Tag: Malcolm X

Days of Rage: America’s Radical Underground, the FBI, and the Forgotten Age of Revolutionary Violence – Byran Burrough

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

“The first lesson a revolutionary must learn is that he is a doomed man.” – Huey P. Newton (1942-1989)

On August 22, 1989, former Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton was shot and killed on a street corner in Oakland, California. His death was sudden and violent, and a reminder that the streets are unforgiving. Newton’s notoriety as a representative of Black voices during the Civil Rights Movement earned him a place on the watchlist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). To some Newton was a dangerous radical working to destroy America but to others he was an icon who had the courage to stand up to a system in need of an overhaul. Regardless of opinion, Newton was only one of many people who took the streets determined to change America by any means necessary and were not afraid to use violence. Sadly, that meant collateral damage and fear during an era author Bryan Burrough calls days of rage. This is the story of the under radical movement in the United States which produced some of the most dangerous figures this nation has ever seen.

The book is extensive but focuses on several main organizations whose names are well-known. The first is Weatherman a/k/a The Weather Underground  which is credited by the FBI to having set off twenty-five bombs in U.S. Government buildings, police stations and the office of the California Attorney General. And its stand out star was Samuel J. Melville (1934-1971) whom we learn of in the story, along with Bernadine Dohrn who ironically is a retired law professor. I did not know about Melville or Dohrn prior to reading the book nor was I familiar with Weatherman. However, by the time I finished the book I was firmly aware of its existence, its actions, and its dark legacy. Burrough delivers on the goods and takes us inside Weatherman and the anarchy it caused. But this is only the beginning in a long book that is nothing short of a roller coaster ride.

As a primer, the author discusses the Civil Rights Movement which sets the stage for the violence to come. However, what is interesting is that neither Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) nor Malcolm X (1925-1965) were “extreme” compared to the others figures the author discusses. Dr. King had always preached non-violence and Malcolm strongly believed in self-defense by any means necessary. Neither led any violent raids or set off bombs but the cause they fought for, believed in and died for, was the proof others needed to escalate resistance to levels which caught the attention of the White House. The Black Panther Party found itself on the radar of the FBI and in due time the bureau would make use of its COINTEL program to destroy all organizations it deemed enemies of America. Newton and his colleagues would fall victim as would others whose lives are exmained in the book. The FBI was focused but the underground radical movement was growing exponentially. And as the story progresses, the suspense heightens, and the tension builds as radicals attempt to turn the United States upside down. Violence, sex, drugs, fame and calls for revolution form a potent mix from which both charasmatic and outlandish figures emerged in their quest to change the nation permanently.

I mentioned earlier that there are several organizations discussed in the book. Aside from Weatherman, there is Donald “Cinque” DeFreeze (1943-1974) and the Symbionese Liberation Army (“SLA”) whose story on its own is surreal. Of course, it cannot be told without addressing the abduction and enlistment of Patty Hearst.  Her story has been told by others, and it is thoroughly presented here as well but I could not help but shake my head in disbelief DeFreeze’s bizarre rhetoric and his ability to attract followers. The downfall of the SLA and its tragic finale left me with chills, but the book was far from over. In fact, while the SLA is conducting its unorthodox fallacies, members of Weatherman are still moving around America. And the chaos they created would be amplified by more extreme radicals whose names are synonymous with bank heists and gun battles with law enforcement.

The name Raymond Luc Levasseur did not stand out at first but older readers may be familiar with his story. However, that changed as the story progressed and the organization to which he belonged, the United Freedom Front, made itself known in a string of bank robberies and getaways straight out of Hollywood fiction. A tour of duty in Vietnam and racial discrimination had help shape Levasseur into the radical the FBI wanted off the streets as soon as possible. But that did not happen and the story of how Levasseur evaded capture is one of the more fascinating parts of the book. He was not alone and had a family to support and had been joined by other adults. Their ability to pack up and leave on a moment’s notice is surreal and their ability to evade capture was almost flawless except for one crucial mistake. To be fair, bombings were occurring with such frequency that law enforcement officials struggled to keep up and keep track. And just when it seemed that one group might be on the verge of extinction, another rose to the occasion.

My father had previously told me the story of William Morales, a member of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional Puertorriqueña (“FALN”) who had severely injured himself while making a bomb in his Queens apartment. The accident is gruesome but there is more to the story than my father had explained. In fact, Morales’ s disfigurement and escape from justice is unbelievable due to the limited use of his hands and impaired vision. His disappearance from Bellevue Hospital left me speechless. Despite a manunt and nationwide attention, Morales remained on the loose and is still alive today,  living in Cuba along with another radical in our story, Joanne Chesimard a/k/a Assata Shakur who remains a wanted fugitive by the FBI. The reasons for her status as a fugitive at large are explained in the book, in particular the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike on May 2, 1973, in which Trooper Werner Foerster was shot and mortally wounded. The full story of the traffic stop, shootout and her conviction are too extensive for this book but the author weaves into the narrative without breaking the pace or weakening its intensity. Morales and Shakur will likely remain in Cuba for the rest of their lives but there was another Shakur who did not fare as well.

