Malcolm X (39 page)

SECTION 14

Section 14 offers a neatly packaged review of information from 1964, already set out in the FBI file. The only new report is submitted a few weeks after Malcolm apparently checked into a Hilton in New York under the alias M. Khalil, but all the other information contained had been previously documented, at least in outline form. The report elaborates on Malcolm's statements of June 1964 regarding Elijah Muhammad's extramarital affairs, stating that Wallace Muhammad, Elijah's son, had informed him of his father's improprieties. The day after Malcolm stated that “the NOI would even commit murder to keep this secret quiet,” he received a recorded telephone message telling him that he was “as good as dead.”

Malcolm did not limit his criticism to the Messenger. On June 4, he had appeared on a Philadelphia radio show and stated that John Ali, National Secretary of the NOI, only wanted to “get all the money out of it (the NOI) he possibly [could].” Threats on Malcolm's life continued throughout the month of June and early July until he left for Africa.

The Bureau documents Malcolm's foreign travel extensively, indicating that he traveled in Africa from April 13 through May 21. On this trip the FBI obtained his itinerary, a report of his pilgrimage to Mecca, and the text of some statements he made which incriminated the U.S. government. His last trip of July 9 to November 24 is also documented, during which he met with Mrs. Shirley Graham DuBois, widow of writer W.E.B. DuBois, whose “background is important to show the strange inter-weaving of characters now attempting to infiltrate and agitate the Negro communities of the U.S.”

Malcolm details his April and May travels extensively in his autobiography, but his description differs greatly from the FBI's views. For Malcolm, his travels are a learning experience; for the Justice Department, they are an opportunity for him to influence foreign nations to oppose the United States.

The section concludes with a recap of Yeagley's request for an investigation into possible Logan Act violations, and that if the MMI “is receiving funds from any Arab or African government, or is acting at the order, request or direction of the foreign government, it may be obligated to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.”

Reporting Office: NEW YORK

Office of Origin: NEW YORK

Date: 1/20/65

Investigative Period: 12/1/64–1/15/65

Report made by: [BUREAU DELETION]

Title of Case: CHANGED

MALCOLM K. LITTLE aka

M. Khalil

Character of case: IS-MMI

The title of this case is marked “Changed” to add the alias of M. KHALIL used by the subject when he registered at the Hilton Hotel, NYC, on 1/2/65.

A public rally sponsored by the MMI was held on June 7, 1964, at the Audubon Ballroom, New York City. Approximately 450 persons were present at this rally and the featured speaker was MALCOLM X, the founder and leader of the MMI.

MALCOLM, in his speech, told of his recently completed tour
of Africa. He claimed that Africans were very sympathetic to Negroes in America and that African countries have promised to take the American racial problem to the United Nations for a solution.

He accused the New York City Police Commissioner of being a racist who is attempting to justify a police state by blaming disorder in New York on the Negroes.

During a question and answer period, MALCOLM was asked a question about ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and the Nation of Islam (NOI), which question appeared to be “set up.” MALCOLM answered by alleging that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, the leader of the NOI, was the father of six illegitimate children which the NOI “covers up.” MALCOLM X claimed that the NOI would even commit murder to keep this secret quiet. He also claimed that this information concerning ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was told to him by MUHAMMAD's son, WALLACE, who, according to MALCOLM X, has been put out of the NOI by his father.

At an open rally sponsored by the MMI, held on June 21, 1964, at New York City, MALCOLM X was the main speaker. MALCOLM referred to his recent African tour and talked of the Islam religion as the only true faith for the Negroes. He described the civil rights bill passed by the United States Senate in June as a “farce” which will not solve the Negroes' problems.

MALCOLM mentioned that a new group is being formed to deal with the racial problems in the United States. He claimed that this new group will have an educational program to instruct Negroes in the contribution their race has made to history. He indicated that this new group will not sponsor “sit-ins” as current civil rights groups do but their policy will be one of “take-ins,” that is, according to MALCOLM X, they will take what is rightfully theirs.

A regular meeting of the MMI was held [BUREAU DELETION]. At this meeting, a letter written by MALCOLM X, who was touring Africa, addressed to an unknown African delegate to the Organization of African Unity Conference in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, was read. In the letter, MALCOLM X informed the delegates that if the latter needed recruits to join the rebel military forces in the Congo, to aid in driving the white mercenary forces of Congo President MOISE TSHOMBE out of the Congo, he, MALCOLM X, could obtain ten thousand recruits in the Harlem section of New York City.

There was no answer to the letter to the African delegate and no call for recruits was made at the above meeting. No statement was made that would indicate that any such call for recruitment would be made.

Confidential sources familiar with MMI activity in the New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania areas could furnish no information that would substantiate the allegation that MALCOLM X was sending “vengeance squads” to the South, particularly to Mississippi.

[BUREAU DELETION] advised on several dates during July, 1964, that the [BUREAU DELETION] has no information that would substantiate or indicate that the MMI was involved in sending “vengeance squads” to the South.

A special issue of the magazine
Revolution
, published in Paris, France, for July-August, 1964, contained an exclusive interview with MALCOLM X. During the interview, MALCOLM X stated that he has never employed violence but he felt that if violence is used against “us,” we shall defend ourselves. He added that “we” do not believe that one must offer the other cheek.

