:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
SAC, CHICAGO (100-33593) (P)
SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM
K. LITTLE, aka
IS-MMI
(OO: New York)
Re Chicago teletype to Director dated 1/29/65.
Referenced teletype stated that MALCOLM X was to appear on “Kup’s Show,” a TV panel-type discussion, on 1/30/65 in Chicago.
“Kup’s Show” is a local TV show televised over WBKB-TV, Chicago, from approximately 12:15 A.M. to 3:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings. This show was televised on 1/31/65 but was taped on 1/30/65 P.M. at studios of WBKB-TV, Chicago. IRVING KUPCINET, Chicago newspaper columnist and TV moderator, conducts the show.
The following is the transcript:
KUPCINET: MALCOLM, you know you’ve changed a lot since your first appearance on this show some years ago. At that time you were sort of a stormy individual and you hated all whites you said.
MALCOLM: I’ve gotten older.
KUPCINET: Now you have a different attitude completely and you told me that your religious experience in Cairo has changed your attitude and your outlook.
MALCOLM: Well, as a Muslim, since I left ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’s Black Muslim movement, I should say since they put me out ’cause that is what they did, I have had a chance to do some traveling and travel does broaden your scope, and as a Muslim whose religion is Islam, as it is practiced and taught in the Muslim world, I realize that it is impossible to call oneself a Muslim, to call one’s religion Islam and at the same time judge a man by the color of his skin. . . .
KUPCINET: This poses two very interesting things. In other words, you no longer believe as ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has been quoted as saying that all white men are devils. You have changed everything.
MALCOLM: If ELIJAH MUHAMMAD says that all white men are devils, then you have the King of Arabia, King Faisal, who is white. He is the keeper of the Holy City of Mecca and many other Arabs, in Egypt, in Algeria, and in other places. They are from all appearances white.
KUPCINET: Now this poses a second problem I would like to get your opinion on. Of course, you may be biased because you no longer are a member of the so-called Black Muslims, but is the Black Muslim a religion or not, because this is coming up in a case in Chicago where a prisoner in Stateville converted from Roman Catholicism to Black Muslim and demanded to be allowed to practice his religion in jail. The warden denied this because he said the Black Muslims were not a bona fide religion. How do you feel?
MALCOLM: I want to answer that with this explanation first. Number one: no one can use me against ELIJAH MUHAMMAD or against the Black Muslim movement. On the other hand, anything that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD says or does, or the Black Muslim movement says or does, which I feel is against the best interest of the Black community, then I will attack it myself, but I won’t attack it because someone sics me on it, . . . Islam teaches that belief in all of the prophets, especially MUHAMMAD ibn ABD ALLAH, who was born and died in Arabia fourteen hundred years ago and the Muslim believes that MUHAMMAD of Arabia was the last prophet, the last messenger, whereas ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches that MUHAMMAD of Arabia was not a prophet, but an enthusiast, and that he, himself, ELIJAH, is the prophet, so that . . . what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is teaching is diametrically opposed to the principles of Islam and the Mushm world itself, the religious officials at Mecca and other religious officials and those at the top authority on Islam theology, totally reject what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches as being any phase, even of Islam. On the other hand, what he is teaching can be easily defined as a religion, but it cannot be labeled Islam . . . and I think that if the penal authorities were farsighted enough to permit the religion of Islam, real Islam, true Islam, to be taught in prison by qualified Islamic religious leaders as they let Judaism, Catholicism and the Protestant religions be taught there, then many of the people that are in prison would not be misled like I, myself, was because there is a vacuum in this country where Islam is concerned . . . and in that vacuum, it is easy for any phony or faker to come along with a concocted, distorted product of his own making, and say that this is Islam.
KUPCINET: Are you by inference saying that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is a faker and a phony?
MALCOLM: If ELIJAH MUHAMMAD really believed in the same God that I believed in—I believe in ELIJAH MUHAMMAD stronger than he believed in himself. I believed in his God more than he did and I was not aware of this until I found he was confronted with a crisis in his own personal moral life and he did not stand up as a man. Anybody could make a moral mistake, but when they have to lie about it and will be willing to see that murder is committed to cover up their mistake not only are they not divine, they are not even a man. . . .
KUPCINET: Are you trying to tell us that there has been an attack on your life because of your withdrawal from the Muslim religion?
MALCOLM: I have had several.
KUPCINET: You have?
MALCOLM: And just thanks to ALLAH, so far I have been successful. I believe that when you are a black man born in this particular society, you are faced with certain dangers already. You get used to it and plus the stand that I took when I was in the Black Muslim movement was uncompromising. I defended an indefensible position. Anyone that defends an indefensible position as I did—they must have believed in it.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
February 8, 1965
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
On February 5, 1965 [BUREAU DELETION] advised that they recently received the following information concerning the source of finances of MMI and OAAU leader Malcolm K. Little, better known as Malcolm X. This information [BUREAU DELETION] Malcolm X has recently received the sum of $20,000 which represents an advance on his forthcoming book, to be published by Doubleday and Company, Incorporated; and, as payment for the autobiography on him which appeared in the September 12, 1964, edition of the magazine, “The Saturday Evening Post.”