If you are familiar with the late rap star Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) you will be familiar with the story of his step-father Mutulu Shakur (1950-2023), a member of the Black Liberation Army whose actions are some of the darkest parts of the book. Shakur’s descent into radicalism sets him on a dark path destined for destruction. And that point is driven home when Shakur and his co-conspirators rob a Brinks armored car at the Nanuet Mall in Nanuet, New York on October 20, 1981. The full story of the robbery is too intricate for a blog post, but I was glued to the book as the drama unfolded. It is mind blowing and horribly tragic. The robbery left two Nyack police officers and an armed guard dead, and resulted in Shakur serving forty years in prison before being released for health reasons in December 2022. The Brinks robbery remains etched in New York State history and is a chilling chapter to a book that pulls no punches. Burrough gives us an uncut look into America’s haunting past and the years in which armed struggled was a calling card for aspiring young revolutionaries across the country.

Burrough’s book is long but it is beautifully written, well researched, and powerful. The history contained within the book is not pleasant but what the author discusses can serve as reminders of how far America has come and where it should never return to. If you lived through these years and recall the level of danger which existed, this book will bring back profound memories. I intend to discuss it with my father who has always said that the 1960s and 1970s were scary times because of the threat of nuclear war, assassinations, social unrest, revolution, and the rise of serial killers. Many of the figures in this book are now deceased and others well into their senior years are no longer on the streets planning acts of violence. But they have not forgotten theirs nor has America. Their legacies are complex depending on who you ask but the fact remains that hope move side by side with fear as the radical underground grabbed the country’s attention. This book is an invaluable tool in understand how and why the radical underground came to be.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LFZ84PC
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (April 7, 2015)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley – Malcolm X and Alex Haley

On By Genyc79In AutobiographyLeave a comment

malcolm

During my sophomore year of high school, my English teacher Ms. Cregan, had asked each of us to pick a book for the Christmas and New Year holiday recess, and later author a report on it. I chose the ‘Autobiography of Malcolm X As Told to Alex Haley‘. After finishing the book, I drafted the required report and earned an A+ for it. However, the passage of thirty years left me with faded memories of its contents. Malcolm’s story has been told by others and there are documentaries which discuss the Nation of Islam. However, I wanted to read Malcolm’s words again as told to Alex Haley. My most recent blog post was a review of Robert J. Norrell’s biography of Haley which examined the late author’s life and the books he authored, which had a significant impact on American culture. Sadly, Malcolm never saw the publication of this book which ends in January 1965, a month before his murder at the Audobon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. But that does not diminish the book’s power, importance, and relevance.

In 1992, Warner Bros. released ‘Malcolm X‘ starring Hollywood legend Denzel Washington in the lead role. The film was a hit, and Washington nailed the portrayal of the late civil rights icon. However, the film does have its flaws, notably in the absence of Malcolm’s siblings as the story is told. His widow Dr. Betty Shabazz (1934-1997) was a consultant on the film, but the lack of input from Malcolm’s half-sister Ella Little-Collins (1914-1996) is regrettable. In spite of this, the film is a masterpiece and Spike Lee remains a critical voice in bringing the experiences of Black Americans to the silver screen. If you have seen the film, you will see the portrayal of Malcolm story which line up with what is told here. Hollywood did take some liberties in production, but the movie is fairly accurate.

Malcolm kicks off the story by revisiting his childhood in Lansing, Michigan during the 1920s. What he explains is what one would expect of life for Black Americans in a time where Jim Crow was a real and deadly threat. But for the young Malcolm, there are also issues inside the house where his father Earl (1890-1931) and mother Louise (1894 or 1897 – 1989) do their best to provide for eight children (Earl had previously fathered children before Louise and that union had produced Malcolm’s sister Ella). The family had moved from Omaha, Nebraska but could not escape the poverty Black Americans found themselves in. Malcolm’s descriptions of hunger and tensions between his parents are sobering, and Earl’s untimely demise is a significant blow to Louise who is left to raise eight children as a single-mother. It is not long before the State of Michigan becomes involved leading to separation at home and Louise dealing with life-long psychiatric issues. And though Malcolm found refuge in the home of a couple determined to provide a loving environment, his biological family had been fractured, and it was something he never forgot.

As he grows into a young man, his ethnicity becomes more of an issue, and he discusses race and the views held by those close to him including the family that had taken him in. And an incident with a teacher who gave him advice as to what he should aspire to be as a Black American, was a turning point in his life. Teachers reading this book will be mortified at the instructor’s comments. However, everything changes when Malcolm moves to Boston to live with Ella. As you can imagine, a country boy arriving in the big city has a lot to learn. And Malcolm takes us on that journey as he learns the street life. Added to this are his “zoo suits” and “conked” hair which were common on the street in those times. Speaking frankly about his past self, Malcolm dissects the foolishness of his earlier ways. His stint as a porter on the railroad is also revisited and how his employment opened his eyes to another world: New York City. He could not have known then that New York would be his final resting place.

