Still another change of NOI emphasis resulted from the steadily rising influence of the present-day Negro civil rights movement. This caused an increase of open NOI denunciation of other Negro civil rights organizations and the Negro Christian ministers who support them. Negro leaders of the civil rights groups are called by the Muslims "the blind leading the blind" and "puppets of the white slave masters." Negro Christian ministers are called "parasites living on the blood of their poor Black brothers," "tools of the white man," and "educated Uncle Toms."
An alliance between the NOI and the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) now and then has been rumored in the press. Again, a connection was reported following the rally in New York City on February 16, 1965, when the deposed Malcolm X charged that there was a conspiracy between these organizations that was "not in the best interest of black people." Malcolm's angry charge came just two days after his home had been damaged by fire bombs which he claimed were thrown on the orders of Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm's charge of a conspiracy is not borne out by the facts. The NOI and KKK are mutually antagonistic on the race issue. The only aim they hold in common is complete separation of the races. Malcolm himself unproductively negotiated with KKK leaders in January, 1961, for land where the NOI could set up its own businesses, commerce, and government. On another occasion several months later, the minister of the Atlanta Temple
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