[BUREAU DELETION] also advised that Malcolm X has also undoubtedly received some compensation for appearances and speeches he has recently made on radio and television and at several colleges.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; it is the property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
February 9, 1965
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
On February 5, 1965, Malcolm K. Little was observed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation boarding Trans World Airlines, (TWA), Flight 700, at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport for London, England. TWA Flight 700 departed JFK International Airport at 8:11 P.M., and was scheduled to arrive at London, England at 11:15 P.M., London time.
[BUREAU DELETION] TWA, JFK International Airport, advised, on February 5, 1965, that Malcolm Little purchased an economy class ticket under the name M. Shabazz for London, Paris, Geneva, and return to New York. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that Little departed for London, England on TWA Flight 700, on February 5, 1965, with “open dates” to continue his trip to Paris, Geneva, and return trip to New York.
[BUREAU DELETION] that Little paid $478.80 cash for his plane tickets.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; it is the property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FBI
TO
:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM
:
LEGAT, PARIS (100-2171) (P)
&nbs
p; SUBJECT
:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, also
known as Malcom X, M.
Shabazz
IS-MMI
[BUREAU DELETION]
Clipping from the New York Herald Tribune . . . enclosed herewith for the Bureau.
If we receive any additional information from [BUREAU DELETION] relative to subject we will promptly furnish it to the Bureau and interested offices.
New York Herald Tribune, European Edition
February 10, 1965, page 3
France Bars Malcolm X To Avoid “Trouble” at Meeting
By Jack Monet
Paris, Feb. 9.—French authorities today barred Malcolm X from entering the country to deliver a talk.
The American black nationalist leader arrived from London at Orly International Airport this morning, learned from French security officials that his presence was “undesirable” and was put on a flight back to London two hours later.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said it was decided that a meeting Malcolm X was to address tonight could “provoke demonstrations that would trouble public order.”
Malcolm X, the most outspoken exponent of violent activities to further Negro-as-such strength in the United States, was to speak at the Salle de la Mutualité on “The Afro-American Struggle for Freedom.”
The meeting tonight was sponsored by the Federation of African Students in France, the principal African student organization here, and the Committee of Members of the Afro-American Community in Paris.
Despite the proscription of Malcolm X, the Prefecture of Police maintained its authorization for the meeting, so the sponsors decided to go ahead later tonight with a quickly organized “protest” session.
About 300 persons, a third of them white, attended the meeting. The speakers denounced the ban on Malcolm X, white mercenary intervention in the Congo and American raids on North Vietnam, all interpreted as attacks on non-white peoples.
In London, Malcolm X expressed shock at his treatment in France. “The authorities would not even let me contact the American embassy,” he said.”
“I thought I was in South Africa. They let (Congolese Premier) Tshombe in. He’s the worst person on earth.”
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
February 16, 1965
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
[BUREAU DELETION] New York City Police Department (NYCPD), advised the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on February 14, 1965, that early that morning Malcolm X’s home was destroyed by a fire.
On February 14, 1965, a conference was held at the 114th Precinct, NYCPD, at 23-16 30th Avenue, Queens, New York, with Special Agents (SAs) of the FBI, [BUREAU DELETION] Detective District, New York City, [BUREAU DELETION] New York City, concerning the burning of the residence of Malcolm X, 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, leader of the MMI and the OAAU.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the first alarm was received by telephone at 2:46 A.M. February 14, 1965, from [BUREAU DELETION] East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. [BUREAU DELETION] later interviewed by the fire department, stated she was awakened by the noise of glass breaking. She looked out the window and saw a round hole in Malcolm X’s living room window, and the room was in flames. [BUREAU DELETION] stated she saw no one near Malcolm X’s residence at that time.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that the second alarm was sounded by [BUREAU DELETION] Queens, New York, a cab driver who, with an unidentified passenger, noticed a bush burning in front of Malcolm X’s residence. [BUREAU DELETION] said he put the bush fire out and while doing so, he heard glass breaking twice. He stated he then looked along the side of the house, and saw a fire in the rear of the home. He then stated he knocked at the front door of Malcolm X’s home and at the same time, heard voices inside. He then knew that they were awake so he ran to set off the fire alarm.