The story changes gear and the streets become Malcolm’s home. He lived the hustler’s life and readers will take note of his full immersion in a life of destruction. It was a miracle that he was not killed on the streets of Boston or New York. He was flying high and introduced us to the characters we see in the film. There is the sad descent of Laura into a life off debauchery, the romance with Sophia and the fallout with West Indian Archie. As I read the story, I could see his downfall coming, and after a botched robbery, he and his friend “Shorty” find themselves arrested, convicted, and sent to prison. Of course, there is more to the robbery story, and race does play a factor in the ir fates. Reading it today feels surreal, but this was America at that time and the idea of interracial relationships or marriage was illegal in many states. However, for Malcolm, prison would be his savior.

Malcolm’s prison experience, as he tells it, is different from what we see in the film. In fact, the character “Brother Baines” is fictional. The true story of his conversion to Islam is more intricate, and involved several of his siblings who had previously joined the Nation of Islam (“NOI”). His brothers Reginald Little (1927-2001) and Philbert Little (1923-1994) each played a role with the latter having a larger impact to his close relationship with Malcolm. However, their actions after his death left me speechless. The details are in the epilogue by Haley. I was fascinated by Malcolm’s transformation which was nothing short of incredible. His methods to improve himself and ability to digest information are signs of the future iconic figure we know today. But that was still to come and before we reach the streets of Harlem, he goes through his conversion to Islam which involves pledging allegiance to the NOI and its leader Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975). The remainder of the book focuses on the NOI and Malcolm’s fallout and later defection which had deadly consequences.

A full discussion of the NOI and Malcolm’s relationship would be enough to fill several volumes of books. Malcolm condenses the story and touches on the most critical issues. He explains his rise and how Islam began to reach Black Americans. But he could not ignore trouble rumors which turned into factual revelations that Muhammad had fathered children out of wedlock. The crack in the relationship between Malcolm and the NOI had been formed. Curiously, Malcolm does not mention that Muhammad had been having an affair with a woman who he once had been involved with. That information is contained in ‘Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention‘ by the late Manning Marable (1950-2011). Marable died before his book was published but had spent ten years researching and drafting his book which is strongly recommended for readers interested in Malcolm’s life. He discusses the topics which did not make the cut in this book. Malcolm had started to become disillusioned with the NOI but remained loyal. However, that all changed in the wake of the murder of President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). Malcolm had been asked to comment on the assassination. Elijah Muhammad had given specific orders for no statements to be made by the NOI. While answering the question, Malcolm made the “chicken coming home to roost” statement which went viral in the press and led to a ninety-day suspension. But as we learn from him, the stage was being set for his removal from the NOI.

The gap between Malcolm and the NOI continues to widen as the story progresses. And while he explains the things he learned and noticed about the increasing animosity towards him, we also see that he becomes more fatalistic regarding his own mortality. His eyes had been opened but there is one more crucial event that opens the door for his reinvention: the pilgrimage to Mecca. It should be noted that his trip would not have been possible with his sister Ella who played a monumental role in Malcolm’s life. Her role in helping Malcolm throughout his life cannot be overstated. Moving forward, the trip to Mecca was not without its mishaps but the experience was life changing for him. He revisits the pilgrimage, and it is evident by his words that it changed his life. He was away from America but when he returned, the troubles with the NOI were far from gone. And upon arrival back in New York, the tensions escalated. Malcolm knew he was a marked man, but he makes a couple of statements that caught my attention. The first implies that the order to kill him was no secret and the second implies that forces outside the NOI may have been involved. Regardless, the clock was ticking, and he knew death was waiting. The final weeks of his life were chaotic and the attempts on his life resembled a Hollywood production. But this was no film and killers were after him. And on February 21, 1965, the end came in a hail of bullets.

Haley tells the aftermath of the shooting, but it is a not a full discussion of everything that happened. I do not believe Haley intended it to be either. It is more of a recap before the book concludes. Haley’s epilogue is an added bonus which does discuss events post-assassination. Again, it is not a full discussion of the trials of the three men convicted in Malcolm’s death (two have been exonerated) but a discussion of how the death impacted the NOI and Malcolm’s supporters, including the late actor Ossie Davis (1917-2005), whose eulogy of Malcolm still gives me chills. After I finished the book, I saw quietly for several minutes and thought about Malcolm’s life and its tragic end. I asked myself if any of us fully understood him. Today in 2024, wisdom can be found in his words. We will not agree with everything he said, and Malcolm himself stated that what he learned in the NOI was not the true Islam. Following his pilgrimage to Mecca, he had come to see what Islam should mean and wanted the gift of love and peace to confront the racism plaguing America. However, the forces against him were determined to prevail and America was not ready for the change he envisioned. There will never be another Malcolm X, and these words by him are a summation of all the things he experienced and did in his short life:

“Yes, I have cherished my “demagogue” role. I know that societies often have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America—then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.” – Malcolm X 

This book is a gift that keeps on giving. Highly recommended.

