The Socialism of Fools: Antisemitism and Malcolm X, Derrick Bell, and Louis Farrakhan

“Antisemitism is the Socialism of fools.” — Ferdinand Kronawetter

When Malcolm X was a member of the Nation of Islam, he accepted the cult’s antisemitic teachings. In 1963, Forward, a Yiddish newspaper, published this:

When Malcolm X was asked whether the Black Muslims are anti-Semitic, he replied: “Many Jews have guilt feelings when people talk about ‘exploitation.’ This is because they know that they control 90 percent of the businesses in black communities, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. And they benefit more from black buying power than blacks do from other parts of the white community. So they feel guilty about it.” He also complained that Jews can be found on the boards of such organizations as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but, he continued, “the same Jews won’t let you become president of B’nai B’rith, or any of their other organizations.” Although Malcolm X denied that his organization is anti-Semitic, his comments left many wondering if that is genuinely true.

When Malcolm left NOI in 1964, his understanding of power changed. He said,

I totally reject Elijah Muhammad’s racist philosophy, which he has labeled ‘Islam’ only to fool and misuse gullible people as he fooled and…