of the national leaders of the NOI. He travels extensively throughout the U.S. on NOI business and information regarding his attendance and participation in NOI affairs is set out, along with portions of his speeches and speeches by another in his presence, that indicates the teachings and directions of the NOI. One source believes subject desires to take over the NOI on death of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and that he also is considering running for public office, possibly U.S. Congress. Subject contacted Cuban Premier FIDEL CASTRO while latter in NYC, during September, 1960, to attend the UN General Assembly.
Comments by MALCOLM LITTLE:
At New York, New York
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that at the NOI meeting held on May 15, 1960, subject was the speaker and he stated that the future of the black man in North America is to become the leader of the world, and this is nothing new since the black man is the true leader. According to the informant, subject further stated that “the whole earth belongs to the black man. The white man on the earth is only a passing fancy. . . . The black man can live without the white man but the white man cannot live without the black man. . . . We, the black men of the world, created the white man and we will also kill him. . . . We must destroy him for only in this way can there be peace on earth.”
According to [BUREAU DELETION] subject further stated that there are no good white people on the face of the earth and that when the time comes to kill all of the white devils, all of our black brothers and sisters who think that there are some good ones will die right along with them.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that at the NOI meeting held on June 5, 1960, the subject was the speaker and he stated that we must have some land of our own so that we can deal with other nations around the world, since Mr. MUHAMMAD has an agreement with every black nation all over the world. Subject also stated that if you have something that is not doing you any good then get rid of it and with this, according to source, subject threw the Holy Bible on the floor and said “that’s where it belongs.”
NOI and Political Aspirations
of MALCOLM LITTLE
[BUREAU DELETION] advised in August, and again in October, 1960, that from personal contact and conversation with subject it is his impression that subject is attempting to form a nucleus of followers within the NOI in order to take over the NOI on the death of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, although subject continues to openly refer to MUHAMMAD’s son, WALLACE, as the logical successor.
During the same period, [BUREAU DELETION] also stated that in his opinion, subject is considering running for public office in Harlem, possibly for the United States Congress, in order to obtain power for himself.
Subject’s Contact with Cuban Premier
FIDEL CASTRO, at New York, New York,
September, 1960
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on September 21, 1960, that in conversation with subject on that date, subject stated that he had visited with CASTRO for approximately thirty minutes in his Hotel Theresa room. The source advised that LITTLE stated that during his visit he told CASTRO, in reference to CASTRO himself, that usually when one sees a man whom the United States is against, there is something good in that man. To this CASTRO replied that only the people in power in the United States are against him, not the masses. LITTLE further expressed the opinion that any man who represented such a small country that would stand up and challenge a country as large as the United States must be sincere.
[BUREAU DELETION] further stated that LITTLE denied that the meeting with CASTRO was prearranged and LITTLE further stated that the NOI was not allied with CASTRO or with any foreign power on earth. LITTLE stated that the NOI was allied with God in whom they believe, hence, they cannot be affiliated with Communism since it is atheistic.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that in explaining his reason for the visit, LITTLE stated that he was on a committee which was formed to meet and greet any of the African delegates to the United Nations when they came to Harlem, and when he heard that CASTRO had moved to a hotel in Harlem, he felt that as a representative of this committee he should greet CASTRO. LITTLE also stated he was the only member of the committee available at the time of the visit, hence, he went to the meeting with CASTRO accompanied by three NOI members and two members of the Negro press.
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
February 21, 1961
Re: Nation of Islam
Internal Security - NOI
A confidential source, who has furnished reliable information in the past, advised on [BUREAU DELETION] 1961, that Malcolm X Little, Minister of Nation of Islam (NOI) Temple No. 7, New York, New York, stated on February 20, 1961, that he and the NOI are very upset over the fact that the NOI has been accused of being behind the recent demonstrations at the United Nations over the death of former Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, when i
n fact they had absolutely nothing to do with them. Malcolm X stated that this publicity, which has ruined the good name of the NOI, has appeared in numerous United States and foreign newspapers which he himself has reviewed. Malcolm X claimed that this false accusation is based on a false statement attributing the demonstrations to the NOI by New York City Police Commissioner Stephen Kennedy and that the NOI plans some retaliatory action unless an apology is forthcoming from Commissioner Kennedy and a retraction is printed in the newspapers.