ASIN :‎ B013ZNNX5C
Publisher :‎ Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (August 25, 2015)

Alex Haley and the Books That Changed a Nation – Robert J. Norrell

On By Genyc79In BiographiesLeave a comment

AlexAs January 1977 approached, ABC studios prepared for what would become an earth-shattering moment in American television history. Network executives had given the green light to a miniseries called ‘Roots‘ about the experience of Black Americans brought to the New World as slaves. The show was a monstrous success, and the final episode caught the attention of one-hundred million Americans. The series had been adapted for the silver screen based on the writings of the late Alexander Murray Palmer “Alex” Haley (1921-1992). Known to the world simply as “Alex” the author had turned America’s attention to the experience of its Black citizens who ordeal was far from over. But Roots was not his only success, and he had found fame in other ways as well. Further, there was more to the writer than the books bearing his name. Haley’s life on its own is the subject of this book which peels back the layers on the life of a gifted writer whose untimely demise left a void in the circle of Black authors which has never been filled.

When I saw this book in my list of recommendations, it caught my attention because I knew of Haley and his work. In high school, an English teacher named Ms. Drew who assigned several books for summer reading. One of those books was ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Aley Haley‘ which I wrote a report about after finishing Malcolm’s story. The book has stayed with me, and I am currently reading it again. Of course, there were things Malcolm left out but the book has stood the test of time as required reading for those in search of an understanding of the life of Malcolm X (1925-1965). The story here begins in Henning, Tennessee under the weight of Jim Crow, a system young Palmer, as he is called by family, learns to navigate. However, his family would have been labeled middle class even as African Americans at that time. Further, the strong influence of his grandparents is readily apparent as the story progresses. However, tragedy strikes in several ways in which no one could have predicted. But in the end life must go on and it did for the young Alex Haley.

As he grows up, the story shifts gear when Uncle Sam enters the picture. I did not know that Haley had enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. This fateful decision is part of the reason the world received the writer who changed literature. I found myself glued to the pages as I read about his movement through the Navy which was not immune to racial discrimination and segregation. However, Haley had a gift with the pen, and he was literate. Readers may be surprised at the illiteracy found among fellow sailors but at that time, it was an escape for both poor whites and poor blacks, some of whom lacked formal education. Between letters and weekly articles, Haley’s star continued to rise, and he caught the attention of senior officers who realized his talents were wasted below decks. The story is incredible and highlights how far talent can take us. Surely, there were helping hands along the way as Haley completed a twenty-year career, retiring in 1959. Upon discharge, he was free to write as a freelancer but soon learned life outside the military was far less structured.

Haley’s writings are the crux of the story, but his personal life remains under scrutiny. And we learn of the three marriages in his life and the failed relationships he left behind. As each relationship develops, we can see as a reader the upcoming pitfall that Haley could not escape. However, it is fair to say that there is no perfect relationship nor a perfect human being, and his personal transgressions do not take away from his monumental contributions to American culture. But admittedly, his lack of parenting and ability to provide companionship to those who needed it stand in stark contrast to his unwavering commitment to the subjects of his books. And after moving from place to place and scraping by, he receives the opportunity of a lifetime even if he did not yet know it.

When Haley meets Malcolm X, the intensity level in the book increases significantly and rightfully so. Malcolm was an intensely charismatic and intelligent figure, but their connection did not develop quickly. It was interesting to see how long it took for their bond to develop and their early struggles as Malcolm told his story. Sadly, we know Malcolm did not leave to see the book’s publication. In fact, as explained in the story, Haley had spoken to Malcolm the day before his assassination at the Audobon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. This section gave me chills instantly. Curiously, the biography was not an instant hit, and publishers were not keen on it. In hindsight, we can see today that they had a masterpiece that needed time to reach its audience. But after Malcolm’s death, Haley needed work and money, and soon embarked on the project that changed his life and the core of American society.

Prior to reading the book, I did not know the story behind Roots. Well, the author tackles that subject, and we follow Haley to Africa as he searches for his family’s roots. And it is here that the story of Roots was born. The mission to get the book published was nothing short of brutal and the chaos is on full display as Norrell continues the story. The project was eventually completed and the decision to make a television series changes the game completely. Television is fascinating and the development of Roots, a story of its own, is also revisited, and the effort behind the show was monumental. The author pays close focus on the show’s impact which was staggering and how it reached Americans of every creed. The show was a success, and Haley was riding high until the lawsuits and accusations of fraud arrive.

At this point in the book, Haley has built up his image and wallet, but both come close to being undone from the fallout from litigation. The lawsuits and accusations leveled against him were serious, but the author presents a case against those which were frivolous. In the end, it is up to the reader to decide how he or she chooses to view his work. Haley had written a well-intentioned and emotional book about the dehumanizing system of slavery, and no one could deny its popularity and importance. The charges against him and the settlement of one claim damaged his image but failed to put him out of commission. And despite accusations that the entire story was made up, Roots remained a hit. And Haley remained in high esteem and sought after for lectures.

