Malcolm X (23 page)

[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.

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 in 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.

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.

Synopsis:

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 followers 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.