[BUREAU DELETION] said that from the time he first saw the bush fire in front of the home to the time the fire department arrived, he neither saw nor heard any person or vehicle leaving the area.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated the fire engines arrived at Malcolm X’s home at 2:50 A.M. on 2/14/65. He stated the fire was confined to the living room area, with smoke and water damaging areas of the home. He stated Malcolm X, his wife and four children, ages six months to six years, escaped through the back door and were in the back yard when the fire apparatus arrived.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that an investigation conducted by the New York City Police and Fire Departments disclosed the following:
Investigation of Fire
1. The bushes and front of the home on the right side of the front steps were scorched.
2. The fire was confined to the living room only.
3. The rear bedroom window was broken, the ground and fence in the vicinity of the broken rear window were scorched.
The Venetian blind on the broken rear window was closed and down, and was scorched at the bottom, although there was no evidence of fire in the rear bedroom.
Evidence Obtained At Scene of Fire
1. The bottom ⅛ part of a whiskey bottle containing gasoline was found in the enclosed front porch. The glass of the bottle was scorched, although there was no evidence of a fire in the front porch area.
2. A quart whiskey bottle filled with gasoline was located standing upright on the dresser in the rear bedroom where Malcolm X’s other daughters slept. This bottle had a screw cap which was intact and did not have rags attached to it.
It is noted that all firemen who entered Malcolm X’s home during the fire were interviewed and all stated they did not place the bottle on the dresser.
3. A broken neck of a whiskey bottle with a scorched cloth wick attached to the neck of the bottle was located in the rear of the said home at approximately 15 feet from the house and near the bedroom with the broken window and scorched ground and fence.
4. A broken neck of a whiskey bottle and shoulder of a whiskey bottle which matched the neck section was found in the center of Malcolm X’s bedroom. A piece of cloth soaked with gasoline but unscorched, was on the bedroom floor a few feet from the broken whiskey bottle. No evidence of a fire could be located in this bedroom.
The youngest daughter, age six months, slept in a third bedroom opposite Malcolm X’s room.
No evidence of bottles could be located in the living room where the fire was confined, but according to [BUREAU DELETION] there was evidence that gasoline was used in the living room fire.
[BUREAU DELETION]
The investigation by [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] determined that Malcolm X stated he awoke himself and discovered the fire and that his wife, Betty, stated that she awoke him and then grabbed their children and left their home through the rear door.
Malcolm X, after the fire, and during the interview, showed no emotion or anger and actually laughed when he was asked who he thought may have burned his home.
Malcolm X left his family with friends, returned to his home after the fire was put out, secured some clothing and recording tapes and left about 9:00 A.M. for a meeting in Detroit.
[BUREAU DELETION] NYCPD, advised on February 14, 1965, that Malcolm X and his family are staying at the home of Thomas Wallace, 34-50 110th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, who is a known member of the MMI.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on February 14, 1965, that Malcolm X departed from New York City by plane at 9:30 A.M. February 14, 1965, for Detroit, Michigan.
2/17/65
AIRTEL
TO: DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM: SAC, DETROIT (157-838)(P)
AFRO-AMERICAN BROADCASTING
AND RECORDING COMPANY
DETROIT, MICH.
RACIAL MATTERS
[BUREAU DELETION]
On 2/14/65, at approximately 11:30 A.M., [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE from the city limits of Detroit to the Statler Hi
lton Hotel where he registered in room 638. [BUREAU DELETION]
Upon arriving at the Statler Hilton Hotel, [BUREAU DELETION] immediately began to question MALCOLM LITTLE regarding the bombing of his home in New York. LITTLE related that he did not see any of the perpetrators but he believed that the bombing was a result of a feud between himself and ELIJAH MOHAMMAD; however, it is the opinion of [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE did see at least one of the men responsible for the bombing because he later stated that he had attempted to fire a .25 caliber automatic to frighten off the men, but the gun misfired.
About this time, [BUREAU DELETION] became concerned about LITTLE’s health and he called for the services of a [BUREAU DELETION] who arrived [BUREAU DELETION] and administered a sedative to MALCOLM LITTLE. After the drug was administered MALCOLM became very drowsy and incoherent for the remainder of the day.
At approximately 4:00 P.M. on 2/14/65, MALCOLM LITTLE was awakened to be interviewed by a news crew from WXYZ-TV. During the remainder of the day and up to approximately one-half hour before his speech, he slept.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Detroit, Michigan
February 17, 1965
Re:Afro-American Broadcasting
and Recording Company
Detroit, Michigan
[BUREAU DELETION] that Malcolm Little was the featured speaker at the First Annual Dignity Projection and Scholarship Award ceremony sponsored by the Afro-American Broadcasting and Recording Company on February 14, 1965, at the Ford Auditorium, 20 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
Editor’s note. Excerpted in the file are Malcolm’s comments on the hyprocrisy of a society that preaches brotherhood on Sunday but fails to practice it any day, a society that in the name of brotherhood every day practices violence against people of color everywhere. Emphatically stating that he “would not call upon anybody to be violent without a cause,” Malcolm then makes it clear that black Americans have long had cause and that the time has come for them to protect themselves against their oppressors “no matter how many necks [they have] to break and heads [they have] to crack.”
Malcolm X Page 30