Following the success of Roots, Haley enjoyed fame but never again reached the heights of the television series. However, had he not died unexpectedly on February 10, 1992, he may have given us another masterpiece to change the way we view ourselves, each other, and the country we call home. If you need an enjoyable book about an author who shook up America, this will be a good addition to your library.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WDW06HA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Press (November 10, 2015)

The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X – Les Payne & Tamara Payne

On By Genyc79In BiographiesLeave a comment

malcolmFebruary 21, 2024, will mark fifty-nine years since the assassination of Malcolm X (el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) (1925-1965) at the Audobon Ballroom in Harlem, New York. His murder remains a topic of discussion, but the crime itself has been de-mystified through books and documentaries. Malcolm authored his own autobiography with the help of Alex Haley (1921-1992), but omitted certain aspects of his life. In my search to learn more about him, I came across Manning Marable’s (1950-2011)  ‘Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention‘.  I also read Bruce Perry’s ‘Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America‘, which contained surprising allegations regarding Malcolm’s persona life. Marable also made salacious claims which are still up for debate. Perry’s biography is a good starting, but lacks the detail of Marable’s work and the biography here by Les Payne (1941-2018) and his daughter Tamara, who finished her father’s writing after his untimely death. However, compared to Marable’s writing, the Paynes take a different approach by leaving out gossip and assumptions while focusing on Malcolm’s time within the Nation of Islam (“NOI”) which cast a dark cloud over Malcolm’s last days.

The authors revisit Malcolm’s early life and in particular his father Earl Little, Sr. (1890-1931) who has an interesting story of his own. In fact, I learned more details about him than I had previously known. And those details add more to Malcolm’s story which sadly is left out of the 1992 film starring Denzel Washington as the late iconic figure. The book moves at a steady pace and the authors do not give too much attention to areas which would have prolonged the story. We are given more than enough information about Malcolm’s youth, his move to Boston where his sister Ella Little-Collins (1914-1996) takes him in, and his fall from grace as he is tried, convicted and sent to prison. Like Marable, the Paynes ensure that Ella is a crucial part of the story. Sadly, she is not shown in the film due to personal differences behind the scenes. Another figure crucial to the story is Minister Louis Farrakhan, who appears in the story but only briefly towards the end. I first thought this was odd but having finished the book I understand the decision to keep Farrakhan’s role to a minimum.

The crux of this book is unquestionably Malcolm’s time in the NOI under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975). As a primer, the origins of the NOI are discussed and the disappearance of its mysterious founder Wallace D. Fard,  whose exodus paved the way for Muhammad. Interested readers can review the case files maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) here. I have started to examine them and Fard has quite the story. There are statements in the book from people who met Fard providing a glimpse into who he was. However, it is not clear what happened to him in 1934 when he vanished without a trace. But with Fard gone, the NOI was in the firm grip of Muhammad who through his rising star minister would expand the NOI and capture the FBI’s attention.

The first hint of trouble in Malcolm’s relationship with the NOI comes through a well-hidden story which has not garnered enough attention: the working agreement between the NOI and the Ku Klux Klan (“KKK”). This explosive story is not entirely secret and is reconstructed here to show the impact it had on Malcolm and the contradictions he was forced to confront. Further, as he became more popular, Malcolm gained more enemies, some of whom were members of Muhammad’s family. The dysfunction within Muhammad’s family is a story of its own but what stands out here is the contempt some of Muhammad’s children help for Malcolm. Further, the revelation of Muhammad’s illegitimate children by his son Wallace added fuel to the fire, and what develops is a toxic relationship between Malcolm and the NOI. And this is where the stage is set for his murder. Marable did discuss the attempts on Malcolm’s life but while reading this book, I read between the lines more closely to understand what Malcolm himself was saying about the NOI as his date with destiny approached.

Enemies of Malcolm had called for his removal as early as 1963, but the reasons for it need further exploration. The tension between him and Elijah Muhammad were an issue, but after reading this book I have come to believe that it is what Malcolm knew about NOI affairs as a whole that sealed his fate. In fact, he alluded to this several days before his death as discussed in the book. Frankly, he was too popular, too smart, and too willing to tell the truth about the Nation to remain alive. Readers will see the nexus of conspirators come into focus as the story progresses. And the picture, which is emerges, is of a man facing enemies both seen and unseen, determined to end his existence and project Muhammad and the NOI. Missing from the story is Malcolm’s relationship with his wife. Of course, Betty Shabazz (1934-1997) is in the story but very little is discussed regarding their marriage. This diverges sharply from Marable’s book which did discuss their marriage and personal struggles. Also left out of the main narrative is Clara Muhammad (1899-1972) whose marriage to Elijah Muhammad suffered under the strain of the paternity issues facing him as his deeds came to light. However, the story remains intriguing without those items on the agenda, and I did not lose focus on the growing web of danger surrounding Malcolm. In fact, the story builds up the suspense and it felt as if everyone else could see what Malcolm did not. It reminded me of the scene in the film where Betty (Angela Bassett) says to Malcolm (Denzel Washington) ” Open your eyes. Open your eyes. You can face death 24 hours a day, but the possibility of betrayal never enters your head. Open your eyes”.

