Malcolm X

by Manning Marable

  337 “whom the Muslims preach is the devil.” “‘My Next Move’—Malcolm X,ʺ Amsterdam News.

  337 to resolve the dispute in a Muslim court. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 56; and FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, October 16, 1964.

  338 the northern boundary of Harlem. Robert E. Terrill, Malcolm X: Inventing Radical Judgment , p. 138.

  338 same of prominent minister Lonnie X Cross. FBI—MMI, Memo, Philadelphia Office, June 3, 1964; FBI—MMI, Memo, Philadelphia Office, June 9, 1964; MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 59; FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, October 16, 1964; and “Schedule,” June 4-7, 1964, MXC-S, box 13, folder 7.

  338 “enough of this black violence in New York.” MX FBI, Telegram, J. Edgar Hoover to New York Office, June 5, 1964; and “Schedule,” June 4-7, 1964, MXC-S, box 13, folder 7.

  339 “and then not believing in the words of Allah.” MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 55.

  339 “because the ‘devil’ [white man] is watching.” Ibid.

  339 “you can and report it to me right away.” FBI—Sharrieff, Summary Report, Chicago Office, August 27, 1964.

  339 “in the mouth of the infamy to the elbow.” Ibid.

  340 “against colonialism, neocolonialism, and imperialism.” Marjorie Lee, Akemi Kochiyama-Sardinha, and Audee Kochiyama-Holman, eds., Passing It On—A Memoir by Yuri Kochiyama (Los Angeles: UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press, 2004), pp. 67-70; and “Schedule,” June 4-7, 1964, MXC-S, box 13, folder 7.

  340 forth their accusations in the national media. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 20-21.

  340 corroborate the stories of Muhammad’s illicit lovers. Taylor Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 328.

  340 Messenger’s very own son, Wallace Muhammad. FBI—Morris, Summary Report, New York Office, March 1, 1965; and MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 3-4, 22.

  341 death threats against Malcolm. Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 329.

  341 Wallace of Alabama and President Lyndon Johnson. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, June 9, 1964; MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 16, 21; and DeCaro, On the Side of My People, p. 331.

  341 a blueprint for the OAAU. FBI—Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) file, Memo, New York Office, June 19, 1964.

  342 “what great organizers each of them is.” James 67X Warden interview, June 18, 2003.

  342 “and I told the brothers to do it.” James 67X Warden interview, July 24, 2007.

  342 his former membership in the Nation of Islam. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 15.

  342 armed guard for fear of attack. Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 346.

  342 had known about them first. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 22-23, 59; and Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 346.

  343 might be expected to endorse the initiative. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, June 16, 1964.

  343 “CIA and military intelligence agencies.” MX FBI, Teletype, New York Office, June 13, 1964.

  343 on one thousand dollars bail each. FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, October 10, 1964; FBI—MMI, Memo, Boston Office, June 15, 1964; and FBI—MMI, Teletype, Boston Office, June 15, 1964. The men accompanying Benjamin were former NOI members Aubrey Barnette, Robert Lee Wise, John Thomas, Frank Terrelongo, Goulbourne Busby, Jr., Larryn Douglas, and Malcolm’s nephew Rodnell Collins, then nineteen years old.

  344 “conspired” to expel him from the Nation. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 60.

  344 no ammunition, so no arrest was made. “Malcolm X Death Threat Brings Heavy Court Guard,” New York Telegraph and Sun, June 1, 1964; “Muslims Deny Fight Going On within Ranks,” Chicago Defender, June 18, 1964; and MX FBI, Teletype, New York Office, June 16, 1964.

  345 “a hearing in front of the Muslim[s].” Transcript of Queens County Civil Court Trial, June 15-16, 1964.

  345 “never removed a minister without cause.” Ibid.

  346 belonged to the Nation of Islam. Ibid.

  346 “doing and had been doing.” Ibid.

  346 in the acquisition of the property. Ibid.

  347 “than keep it quiet among Muslims.ʺ Ibid.

  347 of open season on any Malcolm loyalist. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 70.

  347 were arrested and their firearms seized. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, June 19, 1964. The men arrested were William George, Herbert Dudley, Jesse Ryans, Vincent Woldan, James Vestal, and George Whitney. Also see FBI—MMI, Teletype, New York Office, June 17, 1964.

  347 “killed for teaching against Elijah Muhammad.” MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 75.

