Separation from the Nation Of Islam.

Disassociation from the Nation Of Isalm

Within the faction of the Nation Of Islam there was a rising tension between the newcomer, Malcolm X, and the elder statesman, Elijah Muhammad that would ultimately lead to the disassociation of Malcolm X from the Nation Of Islam. 

The first sign of this tension was during 1961 confrontations between the Los Angeles Police department and members of the Nation Of Islam. Many Nation Of Islam members were arrested, but later acquitted. These tensions spilled over into 1962, and in April of that year, officers of the LAPD stormed Temple Number 27 and randomly assaulted members of the Nation Of Islam. A Korean War veteran by the name of Ronald Stokes was fatally short, even after surrendering. A lot of Muslims were prosecuted, but zero charges were brought agains the LAPD. 

Malcolm saw this as wrongdoing, racist, and discrimination that needed to be addressed with direct action. He implemented the use of his more hardened New York members to carry out this action. Louis Farrakhan (who became the leader of the Nation Of Islam later on) described Malcolm using tactics from his "Gangsterlike past" to address such issues. 

Elijah Muhammad did not support Malcolm's strong willed approach to the LAPD, nor did he support  Malcolm's critique of the Nation Of Islam opening communications with local black politicians, religious groups, and Civil rights organizations. Elijah Muhammad stated "...you don't go to war over a provocation." an he insinuated the other organizations would eventually turn to the Nation Of Islam in time. 

Malcolm's relationship with Elijah Muhammad soured farther when rumors began to circulate that Elijah was involved in extramarital affairs, which was a MAJOR violation of Nation Of Islam teachings, with young secretaries of his organization. Malcolm did not believe the rumors at first, but after consulting Elijah's son, Wallace, and the victims themselves his beliefs changed. In 1963 Elijah finally admitted to the allegations, but tried to defend them by justifying his actions as precedents set forth by biblical prophets.

Elijah with his wife;

Another nail in the coffin for Malcolm and Elijah's relationship happened on December 1963. With the assassination of President John F. Kennedy fresh in everyones mind, Malcolm made a bold and uncensored comment that the incident was a case of "chickens coming home to roost" that "chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad; they've always made me glad." Following these strong comments, the New York Times publicized an article stating "in further criticism of Mr Kennedy, the Muslim leader cited the murders of Patrice Lumumba, Congo leader, of Medgar Evers, civil rights leader, and of the Negro girls bombed earlier this year in a Birmingham church. These he said, were instances of other 'chickens coming home to roost'." 

These comments were contrary to the immage the Nation Of Islam wanted to portray, as the had forwarded a message of condolence to the Kennedy family. The had also ordered their ministers to abstain from commenting. 

As punishment for directly going against the orders set forth by The Nation Of Islam, they publicly censored Malcolm for his comments by prohibiting him from speaking publicly from 90 days.

 

As temperatures between the two leaders grew, Elijah Muhammad’s jealousy of Malcolm also grew. It was obvious who the media preferred, who had the personality that gained the attentions of the broadcasting moguls, publishers, and public. 

Elijah’s most loyal followers saw Malcolm as a threat to his leadership of the Nation Of Islam. This threat was greatly exaggerated when the book “When the Word is Given”, a book focused on the Nation Of Islam written by Louis Lomax was released and a photo of Malcolm X was used on the cover. Adding to Elijah’s envy, the author used only one of his speeches, yet used five of Malcolm’s.

On March 8th 1964, Malcolm stated he wanted to establish a black nationalist organization that would “heighten the political consciousness” of African-Americans while working with other civil rights leaders, which he had inhibited from doing under the leadership of Muhammad. Malcolm commented that because of the inherent rigidity of the Nation Of Islam’s teaching practices, it had “gone as far as it can” and publicly announced his separation from the Nation Of Islam.

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     the-truth-about-honorable-elijah.html

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