ALS signed “As Salaam Alaikum, Malcolm X. Little,” four pages, 8.5 x 11, September 27, 1950. Letter to "Commissioner MacDowell," written while housed at Charlestown State Prison after he was removed from the Norfolk Prison Colony. In full: "In the Name of Allah, the True and Living God, the Master of this Great Day of Judgment, Who has Stepped down here into hell and has cried the Unity of Islam to His long lost Black Children…….and in the Name of His Holy Apostle, whom He has raised up, to be Our Light on this Last Day, the Honorable Elijah Mohammed: As Salaam Alaikum. Commissioner MacDowell: Inmates who have clean records here at Charlestown are selected by the Norfolk board and, in accord with their good behavior, they are transferred to Norfolk. That is, they are accepted, if they desire to be transferred there.
They remain at Norfolk for as long as their behavior is in accord with the regulations which govern that institution. Therefore, it is safely assumed that any inmate who is transferred from Norfolk, against his will, has broken the regulations set forth by that institution. If the inmate has broken no rules, but is transferred anyway, it is usually at the request of that inmate. If these humble deductions on my part are wrong, please feel free to correct me.
Now then, I was at Norfolk for two years. The place gave me the opportunity to orientate my mind. It was there that Allah raised me from the grave, and taught me to walk upright, by placing me on a Level wherein today I could never break the laws that caused my initial arrest. Yet, I was sent away from Norfolk. Why? On what grounds? Which rule did I break? And if I broke some rules, why was I not locked up?
Someone is responsible for an injustice. During my two years at Norfolk I was never locked up; which, in itself, should prove that all of my deeds were in accord with the regulations of that institution. In fact, during my five years in prison, I have not spent a single day in 'solitary'; my record will bore out the fact that I have lost no 'good time'….so, I certainly could not have broken any rules, anywhere, nor at any time. Why, then, was I transferred?
An examination of the record will show that I never went contrary to a single custom at Norfolk, without first obtaining the consent of the superintendent. And, the only extent to which I went in that direction, was the growing of a very scanty beard. No other rule, at any time, was broken by me. So, what wrong had I done? What law had I broken?
I had withdrawn from all of the prison's activities, because I knew my personal concept of life was contrary to 'popular conceptions,' and having no desire to express my own views, I endeavored to avoid the contacts of others. I sought Peace, always. My time was spent alone in my room. The things which I loved to discuss were spoken only to those whose interest was great enough to bring them to my room. I certainly didn't force myself on anyone….and the 'capitulary' there did its job well, for they kept all of the inmates away from me. I had begun to be treated as a leper.
However, I could blame no one for that, as each one was only doing his duty. Could I blame the wall, that keeps me in prison, for fulfilling the purpose for which it was originally built? No, not without also blaming the Builder. The Creator is responsible for all that is created, so I will let Him judge His creatures. My heart is without malice. Besides, those whom Allah wills to hear The Truth, it will be heard by them despite all measures taken to the contrary. I only pray that I not slip myself and fall back into the Pit. This is the Day when every man must bear his own burden. Are you bearing yours on the Square?
You are well aware, I'm certain, that this 'present world' is existing only on Borrowed Time. But still the wicked have not enough fore sight to repent and make amends, by giving Justice to all. All that is sown Today shall be reaped Today. Do justly now, for the Time will soon be when you will be seeking the same Justice. Allah is the Final Judge. Can you not see that His Day is here?
By all that is Right, Square, and Just, I should still be in Norfolk. If I am wrong, please show me my mistake. Let your own Conscience be your Guide, ad may the Will of Allah be done…….sine mora quod Tempus est brevissimum [without delay because time is short]." In very good to fine condition, with staple holes and short edge tears to each page, and a light drinking glass stain to the first page.
Malcolm Little was found guilty of larceny and breaking and entering in 1946, and began serving his eight-to-ten year sentence at Charlestown State Prison in February. He made efforts to reform and educate himself while there, and with his sister Ella began a letter-writing campaign in hopes of getting transferred to the Norfolk Prison Colony (today known as MCI-Norfolk)—it offered broader educational opportunities that did not exist in Charlestown. He ultimately found success, and was transferred to Norfolk on March 31, 1948. In The Autobiography of Malcolm X, he described the colony as 'comparatively, a heaven, in many respects,' observing: 'Norfolk Prison Colony represented the most enlightened form of prison that I have ever heard of. In place of the atmosphere of malicious gossip, perversion, grafting, hateful guards, there was more relative ‘culture,’ as ‘culture’ is interpreted in prisons. A high percentage of the Norfolk Prison Colony inmates went in for ‘intellectual’ things, group discussions, debates, and such.' He joined the weekly debate team, where he honed his oratorical skill, and devoted much of his time to studying in the prison library. Most importantly, it was during this time that Malcolm discovered the Nation of Islam. It seems that he began to question authority after becoming involved with the Nation of Islam, and was shipped back to Charlestown State Prison for being 'undesirable'—but given no specific reasoning, thus his lengthy inquiry in the present letter.
Two years later in August 1952, after seven years served, Malcolm Little left prison as Malcolm X, a devout member of the Nation of Islam and a committed disciple and pupil of Elijah Muhammad. This remarkable letter, signed with a rare version of his name during an important period of transition, reveals his rhetorical skill and thought processes during his time in prison—the crucible that formed him into the outspoken leader that he would become.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
