SECTION 3

The report in this section was prepared by the FBI’s New York office and covers the period from February through April 1958. A confidential source advised the FBI that Malcolm had suffered a heart attack in October 1957, but according to his brother Wilfred, he had recovered.

The report describes Malcolm’s activities in Albany, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York. In Chicago, Malcolm allegedly denounced Dr. King at an NOI Temple No. 2 speech. In Detroit, Malcolm claimed that President Eisenhower and Governor Faubus were public enemies but private friends in a conspiracy to deter the enforcement of the Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education.

Also included is an interview with Malcolm in the July 18, 1957, issue of the Los Angeles Herald Dispatch, an article crediting Malcolm with the growth of NOI membership in Detroit, and a Pittsburgh Courier article reporting a million-dollar lawsuit instigated by the NOI for the April 14, 1957, beating of NOI member Johnson X by New York police. Malcolm’s autobiography includes an account of the beating:

The crowd was big, and angry, behind the Muslims in front of Harlem Hospital. Harlem’s black people were long since sick and tired of police brutality. And they never had seen any organization of black men take a firm stand as we were . . . and for the first time the black man, woman, and child in the streets was discussing “those Muslims.” (p.234)

The section concludes with newspaper articles written by Malcolm himself deriding the tendency of oppressed people to praise leaders after they are dead instead of while they are still alive. Citing the examples of Moses, Jesus, and Marcus Garvey, he cautions people of color against making the same mistake with Elijah Muhammad.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Reporting Office: New York

Office of Origin: New York

Date: 4/30/58

Investigative Period: 2/17,26;3/5,6,1 l;4/l-4,7,8,10,11,14,19/58

Report made by: [BUREAU DELETION] b7C

Title: MALCOLM LITTLE, was: Malcolm Shabazz; Malcolm X.; Minister Malcolm; Brother Malcolm

Character of case: Security Matter-NOI

SYNOPSIS

Activities of MALCOLM LITTLE in various cities throughout the United States set forth. [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE continues to hold post of Minister of NOI Temple No. 7, NYC, but travels throughout the United States, handling problems for NOI leader ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois. [BUREAU DELETION] subject acted as Minister of Detroit, Michigan, Temple of NOI during September, 1957. LITTLE confined to hospital in New York City for “heart attack” during October, 1957. [BUREAU DELETION] that WILFRED LITTLE, brother of MALCOLM LITTLE, during November, 1957, stated that MALCOLM LITTLE recovered from heart attack. LITTLE continues to reside 25–46 99th Street, Elmhurst, New York.

ACTIVITY IN ALBANY, NEW YORK

[BUREAU DELETION] advised that MALCOLM LITTLE attended a meeting of the NOI held by the Albany Temple on [BUREAU DELETION] . . .

. . . LITTLE stated that for years the black man has waited for Jesus to return, but he would not return and the white race themselves did not believe in the hereafter promised by Christianity. As proof MALCOLM referred to the incident of the recent sickness of President EISENHOWER and stated that the newspapers carried articles saying that EISENHOWER did not wish to receive the hereafter promised by Christianity but instead called for the doctor to save his life.

ACTIVITY IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

[BUREAU DELETION] that the Boston Temple of the NOI held a meeting in Boston, Massachusetts on [BUREAU DELETION] 1957, and that an individual introduced as brother MALCOLM, Minister of the New York Temple, was the main speaker.

... He stated that Negroes have died for this country (United States) and yet we are not citizens; we have worked for this country and we are not citizens. LITTLE stated that a few weeks ago, “they” wrote to “IKE” and asked him to come and help them “and what did he do, he had to go play golf.”

[BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE stated “a Jew is in the White House, Jews in the State House, the Jews run the country. You and I can’t go into a white hotel down South, but a Jew can.”

ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

[BUREAU DELETION] advised that a meeting of the NOI Temple No. 2, Chicago, Illinois, was held on [BUREAU DELETION] 1957, and that MALCOLM LITTLE was one of the speakers. . . .

[BUREAU DELETION] went on to state that in his speech LITTLE said that every leader (president) that has been voted into office has promised to help the Negro people, but these promises were just lies and no president has done anything for the Negro people. He stated that ALLAH is now with them and he is going to destroy all of the white race and the time is now.

[BUREAU DELETION] stated that LITTLE claimed he had recently been in Mobile, Alabama, checking on an incident in which two Muslims had been attacked by white policemen. LITTLE stated that he had talked with the judge in this case who told him that the two Muslims would be released and everything would be alright because they are followers of Islam. LITTLE went on to criticize the Reverend MARTIN LUTHER KING as a traitor to the Negro people who is being used by the white man to further the white man’s aims. He stated that everything the Negro people do today benefits the white race only and the white race provides the Negro with all types of destructive weapons but does not provide him with anything constructive.

ACTIVITY IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

[BUREAU DELETION] 1957, advised that at a meeting of the Detroit NOI Temple on [BUREAU DELETION] 1957, MALCOLM LITTLE said “IKE” (President EISENHOWER) and FAUBUS (Governor of Arkansas) are laughing at the Negroes. Publicly they pretend to be angry with each other, but behind closed doors, they behave like close friends. IKE has no love for the so-called Negro and pretends to be acting in their behalf now, but that is because he and North America do not have any choice. . . .

