The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley

(Amelia) #1

I had learned early one important thing, and that was to always teach in terms that the people
could understand. Also, where the Nationalists whom we had "fished" were almost all men,
among the storefront Christians, a heavy preponderance were women, and I had the sense to
offer something special for them. "Beautiful black woman! The Honorable Elijah Muhammad
teaches us that the black man is going around saying he wants respect; well, the black man
never will get anybody's respect until he first learns to respect his own women! The black man
needs today to stand up and throw off the weaknesses imposed upon him by the slavemaster
white man! The black man needs to start today to shelter and protect and respect his black
women!"
One hundred percent would stand up without hesitation when I said, "How many believe what
they have heard?" But still never more than an agonizing few would stand up when I invited, "Will
those stand who want to follow The Honorable Elijah Muhammad?"


I knew that our strict moral code and discipline was what repelled them most. I fired at this point,
at the reason for our code. "The white man wants black men to stay immoral, unclean and
ignorant. As long as we stay in these conditions we will keep on begging him and he will control
us. We never can win freedom and justice and equality until we are doing something for
ourselves!"


The code, of course, had to be explained to any who were tentatively interested in becoming
Muslims. And the word got around in their little storefronts quickly, which is why they would come
to hear me, yet wouldn't join Mr. Muhammad. Any fornication was absolutely forbidden in the
Nation of Islam. Any eating of the filthy pork, or other injurious or unhealthful foods; any use of
tobacco, alcohol, or narcotics. No Muslim who followed Elijah Muhammad could dance, gamble,
date, attend movies, or sports, or take long vacations from work. Muslims slept no more than
health required. Any domestic quarreling, any discourtesy, especially to women, was not allowed.
No lying or stealing, and no insubordination to civil authority, except on the grounds of religious
obligation.


Our moral laws were policed by our Fruit of Islam-able, dedicated, and trained Muslim men.
Infractions resulted in suspension by Mr. Muhammad, or isolation for various periods, or even
expulsion for the worst offenses "from the only group that really cares about you."




Temple Seven grew somewhat with each meeting. It just grew too slowly to suit me. During the
weekdays, I traveled by bus and train. I taught each Wednesday at Philadelphia's Temple Twelve.
I went to Springfield, Massachusetts, to try to start a new temple. A temple which Mr. Muhammad
numbered Thirteen was established there with the help of Brother Osborne, who had first heard
of Islam from me in prison. A lady visiting a Springfield meeting asked if I'd come to Hartford,
where she lived; she specified the next Thursday and said she would assemble some friends.
And I was right there.


Thursday is traditionally domestic servants' day off. This sister had in her housing project
apartment about fifteen of the maids, cooks, chauffeurs and house men who worked for the
Hartford-area white people. You've heard that saying, "No man is a hero to his valet." Well, those
Negroes who waited on wealthy whites hand and foot opened their eyes quicker than most
Negroes. And when they went "fishing" enough among more servants, and other black people in
and around Hartford, Mr. Muhammad before long was able to assign a Hartford temple the
number Fourteen. And every Thursday I scheduled my teaching there.


Mr. Muhammad, when I went to see him in Chicago, had to chastise me on some point during
nearly every visit. I just couldn't keep from showing in some manner that with his ministers
equipped with the power of his message, I felt the Nation should go much faster. His patience and
his wisdom in chastising me would always humble me from head to foot. He said, one time, that
no true leader burdened his followers with a greater load than they could carry, and no true leader

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