The dreaded moment we know is coming arrives when Malcolm takes center stage at the Audobon Ballroom. The fracas and ensuing chaos are re-told here in vivid detail, including the events at Newark’s Mosque No. 25 as the assassins returned from New York. And it is alleged that among these killers was William Bradley (1938-2018), who is also examined in the Netflix docuseries ‘Who Killed Malcolm X?“. And like the docuseries, we learn here that the murder was an “open secret” within the NOI. I felt chills down my spine as the book’s conclusion played out. To be fair, Bradley was never convicted in a court of law of any wrongdoing. And though he did have a criminal record, none of the charges were related to Malcolm’s death. However, convicted assassin Talmadge X Hayer (Thomas Hagan) did admit that Bradley was the assassin who fired the sawed-off shotgun that day. The Paynes do not go into the subsequent arrests and convictions, choosing to end the book with Malcolm’s passing. They do, however, include a section about undercover New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer Gene Roberts who also comes under scrutiny in the Netflix docuseries. Needless to say, Roberts was not the only person who saw the assassins that day. Scores of informants were in the ballroom that day, and each reported to case officers following the shooting.

We may never know the full truth about Malcolm’s death, and at least two shooters escaped justice. Malcolm is gone but his life will not be forgotten. And every year he is remembered for what could have been. If you need a streamlined account of Malcolm’s short but extraordinary life, you may find this to be exactly what you are looking for.

ASIN‏ :‎ B085T2DG2L

The Judas Factor: The Plot to Kill Malcolm X – Karl Evanzz

On By Genyc79In General Reading2 Comments

evanzz1The recent Netflix series Who Killed Malcolm X, shed light on many dark secrets tsurrounding the assassination of Malcolm X (1925-1965) on February 21, 1965 as he began a speech at the Audobon Ballroom in Harlem, New York.   In the wake of the murder, three men were convicted for the crime.  Talmadge Hayer and Norman 3X Butler (now known as Muhammad Abdul Aziz) are still alive but Thomas 15X Johnson died in August, 2009. It is known today that Hayer was one of five assassins who executed Malcolm X. Of the four, high focus was paid on the late Ali Mustafa Shabazz, known then as William X/William Bradley.  In his affidavit provided to attorney William Kunstler (1919-1995), Hayer claimed that “William had the shotgun”.  In spite of the new revelations in 1970, Malcolm’s murder is considered a solved homicide.  The Netflix series revealed a wealth of information as did Manning Marable’s Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. However, the examination of the murder presented here by author Karl Evanzz, is a gem of its own.  

Surprisingly, the book is not solely focused on Malcolm’s murder. In fact, the actual assassination is addressed at the beginning and end of the book.  But in between, Evanzz discusses a range of topics related not only to Malcolm’s murder but other events that took place during the turbulent 1960s.  What can be gleaned from the book is that a crucial part of the plot to kill Malcolm might have been related to political change in the continent of Africa.  As I read through the book, I thought to myself that this part of the discussion is almost always left out. And once readers have digested the full magnitude of what Malcolm had been planning at the time of his death, the assassination will be seen in a much different light.   

In the Netlix series, the tension and eventual falling out between Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975) is discussed extensively.  However, there were somethings that were not included in the final editing process.  Evanzz provides a significant amount of information on the inner workings of the Nation of Islam (“NOI”) and Muhammad’s personal life including the legal issues of at least two of his sons. And for readers interested in the history of the NOI, Evanzz revisits examines the story of the once elusive Wallace Fard Muhammad (1877-1934), the prophet who established the Temple of Islam, the forerunner to the NOI.  Fard was never seen again after 1934 and we can only guess as to what happened to him.   In the wake of his death, Elijah Muhammad established himself as the unquestioned leader of the NOI.  On the surface, he presented himelf as an all-loving leader fully committed to the well-being of black men and women but below the surface as we see in the book, Muhammad was protecting many dark secrets.  

As I read through the book, I felt that the murder of Malcolm X is really a small part of the full story.  The author did an incredible job of taking the reader back into time to understand how the United States and the world was changing at the time.  Malcolm was without a doubt the NOI’s rising star and heir apparent to Muhammad. But over time the friction between the two developed on account of Muhammad’s personal life which became a hot topic in NOI circles.  The fallout that ensued revealed the bitterness between teacher and former student.  And once the rift develops, a dark cloud is cast over the story as the NOI ramps up its attacks on Malcolm, who realizes that death is coming for him.  But what Malcolm says about who wants him dead threw me for a loop and raised my suspicions about a number of things. Readers familiar with the NOI”s inner circle might blanch when they read through this part. 

I truly cannot say enough good things about this book.  Evanzz looked at the murder for many angles and left no stone unturned.  Secrets emerge regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (“FBI”) COINTEL program, the NYPD’s Bureau of Special Servicess (“BOSSI”) and the actions of the Central Intelligence Agency (“CIA”).  And even within the NOI, disturbing facts come to light about life as a follower of Muhammad.  The Netflix series did feature John Ali, who held several different titles in the NOI. What is learned about him in the book just might make some readers stare in belief at the pages in front of them.  Evanzz’s words are beyond sobering and highlight just how deep the division between Malcolm and the nation was.  However, a statement Malcolm makes about the forces he believed were pulling the strings behind the attempts on his life should cause readers to take notice.  If is almost as if Malcolm knew there was a far more sinister plot in the works. In the weeks leading up to his murder, his actions which are retraced here, show a man who knew the end was coming but continued on his path even with a bullseye on his back. 