No white person loves a black man. It is against his nature. Many white men have pretended to love the so-called Negro. You think ABRAHAM LINCOLN loved the Negro.

(MALCOLM read from a book but he never gave the title or author. The passages he read purportedly were quotes from LINCOLN. He stated there was no hope for the black man in America. It also stated LINCOLN was much disturbed by the presence of black folks in the country and he suggested they go back to Africa because they could never achieve an equal status here.)

EISENHOWER has a caddy he calls “Cemetery.” The name is quite appropriate because that Negro is mentally dead.

MALCOLM said America has not seen anything yet. He said when ELIJAH gets through there won’t be anything left of this government.

The Pittsburgh Courier, on November 2, 1957, carried an article captioned, “Detroit Moslems Continue Growth,” which read as follows:

Messenger Elijah Muhammad, the spiritual leader of America’s fastest-growing group of Moslem converts, and considered even by many non-Moslems to be the most outspoken, uncompromising black leader ever to appear among Negroes of America, sent his fiery New York minister, Malcolm X, to represent him in Detroit.

And since his arrival here, things have really begun to hum in the Moslem World.

One of Muhammad’s most devoted followers, Malcolm X is 32 years old, a six-foot three-inch, 195-pound bachelor, who devotes 24 hours daily to spreading Muhammad’s messages among the Negroes of America, and organizing his followers into well-disciplined, fearless warriors for Allah.

Malcolm X has made certain organizational changes since he came, principal of which was the shifting of Minister Lemuel, who headed the Detroit Branch of Muhammad’s Temple, 5401 John C. Lodge, to a temple in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Detroiters say they have never seen anything like the Moslem growth here since the days of Marcus Garvey. During the past two months, the Detroit Moslems have tripled their membership and attendance. No figures were divulged in keeping with Moslem policy.

They purchased the property at the John C. Lodge address, and it will contain a school for the purpose of private tutoring of Moslem children. The zealous followers of Muhammad have been busily cleaning and renovating the temple, and preparing better facilities for their rapidly expanding University of Islam.

A lot of credit for this amazing growth must go to Muhammad’s principal lieutenants, such as Malcolm X.

ACTIVITY AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

The Los Angeles Herald Dispatch, July 18, 1957 edition, carried an article captioned “Young Moslem Leader Explains The Doctrine of Muhammadanism,” which read as follows:

“Islam is a flaming fire sweeping across the entire Dark World today,” said young, militant Moslem leader Malcolm X, in an exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Herald Dispatch New York correspondent today. Mr. X discussed one of the most talked about and the most controversial religions in Harlem. The doctrine preached and followed by the disciples of Elijah Muhammad of Chicago, whose local followers worship in the Muhammad Temple of Islam No. 7, 102 West 116th Street.

The Herald Dispatch, in an effort to answer some of the questions for our readers regarding the Islamic or Moslem faith, assigned this reporter to interview the fiery young leader, the Reverend Mr. Malcolm X, whose column, “God’s Angry Men” begins in theHerald Dispatch this week.

The Los Angeles Herald Dispatch, November 28, 1957 edition, carried an article captioned “Malcolm X Speaks at Elks Hall Weds. Night,” which read as follows:

In this connection, he declared, Negroes must come to a realization of the importance and power of the Negro Press, must take to heart the old adage that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” He pointed out that when the white press recently sought to destroy one of New York’s highest Negro officials, it was only the Negro press who came to his defense and beat back the attack. “It was the Negro press in Harlem,” he declared, “that shot back ‘factual bullets,’ enabling Harlemites to see what the white press was trying to do. By digging up the facts and exposing the hidden motives of the biased white press, the Negro press was able to shatter the conspiracy, and prevent the people of Harlem from being misled by the lies of the white press.”

He warned that without a powerful and militant Negro press, the white press could deceive the Negro people with “its powerful, well-loaded, propaganda guns,” and its slanders of Negro officials. “The Negro people would be wise,” he added, “to keep this weapon (the Negro press) in good condition, strong, well-loaded, independent, alert and ready.”

ACTIVITY AT NEW YORK CITY

The Pittsburgh Courier, November 9, 1957 edition, carried an article captioned “Moslems Announce Million Dollar New York Suit,” which reads as follows:

NEW YORK. Echoes of a near-riot involving members of the Moslem sect of Prophet Elijah Muhammad and New York City police were revived here when Malcolm X announced that a million-dollar suit was being filed against local patrolmen.

Mr. Malcolm X announced that the suit was being filed by one Johnson X who was said to have been beaten into insensibility by arresting officers.

The suit, according to Malcolm X, was filed after a General Sessions Court decision ruled for the dismissal of all charges against Johnson X, who had been accused of felonious assault.

Johnson X was defended by Atty. Edward M. Jacko, along with three other individuals, two of whom were given suspended sentences and the third an acquittal.

