"A frequent rumor among non-Muslims was 'Malcolm X is making a pile of money.' All Muslims at least knew better than that. Me making money? The F.B.I. and the C.I.A. and the I.R.S. all combined can't turn up a thing I got, beyond a car to drive and a seven-room house to live in."
"(And by now the Nation of Islam is jealously and greedily trying to take away even that house.) I had access to money. Yes! Elijah Muhammad would authorize for me any amount that I asked for."
"But he knew, as every Muslim official knew, that every nickel and dime I ever got was used to promote the Nation of Islam. My attitude toward money generated the only domestic quarrel that I have ever had with my beloved wife Betty."
"As our children increased in number, so did Betty's hints to me that I should put away something for our family. But I refused, and finally we had this argument. I put my foot
down."
down."
"I knew I had in Betty a wife who would sacrifice her life for me if such an occasion ever presented itself to her, but still I told her that too many organizations had been destroyed by leaders who tried to benefit personally, often goaded into it by their wives."
"We nearly broke up over this argument. I finally convinced Betty that if anything ever happened to me, the Nation of
Islam would take care of her for the rest of her life, and of our children until they were grown. I could never have been a bigger fool!"
Islam would take care of her for the rest of her life, and of our children until they were grown. I could never have been a bigger fool!"
• • •
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