  348 great speed, straining to accomplish his goals. Branch, Pillar of Fire, p. 332.

  348 and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Marilyn E.X. to Henry Kissinger, June 18, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 4.

  348 could be truly competitive with the Nation of Islam. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 4-5.

  348 “will take what is rightfully theirs.” Ibid., p. 4.

  348 Works and Surveys, asking for information. Malcolm X to Joseph Iffeorah, June 22, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 4.

  348 “you would come out Sunday as a spectator.” Malcolm X to Sara Mitchell, June 22, 1964, ibid.

  349 remanded to the Queens Criminal Court. “Muslim Factions Keep Fighting,” Amsterdam News, June 27, 1964; and Larry 4X Prescott interview, June 9, 2006.

  349 “Then things just got progressively worse.” Larry 4X Prescott interview, June 9, 2006. To this day, Larry 4X is unapologetic about his actions: “I got the gun from him and I beat him with it. And I should have—you know, I didn’t have the mind to shoot him. But I definitely whipped his behind real good with it.”

  350 a sore point for many of Malcolm’s followers. Malcolm X to Elijah Muhammad, June 23, 1964, MXC-S, box 13, folder 1; and “Malcolm X to Elijah: Let’s End the Fighting,” New York Post, June 26, 1964.

  350 “There was tension and resentment.” Herman Ferguson interview, June 24, 2004.

  351 “that our people experience in this government.” “Organization of Afro-American Unity, A Statement of Basic Aims and Objectives,” in Clarke, ed., Malcolm X: The Man and His Times, pp. 335-42; and MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 25, 29, 76.

  351 “block by block to make the community aware of its power and potential.” “Organization of Afro-American Unity, A Statement of Basic Aims and Objectives”; Terrill, Malcolm X: Inventing Radical Judgment, pp. 138-39; William W. Sales, From Civil Rights to Black Liberation: Malcolm X and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (Boston: South End, 1994), pp. 104-7; David Herman, “Malcolm X Launches a New Organization,” Militant , July 13, 1964; and “Program of Organization of Afro-American Unity,” Militant, July 13, 1964.

  351 no material incentive to finish the book project. Wolcott Gibbs, Jr., to Robert Banker, July 1, 1964, KMC, box 44, folder 1; and Doubleday and Company, Inc., to Alex Haley and Malcolm X, sometimes called Malik Shabazz, July 8, 1964, KMC, box 44, folder 1. In mid-July 1964, Haley was telling literary agent Paul Reynolds that the Autobiography was nearly finished; his afterword could be written in less than one week. “[It] should be wrapped up . . . by the end of the month.” See Haley to Reynolds, July 14, 1964, KMC, box 44, folder 1.

  351 “from my own personal appraisals.” Alex Haley to Malcolm X, June 8, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 6.

  352 “and her four children what a man you were.” Alex Haley to Malcolm X, June 21, 1964, ibid.

  352 “while providing him with more funds.ʺ Alex Haley to Paul Reynolds, June 21, 1964, ibid.

  353 “possibility of self-regeneration?” “No,” Malcolm replied. Robert Penn Warren, Who Speaks for the Negro? (New York: Random House, 1965), pp. 251-66.

&nbs
p; 353 “‘I wouldn’t know anything about that.’” Ibid., p. 260.

  354 agreed to be their international chairman. Max Stanford (also known as Muhammad Ahmed) interview, January 31, 2003.

  354 “the public front, united front.” Ibid.

  355 “brothers who graduated from college.” Ibid.

  355 “like the biggest fool on planet earth.” Ibid.

  355 “couldn’t attack him if he had a national base.” Max Stanford interview, August 28, 2007. In his 2007 interview, Stanford attributed Malcolm’s outing of Elijah Muhammad’s sexual misconduct to his own humiliation. After the Queens trial, Malcolm justified his attack on Muhammad to Stanford by explaining he was a fool, and that he had gone around the world saying Elijah Muhammad “is a holy man” when Elijah Muhammad had been messing around with a lot of women. “Well, he was devastated, totally. . . . You know, Malcolm was a street hustler, so he was a player, right? I mean, the player got played.”

  356 “And I was a hero.” Gerry Fulcher interview, October 3, 2007.

  356 attend OAAU events, doing general surveillance. Ibid.

  357 could transcribe and analyze Malcolm’s speeches. Ibid.

