Source: Les Payne. The Dead Are Arising - The Life of Malcolm X (2020)
The menial jobs Malcolm thought he left behind in Lansing caught up with him in Boston, in that after being a soda jerk, he was a busboy at a busy hotel. Malcolm’s intent was to use the day job as a smokescreen for this nighttime follies, but Ella wasn’t fooled or amused. Malcolm showed up late for work on a Sunday, expecting to be fired, but the day was 7 December 1941 (Pearl Harbor). Despite his wannabe adult posturing, Malcolm was only 16 years old, so in 1942 he was too young to be drafted, and soon enough he discovered that the draft greatly increased his job opportunities.
Malcolm got a job on the New Haven Railroad, mostly because Ella succeeded in passing him off as 21 years old. Ella hoped that the railroad position would keep Malcolm away from nighttime shenanigans and the losers with which he hung around. The job opened new horizons for Malcolm, in that he was able to visit NYC, especially Harlem. Malcolm eventually moved up to a dishwasher on the Colonial Run to DC, which only reinforced his desire to make his permanent home NYC. Malcolm was temporarily assigned as a sandwich seller on the four hour Yankee Clipper run to Grand Central in NYC, which included a stay-over every other day. Malcolm wanted the job to become permanent, so he played the role of “Nice Negro” to white passengers, imitating the Hollywood stereotypical depictions of African-Americans. Malcolm was hypnotized and addicted to Harlem at first sight. Malcolm (a.k.a. “Sandwich Red”) easily secured his permanent job, and focused his attention on learning all he could about Harlem.
Malcolm got a job on the New Haven Railroad, mostly because Ella succeeded in passing him off as 21 years old. Ella hoped that the railroad position would keep Malcolm away from nighttime shenanigans and the losers with which he hung around. The job opened new horizons for Malcolm, in that he was able to visit NYC, especially Harlem. Malcolm eventually moved up to a dishwasher on the Colonial Run to DC, which only reinforced his desire to make his permanent home NYC. Malcolm was temporarily assigned as a sandwich seller on the four hour Yankee Clipper run to Grand Central in NYC, which included a stay-over every other day. Malcolm wanted the job to become permanent, so he played the role of “Nice Negro” to white passengers, imitating the Hollywood stereotypical depictions of African-Americans. Malcolm was hypnotized and addicted to Harlem at first sight. Malcolm (a.k.a. “Sandwich Red”) easily secured his permanent job, and focused his attention on learning all he could about Harlem.
According to the 1910 Census, the percentage of African-Americans that lived in Harlem was about 10%. The Great Migration dramatically changed the demographics of NYC, in that beforehand, 98% of the city was white (counting European immigration, of course). By the time Malcolm arrived in Harlem, the “Harlem Renaissance” had dimmed, but jazz remained an incredible scene. Malcolm (in his zoot suit) became a regular fixture uptown in such locations as the Apollo. Throughout WW II, Malcolm alternated between NYC and Boston, sneaking away to Michigan when his situation in either city got “hot”; Malcolm had escaped death many times in his various guises (e.g. pimp, petty thief, drug dealer). To Malcolm, Harlem was “Seventh Heaven”, and he tuned in far more to the shady side of the streets than its virtues.
Malcolm had become a top-notch con artist by the early-1940s, using his charisma for criminal purposes, or to steal a girl away from a so-called buddy. Malcolm, despite being a light-skinned African-American, remained ostracized from “Negro Society”, but that started to ease up somewhat when he started to squire a white girl by the name of Beatrice (who was a daredevil in her own way, deciding to hang out with Malcolm). Doors started to open for Malcolm when he was seen with Beatrice, who was a daughter from a respectable restaurant owner (who was able to afford a Cadillac). The doors that were open for him were opened by African-Americans that worked in the establishments Malcolm and Beatrice frequented in Roxbury, including, of course, illicit establishments.
Once again Malcolm couldn’t help ruining a good thing, since he had worked his wa to the brink of being fired in his railroad job. The amount of complaints registered against him by white passengers reached the point where his last white protector decided Malcolm wasn’t worth the trouble, and he was fired in the Fall of 1942. At around that time, the draft age was lowered to 18 (from 21), and Malcolm was 17 years old at that point. Malcolm became a student of learning what could keep him from being drafted in terms of ruses he could use to be declared morally, physically, or mentally unfit to be drafted.
