Claire Thompson
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Following the assassination, reporters asked Malcolm X for a comment, to which he replied, [He] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon. This statement, which likened Kennedy's assassination to a boomerang effect of his own wrongdoing, caused backlash and was twisted by some to justify Malcolm X's own assassination 15 months later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 November 1963 |
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| People involved | John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad |
| Organisations | Nation of Islam |
| Quote | " [He] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon." |
| Interpretation | The wrongs committed by an individual or political entity will have a boomerang effect and come back to punish the wrongdoer. |
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What You'll Learn
Malcolm X's views on Kennedy's assassination
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The news of the assassination shocked the nation, with many people openly weeping and gathering in public places to watch the television coverage.
Malcolm X, a leader of the Nation of Islam, a black separatist organisation, commented on the assassination of President Kennedy, characterising it as an instance of "the chickens coming home to roost". This phrase is often attributed to Malcolm X and refers to the idea that the wrongs committed by an individual will have a similar negative impact on the individual themselves.
Malcolm X clarified his statement, saying:
> Being an old farm boy myself, chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad; they've always made me glad.
He also accused Kennedy of “twiddling his thumbs" at the killing of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu.
Malcolm X's comments were met with backlash, with some interpreting them as justifying Kennedy's assassination. The spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, publicly disavowed Malcolm X and banned him from public speaking. This incident exposed Malcolm X to the jealousies and resentments of Nation of Islam officials, leading to his assassination 15 months later.
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The context of Malcolm X's statement
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The news of his death shocked the nation, with many people openly weeping and gathering in public places to watch the television coverage.
However, there were some hostile reactions to Kennedy's assassination, particularly in the South, where Kennedy was not popular because of his stance on civil rights. Some people even expressed joy at his death. For instance, President of the Memphis Citizens Council, Richard Ely, told the Nashville White Citizens Council that "Kennedy died a tyrant's death" because he "encouraged integration, which has the support of communism".
Similarly, Malcolm X, a leading member of the Nation of Islam, a black separatist organisation, responded to a reporter's question about Kennedy's assassination by saying:
> "[He] never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon. Being an old farm boy myself, chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad; they've always made me glad."
Malcolm X's statement was greeted with "loud applause and laughter" from the all-black audience. However, it also sparked backlash, and he later clarified his statement on air.
The phrase "the chickens are coming home to roost" is often attributed to Malcolm X and is interpreted to mean that the wrongs committed by an individual or political entity will have a boomerang effect, coming back to punish the wrongdoer. In this context, Malcolm X seemed to imply that Kennedy's assassination was a consequence of his actions, such as his perceived inaction at the killing of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, or his role in the abortive CIA-sponsored invasion of Cuba in 1961, for which he was called "Bay of Pigs Kennedy".
Malcolm X's comment about "chickens coming home to roost" had significant repercussions. Elijah Muhammad, the spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam, suspended Malcolm X for insubordination, and the bitter split that resulted ultimately led to Malcolm X's assassination 15 months later.
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The impact of Malcolm X's statement
Firstly, it caused a bitter split between Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam (NOI), of which he was a leading member. The spiritual leader of the NOI, Elijah Muhammad, had explicitly instructed his officials not to comment on the tragedy. However, Malcolm X's statement went directly against this directive, resulting in his suspension from the organisation. This exposed him to the resentment of NOI officials and ultimately led to his assassination just 15 months later.
Secondly, the statement caused widespread backlash and controversy. While some members of the black community expressed joy at Kennedy's death due to his unpopular civil rights stance, many prominent black figures of the time expressed sadness and concern. Malcolm X's statement was not well-received by the public at large, and several editorial writers and columnists in the US and England even twisted his words to justify his eventual assassination.
Thirdly, the statement brought attention to the issue of racial tensions and the civil rights struggle in the US. Kennedy's assassination highlighted the stark divide between those who supported his civil rights efforts and those who opposed them. Malcolm X's statement, and the subsequent backlash, served as a reminder of the ongoing battle for racial equality and the complexities of race relations in America at that time.