Marable’s book on Malcolm’s life is far more extensive than what is found here. However, Evanzz did not write a biography and solely focuses on Malcolm’s demise. As a result, the discussion is shorter but also more streamlined.  Regardless, it is a fascinating look into what really was taking place in the weeks leading up the assassination. The book is riveting, informative and also tragic. But it is a great source of information for the last few years of Malcolm’s life.  Good read. 

ISBN-10: 1560250496
ISBN-13: 978-1560250494

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention – Manning Marable

On By Genyc79In Biographies1 Comment

ManningLast week,  my mother and I had a discussion about the actor Denzel Washington, who is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s greatest stars.  For both of us, his role as civil rights figure Malcolm X (1925-1965) in 1992 biopic ‘Malcolm X‘, was a shining moment in which he showed the world his talent as an actor and Spike Lee’s known skills as a powerful filmmaker. I had been contemplating my next book to read and came across this biography by late author Manning Marable (1950-2011). I had previously read The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley and Bruce Perry’s Malcolm: THe Life of Man Who Changed America .  The former is a classic read widely across the globe.  Perry’s biography is a great read and addressed many topics that Haley did not include.  Stepping into the picture is Marable with this phenomenal biography that surpasses Perry’s and provides an even more intimate look into Malcolm’s life.

One of the hardest parts of completing a project as daunting as a biography is separating fact from fiction.  Marable exhaustively researched his subject and it clearly shows throughout the book.  The amount of information in the book is staggering and will leave many readers speechless at times.  I cannot say with certainty how much information Spike Lee had access to when making the film.  But what is clear from reading this book is that there is a good chance some things were withheld from him by those with intimate knowledge of Malcolm’s life and that editing the film down to three hours and twenty-two minutes resulted in a fair amount of footage ending up on the cutting room floor.   Regardless, Lee created a masterpiece of a film.  However, there was far more to Malcolm’s life than what moviegoers saw and some of that information shows his life and the Nation of Islam in a whole new light.

No story about Malcolm is complete without mention of Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975), the former leader of the Nation of Islam.  His influence on Malcolm’s life and their subsequent falling out is covered extensively in the book.  I personally learned new information that I had never anticipated when I started the book.  As to be expected, Malcolm’s time with the Nation of Islam, his marriage to Betty Shabazz (1934-1997) and the creation of Muslim Mosque, Inc. make up large portion of the second half of the book.  And it truly is a story that is surreal at times.  Undoubtedly the book carries a serious tone but there are bright moments in the book, some of which focus on Malcolm’s time outside of the United States. His visits to the Middle East, which helped shape and then change his views are pivotal moments in the book, showing the process of reinvention that he goes through as he matures.

Some of the reviews I read on Amazon were interesting but one in particular caught my attention for its critique of Marable’s discussion of Malcolm’s sexuality in his youth.   I do not believe that Marable tainted Malcolm’s image or was irresponsible in the way that he chose to handle the subject matter. In fact, Bruce Perry also addressed it in his biography of Malcolm and there is a strong possibility that both authors were on the right track.   Marable devotes a very small portion of the book to the subject and I think he made the right decision.  And the overall story is so interesting that I believe most readers will go through the section and quickly move forward to the rest of the book.

One of the book’s major strengths is the author’s willingness to take on even the most sensitive parts of Malcolm’s life.  In fact, there were many things revealed that I am sure the Nation of Islam would have killed to protect years ago.   These events are not only about Malcolm’s life but they also reveal information about figures intimately involved in his life such a Minister Louis Farrakhan, Malcolm’s protege and Ella Little (1914-1996). Interestingly, both figures do not make an appearance in Lee’s film for reasons known to the filmmakers.  Marable does provide some insight and what he reveals might surprise some readers.  Civil rights figures such as Bayard Rustin (1912-1987), Dick Gregory (1932-2017) and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908-1972) are also part of the story and reading Marable’s words made me feel as if I stepped back into time during the tumultuous decade that was the 1960s.   Readers who lived during the era will surely reminisce about a time in American history where fear permeated across the nation and the assassination of political figures was nearly commonplace.

About two-thirds through the book, the stage is set for Malcolm’s tragic end at the Audubon Ballroom.  The tension and outright hostility between him and the NOI had reached a deadly level. Marable highlights the multiple attempts on Malcolm’s life and the escalation in fearmongering that ensued.   The assassination is revisited from start to finish and the author sheds light on a few things that I had previously been unaware of.   It is well-known the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) had been keeping Malcolm under surveillance. The paranoia of J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) was endless and he wasted no time in having his agents open a file for the Bureau’s benefit.  But what is often left out of the discussion regarding Malcolm’s controversial life is the role of the secret Bureau of Special Services and Investigation (“BOSS”), formed by the New York City Police Department.  The roles and actions of these two entities raise new questions about Malcolm’s death that remain unanswered.  Perhaps in the next fifty years, more files will declassified and we may finally know the truth as to what state and federal agencies knew about Malcolm, the Nation of Islam and his murder on February 21, 1965.