Malcolm had become a top-notch con artist by the early-1940s, using his charisma for criminal purposes, or to steal a girl away from a so-called buddy. Malcolm, despite being a light-skinned African-American, remained ostracized from “Negro Society”, but that started to ease up somewhat when he started to squire a white girl by the name of Beatrice (who was a daredevil in her own way, deciding to hang out with Malcolm). Doors started to open for Malcolm when he was seen with Beatrice, who was a daughter from a respectable restaurant owner (who was able to afford a Cadillac). The doors that were open for him were opened by African-Americans that worked in the establishments Malcolm and Beatrice frequented in Roxbury, including, of course, illicit establishments.
Once again Malcolm couldn’t help ruining a good thing, since he had worked his wa to the brink of being fired in his railroad job. The amount of complaints registered against him by white passengers reached the point where his last white protector decided Malcolm wasn’t worth the trouble, and he was fired in the Fall of 1942. At around that time, the draft age was lowered to 18 (from 21), and Malcolm was 17 years old at that point. Malcolm became a student of learning what could keep him from being drafted in terms of ruses he could use to be declared morally, physically, or mentally unfit to be drafted.
Despite being fired, Malcolm still possessed a valid free travel train pass which he used to go to Michigan. When Malcolm arrived in Lansing, his family and “friends” were shocked at the appearance of “Harlem Red” in his zoot suit, conked hair, and attitude. In many ways, Malcolm was accidentally reinforcing the negative Hollywood stereotypes of African-Americans to Lansing’s African-American and white populations. Malcolm was even asked for his autograph, which he signed “Harlem Red”.
Due to the lack of manpower due to WW II, Malcolm got another job in the railroad industry sweeping out passenger cars and distributing pillows on the Silver Meteor, which ran from NYC to Florida. Soon enough, Malcolm was again fired, but he wound up getting a job waiting tables in a nightclub called Smalls Paradise in Harlem. Malcolm was so thrilled and excited with the opportunity that he played it straight with the demanding rules-oriented boss. However, Malcolm picked up illicit conversations galore, and in the process he learned about the numbers racket.
Malcolm’s participation in the numbers racket started as a player, where he gambled away his tip money. The winning number was initially calculated from the last three digits of the NYC Stock Market totals. Soon enough, the number would be the last three numbers of what was bet at the major race tracks, with people winning with odds as high as 600:1. In effect, the numbers racket was an illegal lottery, which generated millions of dollars, which required a system network to operate in Harlem. One of the best-known numbers racket operators was Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and a lesser-known operator, West Indian Archie, would eventually cross paths with Malcolm. At the same time, Malcolm came to admire the lone operator cat burglars (known as a “Jumpsteady”), who operated from the rooftops. Malcolm concluded that for an African-American to survive in Harlem, it would have to be through illegal and illicit means.
Due to the lack of manpower due to WW II, Malcolm got another job in the railroad industry sweeping out passenger cars and distributing pillows on the Silver Meteor, which ran from NYC to Florida. Soon enough, Malcolm was again fired, but he wound up getting a job waiting tables in a nightclub called Smalls Paradise in Harlem. Malcolm was so thrilled and excited with the opportunity that he played it straight with the demanding rules-oriented boss. However, Malcolm picked up illicit conversations galore, and in the process he learned about the numbers racket.
Malcolm’s participation in the numbers racket started as a player, where he gambled away his tip money. The winning number was initially calculated from the last three digits of the NYC Stock Market totals. Soon enough, the number would be the last three numbers of what was bet at the major race tracks, with people winning with odds as high as 600:1. In effect, the numbers racket was an illegal lottery, which generated millions of dollars, which required a system network to operate in Harlem. One of the best-known numbers racket operators was Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and a lesser-known operator, West Indian Archie, would eventually cross paths with Malcolm. At the same time, Malcolm came to admire the lone operator cat burglars (known as a “Jumpsteady”), who operated from the rooftops. Malcolm concluded that for an African-American to survive in Harlem, it would have to be through illegal and illicit means.
As a waiter, Malcolm was hellbent on hearing-and-learning all he could about the numbers racket as well as street life in Harlem. In 1943, Malcolm would turn 18, and he would be required to register for the draft. The Selective Service had already sent Malcolm a conscription letter to his old address in Boston. At Smalls Paradise, employees were told to leave men in uniform alone, meaning no shenanigans. Malcolm couldn’t resist though, and he decided to provide “services” to an African-American soldier, who was actually working undercover for the police. Malcolm was taken to the police station to be “scared-straight”, and then he was released; on his return to Smalls Paradise, he was fired on the spot by the owner, as well as being banned from the premises.
Malcolm alternated between menial jobs and illegal actions, including selling marijuana to jazz bands. Due his criminal ventures, Malcolm’s cash flow increased, and during the day he went to the movies, and at night he conned and hustled. Malcolm got a job waiting tables at a low-end after hours eatery, and it was there he was dubbed “Detroit Red” to keep his straight from a co-worker, John Sanford, who was not above engaging in illicit activities as well (but not nearly to Malcolm’s level). Sanford’s goal was to become a stand-up comedian, and he eventually achieved that goal, using the stage name Redd Foxx (in his early days, he worked with another struggling comedian, “Slappy” White).