This source advised that Malcolm X did not say what retaliatory action would be taken by the NOI, but that this action would be decided upon at the forthcoming NOI Convention to be held at Chicago, Illinois, on February 25 and 26, 1961. Malcolm X further stated that whatever action is decided upon it will embarrass New York City, New York State and the United States governments even more than the NOI has been embarrassed by this publicity.
DIRECTOR, FBI(25-330971)
SAC, BOSTON (97-145)
NATION OF ISLAM
4/6/61
IS-NOI
On Friday, March 24, 1961, at 8:00 P.M., the Harvard Law School forum presented a program, “The American Negro: Problems and Solution.” This program was in the nature of debate with MALCOLM X (LITTLE), identified as a “black Muslim leader,” presenting the point of view in favor of complete segregation between the Negro and the white man, as the solution to the Negro problems. WALTER CARRINGTON, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Massachusetts State Commission Against Discrimination, spoke in favor of integration of the Negro and the white man as a solution to Negro problems.
SA [BUREAU DELETION] attended this affair, which was held in Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, before an estimated audience of sixteen hundred persons, about twenty percent of whom were Negroes. Most of the Negro audience were judged to belong to the NOI based on the headdress worn by the females and the golden emblem worn in the lapel of the men’s suitcoats.
The speakers were introduced by ROGER D. FISHER, Professor of Law, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The first speaker was MALCOLM X, introduced as one of the leading figures in the “black Moslem” movement and minister of that movement’s mosque in New York City. Professor FISHER gave a background sketch of MALCOLM X and stated MALCOLM X was brought up in Michigan, was the only black pupil in his school classes, and his ability and brilliance in school often brought down the resentment of his white classmates upon him. MALCOLM‘s home burnt to the ground while the local Fire Department refused to fight a fire in a Negro home. MALCOLM X traveled all about the country committing all types of illegal acts and was confined in Massachusetts State Prison where he became converted to Islam and became a follower of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD.
MALCOLM X commenced his talk by stating that it must be appreciated that the movement he is a part of is not political in nature, but entirely religious. He explained that the followers of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD believe ELIJAH is one of the prophets mentioned in the Bible and is as great as the prophets JESUS or MUHAMMAD. ELIJAH MUHAMMAD‘s followers believe that he is the last and greatest of the prophets. As a prophet, God, whom Muslims call ALLAH, speaks through ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. When ELIJAH MUHAMMAD sets forth a program of any sort, such as segregation of the Negro from the white man, his followers must accept it as coming directly from ALLAH. They have no choice but to accept it as right and as the will of ALLAH.
MALCOLM X’s talk continued in a religious vein. He discussed the three hundred years of slavery of the “so-called American Negro,” who are denied the opportunity to be taught or to practice the Muslim religion which MALCOLM X claimed was the religion of their forefathers. MALCOLM X discussed the great Negro civilizations from which the forefathers of the “so-called American Negroes” were brought into slavery. He pointed out that many accusations are made against ELIJAH MUHAMMAD as not being a true Muslim and as not practicing the true Muslim religion. He repudiated these accusations by pointing out that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD recently traveled to the Far [sic] East, even visiting the Holy City of Mecca and was everywhere received by Muslim leaders and welcomed as a true Muslim.
MALCOLM X discussed the program demanded by ELIJAH MUHAMMAD that the United States give land to the Negroes in this country in which the Negroes can set up their own government, be segregated from the white race and build their own economy. MALCOLM X stated that the United States government should assist this new country in any way necessary for a period of forty-five to fifty years until the country can get on its feet and make its own way.
