It was a revolutionary statement, announcing his emancipation from the prescribed role for “Negro” athletes. In a shockingly radical declaration that amounted to a manifesto, he said that he was neither a “Negro”, a Christian, nor an advocate of racial integration. He was black, a Muslim, and a separatist.22
SHORTLY AFTER THE press conference ended, Rudy Clay and Sam Saxon arrived together at the Chicago Coliseum for the Saviours’ Day Convention. About two thirty, the celebration began with Louis X, Malcolm’s replacement as master of ceremonies, introducing a procession of speakers honoring Elijah Muhammad. Rudy was not an impressive orator nor was he considered an important figure in the Nation, but on this day—the day after his brother became heavyweight champion of the world—he found himself center stage, standing at the podium just a few feet away from Elijah. “Cassius sends the greetings of As-Salaam Alaikum to all his Brothers and Sisters at Saviours’ Day,” Rudy announced. “He said he’d like to thank each and every one for the prayers they have said for his success in winning the heavyweight title.”23
Rudy’s speech was part of Elijah Muhammad’s carefully orchestrated plan. Placing Clay’s brother on the dais, surrounded by the Nation’s officials, conveyed a clear message: Malcolm believed that he and Cassius shared a brotherhood, but Elijah intended to make Cassius and Rudy feel like they were part of the royal family. Muhammad reminded the five thousand followers in attendance, “I have been given the keys to your salvation and I can send you to either [heaven or hell].” When he announced that Cassius belonged to the Nation of Islam, the crowd roared with cheers and applause. Elijah beamed with pride. “I’m so glad that Cassius Clay admits he is a Muslim.”24
Before the fight, Muhammad had made no public announcement supporting Cassius. He had believed what most boxing experts believed: Liston would not only defeat Clay, he would pummel him. No one from Muhammad Speaks was sent to Miami to cover the fight. The last thing Elijah wanted was for the Nation to be disgraced by a follower laid out on his back. When Malcolm first asked Muhammad for permission to attend the fight in Miami, the Messenger answered, “Yes, [but] if you do go, it will be as a private person. You will not in any way be representing us, because it’s impossible for Cassius Clay to win.”25
The day after Clay won, Muhammad confessed something that no one had heard from him before. The deaf, dumb, and blind “wanted [Cassius] to get his face torn up, but Allah and myself said, ‘No!’” Then he delivered a message meant for Malcolm: “Clay had confidence in Allah and in me as his only messenger.” His faith in Allah and his inspiration from Muhammad—not Malcolm—“assured his victory and left him unscarred.”26
AROUND EIGHT O’CLOCK the next morning, Malcolm met Cassius for breakfast at the Hampton House, where they read Muhammad’s announcement in the papers. Cassius had become a pawn in a power struggle between Malcolm and Elijah, and the Supreme Minister had just made a bold move. Now it was Malcolm’s turn. He realized that he had to do something to lure Cassius; he had to offer him something that Muhammad could not.27
Time, Malcolm realized, was running out. Elijah would not wait much longer before he made another move. At that moment, Robert Lipsyte observed, Malcolm “understood that he had not really, totally” reached Clay. When he finished reading Muhammad’s statement, he folded the paper and tossed it onto the counter, knowing that he had to keep one eye on Cassius and the other on Elijah.28
Seeing Cassius talk with Malcolm made reporters ask the new champion if Muhammad’s statement about his membership in the Nation was accurate. “That is true, and I am proud of it,” he answered. “But what’s all the commotion about?” The commotion was all about the country’s fears—fears of a religion most Americans knew little about; fears that the Muslims were a black menace lurking in the shadows; fears that Elijah Muhammad intended to lead a violent uprising; and fears that Cassius Clay was the bogeyman in the closet.29