Malcolm X (18 page)
Authors: Clayborne Carson
For the first time, the FBI includes speculations that Malcolm might want to succeed Elijah. Reporting on speeches in Chicago and Los Angeles, the FBI's informant suggests that older members were “somewhat resentful” of Malcolm's “extremely violent teachings and statements.” Another informant explains that Malcolm desires a separate nation for the NOI within the United States, possibly California, where the NOI might buy land.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO | : | DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321) |
FROM | : | SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999) |
SUBJECT | : | MALCOLM LITTLE |
ReBulet 5/20/58, which states that in view of LITTLE's increasing activities in the affairs of the NOI on a national level, the Bureau desires that the NYO consider him for designation as a key figure.
The NYO after due consideration believes that LITTLE should be designated a key figure in view of his extensive activity as Minister of Temple No. 7, 102 West 116th Street, New York City.
It is noted that Temple No. 7 has approximately three to four hundred members and that in his capacity as minister, LITTLE is the leader of Temple No. 7.
In addition, LITTLE travels to various temples throughout
the United States and at meetings of these temples has made numerous speeches which are violent in nature wherein he attacks the United States and the white race.
UACB, the NYO is designating LITTLE a key figure and is placing this case in a pending inactive status.
The NYO will continue to follow LITTLEâs activities and will submit a report within six months from the date of reBulet.
SAC, New York (105-8999) | July 15, 1958 |
Director, FBI (100-399321) | Â |
MALCOLM LITTLE | Â |
INTERNAL SECURITY - NOI |
Reurlet 7/2/58.
The Bureau agrees with your designation of Little as a key figure. You will be furnished up-to-date Security Index cards on him separately.
Inasmuch as Little has been designated a key figure, you should obtain and forward to the Bureau a current photograph of him as well as suitable handwriting specimens.
You should carefully review that part of Section 87D of the Manual of Instructions relating to key figures.
Reporting Office: New York
Office of Origin: New York
Date: 11/19/58
Investigative Period: 10/1â3,9â24,28â31;11/3â5/58
Report made by: [BUREAU DELETION]
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was
Character of case: Internal Security - NOI
MALCOLM LITTLE is Minister of Temple No. 7 of the Nation of Islam (NOI) in New York City, and is considered one of
the national leaders of the NOI. He travels extensively to various parts of the United States engaging in NOI work. [BUREAU DELETION] subject may aspire to replace ELIJAH MUHAMMAD as NOI leader. NOI activities, including meetings attended and pertinent portions of speeches made by subject, set forth. Subject resides at 25â46 99th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York.
At Chicago, Illinois
Subject was observed by Special Agents of the FBI on May 20, 1958, in the company of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD in Chicago, Illinois.
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject was present in Chicago at the funeral of MARIE MUHAMMAD, mother of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, which was held May 21, 1958.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that on [BUREAU DELETION] subject was present at the University of Islam in Chicago.
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject attended a meeting of the NOI on [BUREAU DELETION] at MUHAMMAD's Temple No. 2, 5335 South Greenwood Avenue.
At this meeting MALCOLM stated that the so-called Negro was looking and searching for a modern-day MOSES to lead them, and intimated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is this modern-day MOSES. Subject stated that under the flag of Islam the so-called Negroes would receive freedom, justice and equality. He stated that the Christian Bible had been written by the “Christian slavemaster” to keep the so-called Negroes in slavery. He stated that if the so-called Negro does not stop following the “white devil,” the so-called Negro will be destroyed.
At Los Angeles, California
[BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM X was speaker at a NOI meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at Normandie Hall. . . .
MALCOLM stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was a lenient man, and that if it were left to his followers like himself, MALCOLM, they would take the heads off of every white man.
[BUREAU DELETION] that there appeared to be a feeling
among a number of the older members of the NOI that MALCOLM X was going to do more harm than good, as they were somewhat resentful and would not accept his extremely violent teachings and statements, and that they felt that MALCOLM X is too inflammatory and too drastic.