  357 join the OAAU, far fewer than anticipated. “Malcolm X Repeats Call for Negro Unity on Rights,” New York Times, June 29, 1964.

  357 Harlemites did not have the initial two-dollar membership fee. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 29.

  357 organize self-defense units capable of fighting the Klan. FBI—OAAU, Teletype, New York Office, June 30, 1964.

  357 “the Negro has a chance to strike back.” “Malcolm Sending Armed Troops to Mississippi,” Chicago Defender, July 2, 1964.

  358 on the streets, forced him to return immediately to New York. MX FBI, Memo, Chicago Office, June 26, 1964; and MX FBI, Memo, Chicago Office, July 23, 1964.

  358 filed paternity suits against Elijah Muhammad. “Two Paternity Suits,” New York Times, July 4, 1964; “Deny Paternity Suits,” Chicago Defender, July 6, 1964; and “Ex-Sweetheart of Malcolm X Accuses Elijah,” Amsterdam News, July 11, 1964. On July 7, Rosemary gave birth in Los Angeles to another child fathered by Muhammad.

  358 but only for twenty-four hours. “Malcolm X Flees for His Life,” Pittsburgh Courier, July 11, 1964; “New York Police Put Guard,” Washington Post, July 5, 1964; and John Shabazz, “Muslim Minister Writes to Malcolm,” Muhammad Speaks, July 3, 1964.

  358 assignment of introducing Malcolm to the audience. FBI—Goodman, Summary Report, New York Office, October 16, 1964.

  358 “sound like I’m cracking, but I’m facting.” Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, p. 204.

  358 other cities “behind Brother Wallace” Muhammad. Malcolm X to Hassan Sharrieff, July 9, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 4.

  359 TWA Flight 700 for London. MX FBI, Teletype, New York Office, July 10, 1964; and MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, July 10, 1964.

  359 summer of 1964 America “will see a bloodbath.” “Malcolm X Seeks U.N. Aid,” Chicago Defender, July 13, 1964; and “Malcolm X to Meet Leaders in Africa,” New York Times, July 10, 1964.

  359 windows and stealing everything they could carry. Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 204-5. Goldman correctly viewed Malcolm “as a force against rioting in Harlem,” not because America’s white power structure did not deserve to be rioted against, but “because he loved Harlem too well” (p. 204).

  359 July 11, he was off to Cairo. See Travel Diaries (Transcription): Africa and Middle East, July-November 1964, July 9-11, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  359 said to Charles was ‘Take care of Betty for me.’” Max Stanford interview, August 28, 2007.

  Chapter 13: “In the Struggle for Dignity”

  361 Europe during his second tour. “Malcolm X Reports He Now Represents World Muslim Unit,” New York Times, October 11, 1964.

  361 they talked together until three in the morning. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, p. 105; “Malcolm X in Cairo,” New York Times, July 14, 1964; and Travel Diaries (Transcription): Africa and Middle East, July-November 1964, July 12, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  361 Nasser’s Bureau of General Affairs. Travel Diaries, July 13-17, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  361 whom he had previously met in Ghana. Ibid.

  361 only to fall victim to “American dollarism.ʺ Address to the OAU, July 17, 1964, MXC-S, box 14, folder 5; and Travel Diaries, July 17-21, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  362 criticizing the lack of racial progress. “Malcolm X Bids Africans Take Negro Issue to U.N.,ʺ New York Times, July 17, 1964; and DeCaro, On the Side of My People, pp. 236-38.

  362 generally described as having failed. “Malcolm X Fails with Africans,” Chicago Defender, July 27, 1964.

  362 a violator of human rights. M. S. Handler, “Malcolm X Seeks U.N. Negro Debate,” New York Times, August 13, 1964.

  362 “the gains outweigh the risks.” Malcolm to Betty Shabazz, August 4, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 2.

  363 including one, The Suez and the Revolution, accompanied by local contacts. Travel Diaries, August 4, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  363 anathema to the NOI. Ibid.

  363 failure to address the charges of immorality. “Muhammad’s Son to Quit, Says Report,” Chicago Defender, August 17, 1964.

  364 “be printed only on asbestos.” Victor Riesel, “African Intrigues of Malcolm X,ʺ Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1964.

  364 was certainly a “wonderful blessing.” Malcolm to Betty Shabazz, August 4, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 2.

