Malcolm X (32 page)
Authors: Clayborne Carson
Malcolm on the steps of the State Building in Albany, New York. He is flanked on his right by Charles Rangel and on his left by Percy Sutton, his friend and attorney.
E. M. Somers
Malcolm in Africa during his last visit there in 1964,
Lawrence Henry Collection
New York, New York
March 11, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - Nation of Islam
On March 9, 1964, from 10:00
P.M.
to 10:30
P.M
., Little appeared on the news commentary and interview program “The World at Ten,” television station WNDT, Channel 13, New York, New York. He was interviewed by WNDT commentator Joe Durso relative to his announcement on March 8, 1964, that he had split with the NOI.
During the interview Little specifically pointed out that he was not setting up a rival organization to the NOI. He stated that Islam was still his religion, he still believed in Allah, he still considered himself a follower of Elijah Muhammad, and he still considered the separation of races as taught by Muhammad as the solution to the race problem. He advised that he has decided that the best way to serve Muhammad was to stay out of the NOI and work on his own with non-Muslims. This way he will be free of NOI restrictions that previously kept him from reaching all Negroes, and he will urge them to follow Elijah Muhammad. He added that he can now do what “he” thinks is necessary to enlighten the people toward Muhammad and Islam. He stated he intended to teach a political, economic and social philosophy of black nationalism.
In regard to the current civil rights movement, Little predicted that the struggle would “explode” in 1964 and expressed the opinion that young Negroes are now willing to do anything for integration. He feels that if they are not protected in this activity, then they must take up arms. He specifically pointed out that he was not urging or teaching retaliation, only self-protection. As an example he cited the unsolved bombing of a Negro church in Birmingham that resulted in the death of four girls, and it was
his opinion that Negroes (not specified) should solve this and other such wrongs and execute those responsible.
Little stated that he was only interested in “freedom, justice and equality” for Negroes. He added that they have not gotten it by being polite, and he feels that they should now get angry.
In regard to his suspension by Muhammad in December, 1963, for his remark concerning the assassination of former President Kennedy, Little advised that the suspension was not for the remark itself. He explained that the suspension was for his disobedience to Muhammad for making the remark, since Muhammad had told him not to comment
on the
assassination. He further stated that the suspension was originally for a ninety-day period, but he recently learned from Muhammad that it would be for an indefinite period. Consequently, he decided to stay out of the NOI and speak out on his own.
New York, New York
March 13, 1964
Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
Internal Security - Miscellaneous
On March 12, 1964, Malcolm K. Little, known generally as Malcolm X, held a press conference at 11:00
A.M
. in the Tapestry Suite of the Park Sheraton Hotel, 7th Avenue and 55th Street, New York, New York. Approximately sixty persons attended the conference.
Malcolm X opened his press conference by reading a telegram he had sent to Elijah Muhammad on March 11, 1964. In this telegram he indicated that he had not left the NOI of his own free will, but had been pressured out by a conspiracy between Captain Joseph (Gravitt) in New York and national NOI officials at the Chicago Headquarters of the NOI.
Malcolm X continued his press conference by reading a prepared statement.
Editor's note.
Malcolm's prepared statement first of all clarifies his position as a Muslim and as a separatist. No longer a member of the Nation of Islam but a Muslim nonetheless, Malcolm affirms that he still believes Elijah Muhammad's solution to the plight of black people to be the bestâi.e. complete separation of the blacks from white America and a return to their African homeland. He also sees it, however, as a long-range plan, and meanwhile twenty-two million American blacks are wanting for adequate food, clothing, housing, education and jobs. These problems demand solutions here and now
.
Because he is no longer a member of the Nation of Islam (and not by his own free will, he points out), Malcolm feels he can take a more independent and flexible approach to the problems of black Americans. He does “not pretend to be a divine man,” he says, nor is he an educated man or “an expert in any particular field . . . but I am sincere,” he adds, “and my sincerity are my credentials.”
Malcolm would use all his personal resources, it would appear, not “to fight other Negro leaders or organizations,” but to “find a common approach, a common solution, to a common problem.” He continues by emphasizing that “the problem facing our people here in America is bigger than all other personal or organizational differences. Therefore, as leaders, we must stop worrying about the threat that we seem to think we pose to each other's personal prestige, and concentrate our united efforts toward solving the unending hurt that is being done daily to our people here in America.”
Malcolm then declares his intent to organize a new mosque in New York. It will be called the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated, and will provide a religious, cultural and moral base for members of the black community. Black Nationalism, he asserts, will be the Mosque's economic, social and political philosophy, which means in essence that blacks themselves “must control the politics and politicians of [their] community.” Malcolm also calls for the accent to be upon youth and “new ideas, new methods, new approaches.” Because established politicians have failed to solve the problems long facing
American blacks, Malcolm says he wants “to see some new faces . . . more militant faces.”
Although at this time Malcolm would not refuse financial aid from whites, he would not as yet allow them into the Mosque membership. “There can be no black-white unity until there is first some black unity,” he explains, and “there can be no workers solidarity until there is first some racial solidarity “
Malcolm also speaks briefly to the point of nonviolence. Black people are being forced to be violent; they must fight back, he says, because they are constantly being victimized. As firearms are legal and as he would have his people obey the law, Malcolm advocates forming “rifle clubs” so that blacks can defend themselves and their property when emergencies arise and the government fails to protect them
.
Malcolm concludes by challenging that government; if it finds his solution to the problems wrong, then let the government start doing its job, he advises
.
Malcolm X then responded to questions from the various news representatives present, furnishing the following information:
Re Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
The mosque would have temporary headquarters at the Hotel Theresa, 2090 Seventh Avenue (at 125th Street), New York, New York, and there are no present plans for any mosque outside of New York City.
He would not have gone out on his own if he had not received evidence of support. He stated that in the last several days he had received numerous calls from all over the country offering him support and asking him to speak. Malcolm X stated he would make absolutely no effort to draw away any of the followers of Elijah Muhammad, but some NOI members have come over to him. He refused to reveal the number of NOI members who have come over to him, nor would he reveal the total number of his followers or identify them by name. He also stated that his mosque would have the same moral standards as the NOI. He
stated that he would retain his name “Malcolm X” which he had obtained in the NOI.
Malcolm X also announced that his mosque would hold a “restricted” meeting at 8:30
P.M
., Sunday, March 15, 1964, at the George Washington Carver Club, Amsterdam Avenue and 145th Street, New York City.
Chicago, Illinois
March 27, 1964
NATION OF ISLAM
INTERNAL SECURITY -
NATION OF ISLAM
The Nation of Islam (NOI), has not been designated pursuant to Executive Order 10450 and is characterized in later pages.
In late March, 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] advised as follows:
Elijah Muhammad was told by officials of the NOI that Malcolm Little had, on March 23, 1964, sent six of his followers to see one of the leaders of Elijah Muhammad's mosque in New York City with instructions to tell him what to do and what not to do. Muhammad instructed that the police in New York City be notified that Little was interfering and that they should be told of the consequences which might come from acts of this type. Muhammad stated that if the law will not put a stop to this “our own should be told to do it.”
Muhammad was also told by NOI leaders that Malcolm Little was using his name, was pretending to be in good with him, and was only feuding with his, Muhammad's, family.