Lastly, the impact of the statement extended beyond the immediate aftermath of Kennedy's assassination. It has become a part of the historical narrative surrounding Kennedy's death and the broader context of racial politics in the US. The phrase "the chickens coming home to roost" has been used to describe the idea that wrongs committed by an individual or political entity will have consequences, with Kennedy's assassination being seen as a result of his own actions or inactions in certain instances, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and the killing of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem.
Overall, the impact of Malcolm X's statement was profound and multifaceted, shaping not only the course of his own life but also the public discourse surrounding Kennedy's assassination and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.
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Reactions to Malcolm X's statement
The statement made by Malcolm X, referring to President Kennedy's assassination as a case of "the chickens coming home to roost", received a mixed response.
Malcolm X's comments were met with "loud applause and laughter" from the all-black audience at the Manhattan Center, according to the New York Times. One audience member told a reporter that they applauded Malcolm X's remarks because he "had the nerve to say it".
However, his statement was also met with backlash and was not well-received by everyone. Following the backlash, Malcolm X clarified his statement on air. The statement also had consequences for Malcolm X's position within the Nation of Islam, with its leader, Elijah Muhammad, publicly disavowing him and banning him from public speaking. Several editorial writers and columnists in the US and England also twisted his words to justify his assassination.
The assassination of President Kennedy shocked the nation, with many people openly weeping. The news caused the television audience to double within 40 minutes of the first report, and by the early evening, 70% of people were watching TV. The three major US television networks suspended their regular schedules and switched to all-news coverage from November 22 to November 26, 1963, being on air for 70 hours.
There were also hostile reactions to Kennedy's death from far-right elements, particularly in the South, where he was unpopular due to his position on civil rights. Some schools in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and suburbs of Dallas celebrated his death.
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The broader implications of Malcolm X's statement
Firstly, the statement underscores the fraught relationship between the Black community and the Kennedy administration. While President Kennedy was generally viewed favourably by Civil Rights leaders for his support of civil rights, there was also criticism of his response to various incidents, including the murders of civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers and the Birmingham church bombing that killed four young Black girls. Malcolm X's statement, therefore, reflects a sentiment among some Black Americans that Kennedy's inaction or inadequate action on civil rights had consequences, and his assassination was a form of karmic justice.
Secondly, the broader implications of Malcolm X's statement speak to the larger issue of imperialism and foreign policy. Kennedy was considered responsible for the failed CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba in 1961, which resulted in a major foreign policy embarrassment for the United States. Additionally, Kennedy was criticised for his response to the killing of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother. By invoking the phrase "chickens coming home to roost," Malcolm X is suggesting that Kennedy's foreign policy decisions, particularly those that resulted in violence and instability, had consequences that ultimately contributed to his own demise.
Thirdly, the statement and its implications contributed to a shift in Malcolm X's own standing within the Nation of Islam (NOI) and his public image. His statement was met with backlash, and Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the NOI, publicly disavowed him and banned him from public speaking. This incident marked a turning point in Malcolm X's relationship with the NOI and set in motion a series of events that ultimately led to his assassination.
Finally, the broader implications of Malcolm X's statement extend beyond the context of Kennedy's assassination and resonate in subsequent years. The phrase "the chickens are coming home to roost" has been used to describe various events, including the January 6 attempted coup at the Capitol. It serves as a reminder that wrongs committed by political entities can have boomerang effects, leading to consequences that echo through history.
In conclusion, Malcolm X's statement carries significant weight and illuminates the racial and political landscape of the time, while also resonating in contemporary discussions around justice, accountability, and the complex interplay of politics and violence.
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Frequently asked questions
Malcolm X said that President Kennedy "never foresaw that the chickens would come home to roost so soon".
Malcolm X meant that Kennedy's inaction on civil rights and his foreign policy decisions would have consequences.
The statement was poorly received by the public and the press. Malcolm X was suspended by the Nation of Islam's spiritual leader, Elijah Muhammad.
No, he clarified his statement on air but did not apologise for it.
Yes, Malcolm X criticised Kennedy's inaction on civil rights and foreign policy decisions, including the murder of Congo leader Patrice Lumumba and civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
