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had no illusions about violence, although he did make that mistake of the comment after the Kennedy assassination that the chickens had come home to roost. What he meant by that was that a nation cannot tolerate violence in one area without it spilling over into other areas. If violence against blacks is tolerated, it means there will be violence against others.

Of course, wasn't another reason for non-violent position a pragmatic one? The other side had the guns.

Oh yes. He said that the only victims of violence would blacks. They had no capacity to deal with it.

Now, after he made that “chickens have come home to roost” remark Elijah Muhammad drummed him out. Was it your impression that that was just an excuse, that he was on his way out anyway?

Sure. I don't think there's any question about it. There was jealousy and competition within the Muslims, because certainly the most prominent member of their cult was Malcolm. Elijah Muhammad's sons were upset about that. This was a good excuse. They didn't even give him an opportunity to explain; nor did they attempt to explain. He was drummed out all right.

There was a conviction of those charged with his assassination. Some years later there was, if I recall correctly, there was a lengthy piece in the New York Times Magazine questioning whether they