MALCOLM X claimed that God plans to destroy all opposition to ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. This will come about through the War of Armageddon which will end with black supremacy. He mentioned this war as a prophecy in the Bible and made no mention of Muslim participation in it. MALCOLM X referred to his group on several occasions as “the black masters.” This reference appeared to describe the position the followers of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD would be in following the War of Armageddon.
WALTER CARRINGTON was introduced as a Negro graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, a member of the Massachusetts Bar and a practicing attorney in Massachusetts. Mr. CARRINGTON attacked MALCOLM X’s position of segregation of the Negro as “the greatest boon to the Ku Klux Klan since the invention of the bed sheet.” He pointed out that the “black Moslems” claim to number a hundred thousand. He stated that this is a relatively small and insignificant group when the entire twenty million Negroes are considered as a group. Mr. CARRINGTON believes that the remaining nineteen million, nine hundred thousand Negroes are not in sympathy with the “black Moslems” and wanted [sic] integration and want it now. Mr. CARRINGTON pointed out that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has figured out that the War of Armageddon was to take place in 1914, but God has given seventy years grace to the Negro to afford him an opportunity to join ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. This would place the date of the War of Armageddon at 1984. Mr. CARRINGTON stated that the Negro doesn’t want to wait until then, but wants integration and civil rights now. He called the “black Moslems” a segment of the Negro race which has done nothing to advance the Negroes’ position. CARRINGTON stated that MALCOLM X has stated his beliefs and explained his religion, but he has not told the audience what he actually teaches inside the temples which the white man is forbidden to enter and what he is teaching on the streets of Harlem in New York City.
It was noted that the NOI members in attendance did not applaud CARRINGTON during his talk except upon the rare occasion when MALCOLM X applauded. At the conclusion they offered no applause for CARRINGTON’s address until MALCOLM X finally started to clap. The entire audience was orderly and no incidents were noted.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Report of: [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Office: New York,
New York
Date: 5/17/61
Field Office
Bureau
File No. 105-8999
File No. 100-399321
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Character: INTERNAL SECURITY - NOI
Synopsis:
Subject continues to reside at 21-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, and is a national NOI leader and the full-time minister of NOI Temple No. 7, New York, New York. Subjects’s extensive NOI activities at New York and in various parts of the U.S. set forth. Also set forth are the subject’s public appearances not sponsored by the NOI, his contact with representatives of the KKK . . . and comments relative to Communism and Russia.
Contact With The KKK
The KKK has been designated by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to Executive Order 10450.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on January 30, 1961, that certain Klan officials met with leaders of the NOI on the night of January 28, 1961, in Atlanta, Georgia. One of these NOI leaders identified himself as MALCOLM X of New York, and it was the source’s understanding that MALCOLM X claimed to have a hundred seventy-five thousand fo
llowers who were complete separationists, were interested in land and were soliciting the aid of the Klan to obtain land. During this meeting subject stated that his people wanted complete segregation from the white race, and that land obtained would be occupied by them and they would maintain their own businesses and government. Subject further stated that the Jew is behind the integration movement, using the Negro as a tool. Subject was further quoted as stating that his people would do anything to defend their beliefs and promote their cause and in his opinion there would be violence some day. Subject was further quoted as saying at this meeting that if one of his people went against their teachings, he would be destroyed. Subject also stated that if his people were faced with the situation that the white people of Georgia now face, that traitors, meaning those who assisted integration leaders, would be eliminated.
Comments and Contacts With Communism and Russia
The Communist Party, USA (CP, USA), has been designated by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to Executive Order 10450.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on [BUREAU DELETION] 1960, that during December, 1960, Minister MALCOLM X LITTLE of NOI Temple No. 7, New York City, made the following statements [to the effect that] the white man is the enemy of the black man. The Czarist government suppressed the people and the same kind of revolution as occurred in Russia will take place here in the United States. This revolution will start in Harlem and [the Nation of Islam will be] the leaders of this black man revolution.