"Detroit Red"

The Prison Years and
Early Ministry: 1946-55

The Nation of Islam:
1955-1960

The National Spokesman:
1960-1962

Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement

The Silencing, Muhammad Ali and Out: Dec. 1963 - April 1964

The Epiphany of Mecca

African Sojourner, 1964

1965: The Final Months

February 21, 1965:
The Assassination and Aftermath

MULTIMEDIA

INTERVIEWS
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Robin KelleyRobin Kelley on Malcolm's moral dilemma in the Nation of Islam

Max StanfordMax Stanford on Malcolm's break with the Nation of Islam

Stanford on Malcolm's reaction to the break

Peter BaileyPeter Bailey on the woman involved with Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad

Ossie DavisOssie Davis gives his opinion Malcolm's reason for leaving the NOI

Davis on Malcolm's attitude after the break

Herman FergusonHerman Ferguson on Malcolm's comments on the Kennedy assassination

Ferguson on Malcolm's disagreement with NOI policies

Abdul Abdur-RaazaqAbdullah Abdur-Raazaq on Malcolm's silencing

Abdur-Raazaq on Malcolm's obedience to Elijah Muhammad

Abdur-Raazaq on turmoil within Elijah Muhammad's family

The Silencing, Muhammad Ali, and Out: December, 1963 – April 1964.

In March, 1964, Malcolm X announced publicly his break from the NOI. He soon created two new organizations, the Muslim Mosque, Inc., designed for former NOI members as a spiritually-based group, and the secular-oriented Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

ADDITIONAL READINGS:
  • Richard Turner, Islam in the African-American Experience, pp. 174-214.
  • Goerge Plimpton, “Miami Notebook: Cassius Clay and Malcolm X,” Harper’s Magazine (June 1964), pp. 54-61.
  • George Breitman, ed., Malcolm X Speaks, “Introduction,” “The Split,” “The Transition Period,” and “Radicalism,” pp. 7-50.
  • Malcolm X, “His Best Credentials: On the Air with Joe Rainey” (March 20, 1964), in Gallen, ed., Malcolm X: As They Knew Him, pp. 155-66.
  • “Malcolm X Scores U.S. and Kennedy,” New York Times, December 2, 1963, p. 21. download
  • Apple, “Malcolm X Silenced for Remarks on Assassination of Kennedy,” New York Times, December 5, 1963, p. 22. download
  • “Malcolm Expected to be Replaced,” New York Times, December 6, 1963, p. 27. download
  • “Elijah Suspends Malcolm,” Amsterdam News, December 7, 1963, pp. 1-2. download
  • “May Mean Policy Change: Muzzling of Malcolm X For Indefinite Period,” Pittsburgh Courier, December 14, 1963, p. 1. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • “Nation Still Mourns Death,” Muhammad Speaks, December 20, 1963, pp. 1, 3. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • “Cassius Clay Almost Says He’s a Muslim,” Amsterdam News, January 25, 1964, pp. 1-2. download
  • “Malcolm X In Florida,” Amsterdam News, January 25, 1964, p. 1.
  • “Bar Malcolm X From Muslims’ Chi Convention,” Amsterdam News, February 15, 1964, pp. 1-2. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • “Malcolm X ‘Comeback’ in March,” Amsterdam News, February 22, 1964, pp. 1-2. download
  • Muhammad, “Regrets of the Doubters,” Muhammad Speaks, February 28, 1964, pp. 1, 8. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • Matthews, “The ‘Greatest One’ Pays A Visit to the Amsterdam News,” Amsterdam News, March 7, 1964, p. 1, 2. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • Handler, “Malcolm X Splits with Muhammad,” New York Times, March 9, 1964, pp. 1, 42. download
  • Handler, “Malcolm X Sees Rise in Violence,” New York Times, March 13, 1964, p. 20. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • Photo of MX, Elder Michaux, and Muhammad Ali, Amsterdam News, March 14, 1964, p. 50. download
  • Cartoon of MX, “In the Middle,” Amsterdam News, March 14, 1964, p. 12. download
  • “’Why I Quit and What I Plan Next’,” Amsterdam News, March 14, 1964, pp. 1, 51. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • “Telegram to Muhammad,” Amsterdam News, March 14, 1964, pp. 1, 51.
  • “To Start ‘Action’ Program: Malcolm X Remains Muslim, Pushes Economic Freedom,” Pittsburgh Courier, March 14, 1964, p. 1. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • Powledge, “Negroes Ponder Malcolm’s Move,” New York Times, March 15, 1964, p. 46. download
  • Crawford, “The Ominous Malcolm X Exits from the Muslims,” Life, March 20, 1964, pp. 40-40A. download pt 1 | download pt 2
  • “Malcolm X Tells of Death Threat,” Amsterdam News, March 21, 1964, p. 50. download
  • “Clay Drops Malcolm X,” Pittsburgh Courier, March 21, 1964, p. 1. download
  • “1,000 in Harlem Cheer Malcolm X,” New York Times, March 23, 1964, p. 18. download
  • “Malcolm’s Brand X,” Newsweek, March 23, 1964, p. 32. download
  • Samuels, “Feud Within the Black Muslims,” New York Times, March 22, 1964, pp. 17, 104-05.
    download pt 1
    download pt 2
    download pt 3
    download pt 4
    download pt 5
    download pt 6
  • Todd, “MX Explains His Rifle Statement,” Amsterdam News, March 28, 1964, p. 35. download
  • Murrain, “Angry at Filibuster in Senate,” Pittsburgh Courier, March 28, 1964, p. 1. download
  • “Malcolm X Plans Muslim Crusade,” New York Times, April 3, 1964, p. 23. download
  • Malcolm Murder Plot Denied by Muslims,” Pittsburgh Courier, April 4, 1964, p. 1. download
  • “MX Ignores Brother,” Amsterdam News, April 4, 1964, pp. 1-2. download
  • Minister James, “Obey Divine Messengers, Find Life of Truth,” Muhammad Speaks, April 10, 1964, pp. 1, 3, 9. download
  • “Malcolm Exposed by His Brother,” Muhammad Speaks, April 10, 1964, pp. 3-4. download pt 1 | downloadpt 2 | downloadpt 3
  • “Organize Rifle Club in Ohio: Malcolm X On the Scene,” Amsterdam News, April 11, 1964, pp. 1-2. download pt 1 | downloadpt 2


  • The Malcolm X Project at Columbia University home