MALCOLM X appeared on the “Les Crane Television Show” at New York on December 28, 1964. When asked why he preached that Negroes should take up arms to protect themselves, MALCOLM answered that if the government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation cannot protect Negroes in specific areas of the United States, that Negroes should organize and have rifles to protect themselves. He said he did not want them to break any laws but that vigilante groups are being organized at the present time in New York in order to protect their neighborhoods without the police interfering with their organizing. MALCOLM
X said he cannot see any reason why the Negroes cannot also organize themselves for their own protection. He stated that it is up to the Negro to protect himself if the government fails to give him protection.

Television and/or Radio
Appearances of MALCOLM X

On April 23, 1964, a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation observed a debate on “The Negro Revolt” between Negro author LOUIS LOMAX and MALCOLM X, which was held on May 23, 1964, at Chicago, Illinois. During his remarks MALCOLM X stated that since his return from Africa, he has changed his mind to a certain extent regarding the white man. He stated that he found a number of white persons who had been converted to the “Moslem” faith who were good people.

On April 23, 1964, MALCOLM X appeared with other guests on “Kup's Show,” a panel television program moderated by IRV KUPCINET, over television Channel 7, Chicago, Illinois. During the program, MALCOLM X stated, while speaking of the racial problems in America, that he did not believe in racism and that there are many white people in America who are also fed up with the racist attitude reflected in American policy. He developed this belief through his pilgrimage to Mecca, and there are many whites who are willing to become involved in a genuine struggle on behalf of the Negro.

On June 9, 1964, SA [BUREAU DELETION] observed the “Mike Wallace News Program” at 11:00
P.M
. over NBC-TV (National Broadcasting Company-Television), New York City. During this program, MALCOLM X was interviewed for approximately five minutes during which he stated that many white persons are fed up with the treatment of Negroes in America and he is convinced that there are good white people. When MIKE WALLACE pointed out to MALCOLM that this was contrary to his former teaching, MALCOLM X said that he now speaks for himself and that his previous anti-white statements were made while he was speaking for the NOI.

On June 8, 1964, MALCOLM X was a guest on the “Barry Gray Show” over radio station WMCA, New York City. During
the interview, he stated that he made no distinction between Alabama Governor GEORGE WALLACE and President JOHNSON over racial matters except in their methods. He characterized the United States government as a racist government since the majority of all Congressional committees are headed and dominated by southern Congressmen. He further stated that while in Ghana on a recent trip, he had met with many persons, including the ambassadors of Cuba and Communist China, and he told all of these people that racial discrimination in America is sponsored by the government.

On June 25, 1964, MALCOLM X appeared on the BOB KENNEDY show “Contact” over radio station WBZ, Boston, Massachusetts. During the program, he stated that he saw the civil rights struggle as a struggle for human rights. Also, when asked how militant his new group would be, he stated that the black people in this country are justified in obtaining freedom by any means necessary. He then clarified this statement by stating that he would be justified in taking any action which was intelligent, just and legal.

Philosophy Change

The April 18, 1964 edition of the
New York Amsterdam News
, a Negro weekly newspaper published in New York City, contained an article on page 1 which indicated that prior to leaving for his African tour, MALCOLM X stated that the purpose of this trip was “to get spiritual strength” from a visit to the Moslem holy city of Mecca.

The May 8, 1964 edition of the
New York Times
daily newspaper published in New York City contained an article on page 1, captioned “Malcolm X Pleased by White Attitude on Trip to Mecca.” This article stated that in a letter dated April 15, 1964, from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, MALCOLM X advised that he had gained new positive insight on race relations through his religious experience in Mecca. He advised that for the first time in his life, he felt no racial antagonism towards whites. He remarked about the hospitality he had received and stated that his experience has forced him to “rearrange” much of his own thought pattern. He indicated that the religion of Islam made everyone equal regard
less of race and that if white America would accept the religion of Islam, then they would cease to measure others in terms of “difference in color.”

On his appearance on the “Les Crane Television Show” on December 28, 1964, at New York City, MALCOLM X stated that his trip to Mecca in April, 1964, caused him to change his attitude towards the white people. He stated that he became a member of the true Islam faith in which it teaches brotherhood for all man and that he has met many true Moslems of the white race.

Efforts to Discredit NOI
Leader ELIJAH MUHAMMED

On June 8, 1964, MALCOLM X, in attempting to make arrangements with [BUREAU DELETION] Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) Television, New York City, to provide the full story of the illegitimate children of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD on a film interview, told [BUREAU DELETION] that there are six women involved. MALCOLM said all are former members of MUHAMMAD's secretarial staff who have had illegitimate children by him since 1956 or 1957. According to MALCOLM two of these women have had two children and one of the two women at that time was pregnant with a third child of MUHAMMAD's. MALCOLM claimed that the real reason for his split with the NOI was that when he heard of these indiscretions, he told NOI officials who had in turn told ELIJAH MUHAMMAD in a manner that made it look like he was “stirring up things” instead of trying to resolve them. MALCOLM X told [BUREAU DELETION] that his life is at stake because he poses a threat to the NOI since public revelation of this information would cause NOI members to desert ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. On the same date, [BUREAU DELETION] received a telephone message for MALCOLM X from an anonymous caller who said “Just tell him he is as good as dead.”

On [BUREAU DELETION] 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that at an MMI public rally held in the Audubon Ball-room,
New York City, on June
7,
1964, MALCOLM X, in answer to a question from the audience, stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was the father of six illegitimate children. He claimed the NOI covers this up and would even murder to keep it quiet. MALCOLM indicated that he had learned this from ELIJAH's son, WALLACE MUHAMMAD.