MALCOLM pointed to the Muslim flag and then at the United States flag, and stated, “Which one of these do you think will survive the War of Armageddon? I don't say who will survive or when. To win means to defeat your opponent. To survive is to be still left after completely destroying or obliterating your opponent. There will be no survivors among the losers.” [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM pointed to the Muslim flag after staling, “Come over to this and live.” He then pointed to the American flag, and stated, “because this and Christianity will be destroyed.”
[BUREAU DELETION] that subject was speaker at a NOI meeting on [BUREAU DELETION] at Normandie Hall. Among his remarks, subject stated as follows; “Who is our enemy?” At this point MALCOLM pointed at the United States flag and said, “This represents our enemy. As you know this is all we ever got from it. . .” He then pointed to a picture of a Negro hanging from a tree.
[BUREAU DELETION] that based on the speeches of MALCOLM, it seems apparent that MALCOLM believes that the United States government should give the Negro people a state. [BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM apparently believes that this would happen in the foreseeable future in about ten to fifteen years. For example, MALCOLM has explained that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has told him he does not want his state to be where it is too cold nor too hot, nor where there is no water outlet to an ocean or gulf. MALCOLM pointed out that California fits this description, and that the farm to be purchased by the NOI may be bought in California. MALCOLM explained that once you have a foothold you can expand and absorb until the
entire state is yours, and that this is what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD would do.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Report of: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Office: NEW YORK
Date: 19 MAY 1959
File Number: New York 105-8999Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bureau file 100-399321
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE
Character: INTERNAL SECURITY-NOI
Synopsis:
MALCOLM LITTLE is Minister of Temple No. 7 of the NOI in New York City, and is considered one of the national leaders of the NOI. Information regarding his importance and position in the NOI set forth. LITTLE has traveled considerably throughout the United States on NOI business. Information regarding LITTLE's visits to various NOI temples set forth. LITTLE has made numerous speeches setting forth the teachings and doctrines of the NOI, pertinent portions of which are set out. LITTLE resides at 25â46 99th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York.
BY SUBJECT
In Buffalo, New York
On February 12, 1959, [BUREAU DELETION] stated that a meeting of the MTI in Buffalo, New York, was held February 11, 1959, at the above address. [BUREAU DELETION] stated MALCOLM X was the speaker and he spoke as follows:
The Messenger wants everyone to do something for himself and to stop waiting for the white man to do everything for the Negro. He urged those in attendance to develop businesses so that the Negro could become self-dependent. He urged the followers of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD not to break any of the white man's laws, pointing out that these laws must be obeyed. He stated that the Messenger did not want his followers to break any laws of the white race. The black man and the black woman should not mix with the white race because the white race is the enemy.
The above was verified in substance on February 19, 1959 by [BUREAU DELETION].
At Cleveland, Ohio
On February 18, 1959, [BUREAU DELETION] furnished information concerning a meeting of the MTI No. 18, held February 15, 1959, at 11005 Ashbury Avenue. [BUREAU DELETION] stated MALCOLM X from New York spoke as follows:
The so-called Negroes are so lazy that they are willing to suffer anything rather than go to work. When we find a brother who is lazy we put him out of the brotherhood. Laziness in Islam is a sin. Any man that does not work in Islam is no good.
At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On November 3, 1958, [BUREAU DELETION] furnished information concerning a meeting of the NOI in Philadelphia held October 29, 1958. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker and spoke as follows.
Editor's note.
“The so-called Negro is so hard-hearted, so in love with his enemy [that] he does not even know who is his enemy,” the file quotes Malcolm as saying before announcing the subject of his sermon, which is “why”âwhy it is that black Americans so love their enemy when “every other black
race on earth [is] trying to separate [itself] from the white race.” He then points out that most blacks define civil rights as the right to intermarry, particularly the right of black men to marry white womenâa line of reasoning that prompts Malcolm to ask why blacks in America are so much against their own kind. Malcolm continues, according to the file, by saying that the time for white people has expired and that America is doomed, that all white people and also all the so-called Negroes who love them are doomed. “Join into your own kind,” he tells his audience, “and reclaim that which belongs to youâthe whole universe.”