Malcolm X_ A Life of Reinvention - Manning Marable [353]
269 an NOI leader since the assassination. Clegg, An Original Man, p. 201.
270 but a significant minority of non-Muslim blacks. “Malcolm X Scores U.S. and Kennedy: Likens Slaying to ‘Chickens Coming Home to Roost,’” New York Times, December 2, 1963; and Herman Ferguson interview, June 27, 2003.
271 “been making [the Mecca pilgrimage] since then.” Ibid.
271 affirmed Islam as their faith would be saved. Ibid.
271 “speaks for the black masses of America”—that is, Elijah Muhammad. Ibid.
272 “Revolutions are destructive and bloody.” Ibid.
273 “never did make me sad; they’ve always made me glad.” “Malcolm X Scores U.S. and Kennedy.”
273 “he made the statement, I didn’t think anything about it.” Larry 4X Prescott interview, June 9, 2006.
273 “nobody paid any particular attention to it.” Herman Ferguson interview, June 27, 2003.
274 Marilyn E.X., his secretary, would continue working for him. Clegg, An Original Man, p. 202; and DeCaro, On the Side of My People, pp. 191-92. It appears that Malcolm continued to have access to Mosque No. 7’s secretary until early 1964. Marilyn E.X., Malcolm’s secretary, wrote Frank Quinn of the San Francisco Council for Civic Unity on December 30, 1963, requesting a copy of a television interview featuring Malcolm X on a local program, “Cities and Negroes.” See Marilyn E.X. to Frank Quinn, December 30, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 4.
274 “‘very shocked at the assassination of President Kennedy.’” “Malcolm X Suspended for JFK Remarks,” Amsterdam News, December 7, 1963.
274 “I agree I need to withdraw from public appearance.” Ibid.; and “Malcolm X Suspended,” Chicago Defender, December 5, 1963.
274 “and even that job reportedly was in doubt.” X On the Spot,” Newsweek, December 16, 1963.
275 “but he would make no public speeches.” Larry 4X Prescott interview, June 9, 2006.
275 “and I said, ‘Oh-oh, something funny is going on.’” James 67X Warden interview, June 18, 2003.
275 public fiascos with the American Nazi Party. Ibid.
275 otherwise surely heightened the tension between them. Rickford, Betty Shabazz, pp. 164- 65. Rickford speculates that Malcolm’s “lingering loyalty” to the NOI “might have sparked more feuds at home.”
276 “just exclude public speaking engagements.” “Malcolm X Expected to Be Replaced,” New York Times, December 6, 1963.
276 Malcolm never really worked on the project. DeCaro, On the Side of My People, pp. 191-92.
276 “just as they put it in the back of Medgar Evers.” “Malcolm Answers Jackie Robinson,” Chicago Defender, December 7, 1963. Also see “Reject Racist Views in Open Retort to Malcolm,” Chicago Defender, December 14, 1963.
277 “he will not be permitted to speak in public.” “Malcolm X Maintains Silence,” Amsterdam News, December 14, 1963.
277 “people without cultural roots are automatically dead.” Malcolm X to Martin Miller, December 6, 1963, MXC-S, box 3, folder 4.
277 “the only spokesman for the Black Muslims.” “A Summing Up: Louis Lomax Interviews Malcolm X,ʺ in Lomax, When the Word Is Given, pp. 169-80.
277 “sticks out his lip and starts popping off.” Clegg, An Original Man, p. 203.
278 corroborate Malcolm’s supposed rumormongering. Evanzz, The Messenger, p. 278.
278 neither believed that a total split was inevitable. Clegg, An Original Man, pp. 203-5.
278 he was praying to atone for his errors. Ibid., pp. 205-6.
278 Elijah Muhammad, Ali, and Sharrieff were all present. Ibid., pp. 203-7; and Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, p. 125.
279 “Go back and put out the fire you started.” Clegg, An Original Man, p. 207; and Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 125-26.
279 “another, less metaphorical grave in mind.” Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, p. 126.
279 even by James 3X Shabazz in Malcolm’s own former post. Larry 4X Prescott interview, June 9, 2006.
279 over seven hours, deep into the night. MX FBI, Memo, New York Office, February 12, 1964.
280 having Clay on his side was a plus. Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, pp. 127-29.
280 to