Page from the original typescript of Alex Haley’s 1963 interview of Malcolm X for Playboy magazine, one page, 8.25 x 10.75, signed in the bottom margin (with a marginal line indicating his approval of the contents), “Malcolm X.” Haley’s historic interview provided for many Americans their first in-depth look at Malcolm X’s teachings and personality, and it remains a document of primary importance in understanding the still-controversial man and his philosophies. This portion of the interview (page 8), relating to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad on race and Christianity, reads, in part: “The white man brainwashed the black man, kept him ignorant of his true history, robbed him of his self confidence…. You can’t separate what has happened to the black man in this country from the black man. You can’t be anti-slavery and pro-slavemaster, or anti-crime and pro-criminal…. In fact, Mr. Muhammad teaches, if the present generation of whites would study their race in the light of their true history, they would be anti-white themselves. And about your Christianity. The black masses that are waking up don’t believe in Christianity anymore. All it’s done for black men is help to keep them slaves. Mr. Muhammad is teaching that Christianity as white people see it means they have their heaven here on earth, but the black man is supposed to catch his hell here. The black man is supposed to keep believing he’ll die and then float up to some city with golden streets and milk and honey on a cloud somewhere….” Matted and framed together with an unsigned photograph and engraved plaque to an overall size of 24.75 x 20.25. In fine, fresh condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA. Oversized.
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