The epilogue of the book is equally fascinating, and in it Marable opens a discussion about fundamental differences between Malcolm and other leaders of the times.  Death was a constant threat in his life and he clearly knew that he had been marked for it but refused to live in fear.  Throughout the book, he makes a series of decisions that we can now look at with the hindsight unavailable to him.  At the time, he was following his beliefs and remained dedicated in his goal to spread true Islam to anyone willing to learn.  His faults and transgressions are also on full display, showing us a multi-dimension yet often streamlined person that helped place the Nation of Islam into the national spotlight.  He is revered around the world as a champion of civil rights and a brilliant mind taken from this world far before his time.   There is so much more to his story contained within the pages of this book which is an exceptional work that will cause one to ask, how much do I really know about Malcolm X?  Here is a good place to start.

ASIN: B0046ECJ9Q

Living in the Era of Revolution: The Words of Malcolm X – Dynast Amir

On By Genyc79In Civil Rights MovementLeave a comment

malcolm 2In the United States, the month of February is dedicated to African-American history.  February 21 stands out during the month as the day that el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz better known as Malcolm X (1925-1965) was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York City.  On the radio, the eulogy given by the late Ossie Davis (1917-2005) is played taking us back to Malcolm’s final days on earth.   In 1992, Warner Brothers released Malcolm X, the biopic directed by Spike Lee and starring Oscar winner Denzel Washington in the lead role.  Washington lit up the screen, delivering a performance for the ages.  Davis’ eulogy accompanies the closing scenes and the credits are rightly finished to the sounds of Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ and Arrested Development’s ‘Revolution’.  The film has stood the test of time and is a fitting tribute to Malcolm X’s legacy.  Lee did an incredible job but there was no way he could have included all of Malcolm’s speeches and writings into the final product.  Malcolm was brilliant, not just as an orator but as a critical thinker who presented his arguments in an engaging and articulate manner.  And some of those words can be found in this book by Dynast Amir.

Amir has compiled several selected speeches and combined them will Malcolm’s best quotes on the America in which he lived.  The book is not Amir’s story or a biography of Malcolm.  There are other books that more than serve that purpose such as Alex Haley’s (1921-1992) ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’.  Here, this is Malcolm at full throttle, delivering his messages to those in attendance and the many followers of the Nation of Islam (NOI).  His words are sharp and he does not mince words.  Today, many of us would find his words to be extreme, but it is imperative to remember that the America his lived in is quite different from the one that exist today.  Further, he was reacting to the injustices that occurred regularly against Black Americans and others deemed to be a minority.   The truths are uncomfortable and he forces America to look at itself in the mirror.  Sadly, some of his words are still true to this day but if make it a point to remember them, we can continue to move forward as a nation.

Although I am not a follower of the Islamic faith, I have felt that some of their beliefs about the place in society of Black Americans were correct and no one who reads this book can ever say that Malcolm did not love his people.   I firmly believe that even readers who are not Black American or African can still find truth in his words.  But for those readers, some parts may be hard to get through.  The time period in which these selected speeches come from was the turbulent Civil Rights Movement in the deadly decade that was the 1960s.  In his words, you can feel his passion and anger for the deeply rooted discrimination and injustice in American society.

As a Black American, I understand Malcolm’s view and his words are pertinent to the importance of education for without it, we cannot go anywhere in this world just like he says.  Furthermore, we have an obligation human beings to treat others with dignity, compassion and respect.  However, there was one topic which I have never felt completely comfortable with but I do hot hold Malcolm personally responsible for the belief came directly from the teachings of the NOI.  That teaching is the of the story featuring the scientist named Yakub who is believed to have created the White race.  It would require too much space here to go into detail but the story itself suffers from lack of any credible evidence and could be interpreted as right-wing propaganda. Further, the NOI  has always claimed that W.D. Fard was t in 1934 is one of the several mysteries of the NOI that have never been fully explained.  It is also widely believed that the NOI was directly complicit in Malcolm’s murder.

For all of the stirring rhetoric, call to arms and critical evaluation of America, there are some bright spots in the book with the main one being his pilgrimage to Mecca.  Had he  not taken the trip to Mecca and engaged with Muslims of a different ethnicity,  his beliefs about Caucasian men and women may have never changed.  And at the time of his murder, he was at a turning point in his life as he continued to build the Muslim Mosque, Inc., an organization that could have potentially left the NOI in the shadows.  Sadly, fate intervened in a tragic way and Malcolm was silenced forever.

History will potentially remain divided on Malcolm’s legacy with his followers swearing allegiance and his detractors writing him off as a demagogue.   Regardless of what we may think of him,  we cannot deny his importance in history at the truth in his words.  If you want to learn more about what made Malcolm tick and why he had his beliefs, then read this book by any means necessary.

ASIN: B00MSXXCR0