  364 not scale back his schedule. Travel Diaries, August 6-7, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  365 “Allah has really blessed me.” Travel Diaries, August 11-16, 1964, ibid.

  365 summarizing the recent OAU summit. Ibid.; MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, September 8, 1964; and “The 2nd African Summit Conference,” MXC-S, box 5, folder 18.

  365 “twentieth-century form of ‘benevolent colonialism.’” Malcolm X, “The Second African Summit Conference, August 21, 1964,” in Clarke, ed., Malcolm X: The Man and His Times, pp. 294-98.

  365 “found no doors closed to me.” Ibid., pp. 299-300.

  366 “and physical slave of the system.” “Racism: The Cancer That Is Destroying America,” MXC-S, box 5, folder 10. Fanon advanced this argument in Black Skin, White Masks (New York: Grove, 1967).

  366 ancient temples in the Valley of the Kings. Travel Diaries, August 26-29, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  366 important stamps of legitimacy. Travel Diaries, August 30, 1964, ibid.

  366 Queens home by January 31, 1965. MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 57-58, 140; and “Order Eviction of Malcolm X,ʺ Amsterdam News, September 5, 1964.

  366 into unauthorized agreements with foreign governments. FBI—Goodman, Memo, Nicholas Katzenbach to the Director, September 1964.

  367 would be the guest of the local governor. Travel Diaries, September 12, 1964, ibid; MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, September 10, 1964; and Advertisement, Chicago Defender, September 12, 1964.

  367 press conference in Gaza’s parliament building. Travel Diaries, September 5, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  367 the two men met privately. Travel Diaries, September 15, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14. Al-Shukari was named PLO president at a Jerusalem conference from May 31 to June 4, 1964.

  368 “in their own religion” existed. Malcolm X, “Zionist Logic,” Egyptian Gazette, September 17, 1964.

  368 “for Arab refugees from Palestine.” Marable, African and Caribbean Politics, p. 134.

  368 considerable tact and political discretion. Edward E. Curtis, IV, Islam in Black America (New York: State University of New York Press, 2002), p. 100.

  368 “twenty-two million fellow black Americans.” Ibid., pp. 104-5; and Antoine Sfier, ed., The Columbia World Dictionary of Islamism (New York: Columbia University Press, 2007), pp. 290-91.

  369 with Shawarbi and other friends. Travel
Diaries, September 16, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  369 provided a chauffeured car. Travel Diaries, September 18-19 and 21, 1964, ibid.

  369 in Harlem, to promote orthodox Islam. Travel Diaries, September 22, 1964, ibid.; and MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, October 5, 1964.

  369 “in the Holy City of Mecca.” Malcolm X to M. S. Handler, September 22, 1964, Alex Haley Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, box 3, folder 1; and M. S. Handler, “Malcolm Rejects Racist Doctrines,” New York Times, October 4, 1964.

  370 “and the Human Society complete.” Malcolm X to M. S. Handler, September 22, 1964, Alex Haley Papers, box 3, folder 1.

  370 Malcolm thirty-five fully funded fellowships. Malcolm X to M. S. Handler, September 23, 1964, ibid.; and “Malcolm X Reports He Now Represents World Muslim Unit,” New York Times, October 11, 1964.

  370 to Beirut on September 29. Travel Diaries, September 24-25, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14. According to the FBI, Malcolm called upon the U.S. embassy in Kuwait on September 29, 1964, and obtained a new health certificate. See MX FBI, Memo, Washington Office, October 1, 1964.

  370 a word during the exchange. Marian Faye Novak, “Meeting Mr. X,ʺ American Heritage, vol. 46, no. 1 (February/March 1995), pp. 36-39.

  370 and an overflow crowd turned out. Alex Haley to Malcolm X, October 14, 1964, MXC-S, box 3, folder 6; Travel Diaries, September 29, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  371 “people of the U.S. and Africa.” MX FBI, Summary Report, New York Office, January 20, 1965, pp. 16-18.

  371 seemed “attentive, alert, and sympathetic.” Travel Diaries, October 8, 1964, MXC-S, box 5, folder 14.

  371 and subsequent merger with then Tanganyika. On A. M. Babu, see Carole Boyce Davies, ed., Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture (Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 2008), p. 139; and Clarke, ed., Malcolm X: The Man and His Times, p. 261.