One of the men who received a suspended sentence, Lloyd Young, is suing for $50,000 in damages from the beating allegedly inflicted on him by officers, said Malcolm X. The acquitted man, Frank Lee X, a Temple of Islam member, is seeking $75,000 in damages, Malcolm X announced.

According to Malcolm X, Johnson X is accusing officers with false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious and criminal prosecution among sundry other charges.

Malcolm X said, “Johnson X, who suffered severe and permanent brain injuries, had to undergo four major brain operations performed by Dr. Thomas W. Matthews, director of neurosurgery at the Coney Island Hospital.

A sizeable silver plate had to be inserted in Johnson’s head to replace a major portion of the bone which the police had destroyed in their savage battering of his skull. He will be permanently disabled, scarred and crippled for life, and he should be amply and adequately compensated.”

The ruckus involving Johnson X occurred last May when police moved in on a disturbance between a man named Reece V. Poe and an unknown woman. When police began beating Poe, Johnson X intervened and a near riot resulted.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES WRITTEN BY MALCOLM LITTLE

February 6, 1958

The GREAT CURSE of history is when we fail to learn or profit from the mistakes of those who have passed on before us.

Now that the Honorable Marcus Garvey is dead, many of us are making the very same mistake as the people of history . . . recognizing his glorious works among us TOO LATE. It seems that we too, like the people in the days of Moses and Jesus, are too busy paying tribute to the dead to recognize, receive and follow THE LIVING.

According to history, the Jews had been looking for an EMANCIPATOR, but when one of their own kind (Moses) came to them they immediately rejected and rebelled against him. Moses spoke of one “even greater than I” who was yet to come after him, but these same Jews who waited for Moses to die before accepting him as their EMANCIPATOR were so busy worshipping and paying tribute to this dead Moses that when Jesus came who looked like the fulfillment of Moses’ prediction, they rejected the LIVING ONE and lynched him on the cross (according to their own history of it).

This Jesus who preached in Palestine, which is on the Arabian Peninsula, also predicted the coming of one in the last days who would be yet “even greater than I,” but when a man named Muhammad came to these very same Semitic people preaching the NAKED TRUTH, according to history, they too rejected him and constantly plotted to murder him. Just like the other peoples of history, they were too busy following and paying tribute to some “dead leader” of the past to see, receive and follow the LIVING LEADER of the present.

Muhammad himself spoke of one who was yet to come who would be yet greater than he.

February 13, 1958

But history teaches us that it is difficult for a downtrodden people to accept LIVING LEADERS. The downtrodden have usually been so thoroughly robbed, deceived and BRAINWASHED (well indoctrinated) by their masters that their ignorant and superstitious minds seem incapable of seeing that a GREAT MAN has come to help them until after that man is dead and gone. Thus, the downtrodden always end up idolizing and paying tribute after he is dead, to the very same one whom they reject, condemn and persecute while he is living.

Will we never learn from the foolish mistakes of others? HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF: thus its historic WARNINGS should keep us on guard today.

The late Mr. Garvey came into this country awakening the downtrodden so-called Negroes to the importance of SELF, and trying to instill a Black Nationalistic spirit into us, but most of us were busy worshipping the “dead leaders” of the past, and some of us were IGNORANTLY waiting for these “dead leaders” to return from the grave, therefore we rejected the late Mr. Garvey and helped our white Christian slavemasters plot his downfall.

Now that Mr. Garvey is dead, again HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. Many who were Mr. Garvey’s greatest enemies are today his strongest advocates and defenders.

Tribute is still being paid to a DEAD Moses. Worship is being wasted on a DEAD Jesus. Millions honor a DEAD Muhammad. And, many respect and revere a DEAD Mr. Garvey.

All of these “followers” are seemingly sincere and are supposed to be intelligent. Yet, all are so busy whooping and hollering over THE DEAD, like others in history they are failing to see the greatest LIVING EMANCIPATOR and TRUTH BEARER that the world has ever known, who is right here in America today in the person of the Honorable ELIJAH MUHAMMAD.

This is the one whom Moses, Jesus and Muhammad all spoke of who would be here in America in the “last days” of the “white world” with a Divine Message of NAKED TRUTH which would give “life” (ISLAM) back to the long lost so-called Negroes, set us FREE from the clutches of our enemies and restore us back among Our Own Kind.

Did not Mr. Garvey declare that a “greater than he” was coming to carry Mr. Garvey’s uncompleted work into completion? Must we who were faithful followers of the late Mr. Garvey make the same mistake of the others in history, and wait until after this great man, Messenger ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, is gone before we too recognize him fearlessly and uncompromisingly by his works that HE IS FOR US?

Why must we always worship DEAD men? Why must we always follow DEAD leaders? It is because our ignorance has slowed our thinking ability so much that our minds can’t keep up with events, and by the time we realize what is happening the EMANCIPATOR is here and gone before we are mentally capable of recognizing him.

We should show forth greater wisdom TODAY. Let us forget the DEAD past and start concentrating all efforts on the LIVING PRESENT. “Let the DEAD bury the DEAD.”