Malcolm wanted no part of the Army or WW II, refusing to serve whites and a nation that had rejected him. However, he still had no choice but to report to the draft board, which he did two weeks after he turned 18. Seven weeks later he as classified as 1A and told to report for a physical at an induction center. On that day, Malcolm chose to act mentally unfit, wearing a zoot suit and using his con-man skills to the fullest, which resulted in a 4F rejection notice on 25 October 1943, which declared him mentally unqualified.
Malcolm alternated between menial jobs and illegal actions, including selling marijuana to jazz bands. Due his criminal ventures, Malcolm’s cash flow increased, and during the day he went to the movies, and at night he conned and hustled. Malcolm got a job waiting tables at a low-end after hours eatery, and it was there he was dubbed “Detroit Red” to keep his straight from a co-worker, John Sanford, who was not above engaging in illicit activities as well (but not nearly to Malcolm’s level). Sanford’s goal was to become a stand-up comedian, and he eventually achieved that goal, using the stage name Redd Foxx (in his early days, he worked with another struggling comedian, “Slappy” White).
Malcolm wanted no part of the Army or WW II, refusing to serve whites and a nation that had rejected him. However, he still had no choice but to report to the draft board, which he did two weeks after he turned 18. Seven weeks later he as classified as 1A and told to report for a physical at an induction center. On that day, Malcolm chose to act mentally unfit, wearing a zoot suit and using his con-man skills to the fullest, which resulted in a 4F rejection notice on 25 October 1943, which declared him mentally unqualified.
Banned from Smalls Paradise and the New Haven Railroad, Malcolm increased his dangerous hustles on the streets, and finding ways to get arrested in Lansing. Malcolm increased his cocaine use and his participation in the numbers racket and started to seriously spiral downwards. In early-1945, West Indian Archie paid Malcolm $300 for a bet that Malcolm claimed to place (except that he hadn’t). West Indian Archie had a prodigious memory, like Malcolm, and soon enough he found that Malcolm’s claim was bogus. An armed West Indian Archie found Malcolm and pointed a handgun at his head, telling him that he had until the next day to pay back the $300.
Others in addition to West Indian Archie were looking for Malcolm as well, and one of his criminal buddies called Jarvis and asked him to get Malcolm out of NYC. When Jarvis showed up in his Buick Roadmaster, Malcolm had no trouble getting in the car and getting out of Dodge. In a bizarre way, Malcolm’s travels matched that of his father, in that they both had to keep finding different places to live due to factors in play. The difference was that Malcolm’s decision-making was far more destructive and self-inflicted that anything Earl had done. Malcolm had been chased out of his “Seventh Heaven”, and it was 100% his own doing.
Back in Boston, Malcolm existed in an exhausted exile. The only revenue stream Malcolm now had was drug money from an Armenian-American “girlfriend”, which in part paid for his three pack a day cigarette habit. This “girlfriend”, who ironically was also named Beatrice, was actually married to a wealthy man, which led Malcolm to demand more money. Malcolm verbally and physically abused her, but she loved being around a “Bad Boy”, cheating on her husband (Malcolm hated white men, and he used white women). Malcolm was still in Boston on V-E Day (“Victory in Europe” Day) at the age of 19.
Others in addition to West Indian Archie were looking for Malcolm as well, and one of his criminal buddies called Jarvis and asked him to get Malcolm out of NYC. When Jarvis showed up in his Buick Roadmaster, Malcolm had no trouble getting in the car and getting out of Dodge. In a bizarre way, Malcolm’s travels matched that of his father, in that they both had to keep finding different places to live due to factors in play. The difference was that Malcolm’s decision-making was far more destructive and self-inflicted that anything Earl had done. Malcolm had been chased out of his “Seventh Heaven”, and it was 100% his own doing.
Back in Boston, Malcolm existed in an exhausted exile. The only revenue stream Malcolm now had was drug money from an Armenian-American “girlfriend”, which in part paid for his three pack a day cigarette habit. This “girlfriend”, who ironically was also named Beatrice, was actually married to a wealthy man, which led Malcolm to demand more money. Malcolm verbally and physically abused her, but she loved being around a “Bad Boy”, cheating on her husband (Malcolm hated white men, and he used white women). Malcolm was still in Boston on V-E Day (“Victory in Europe” Day) at the age of 19.
Malcolm had enough money via Beatrice to head back up to NYC for visits, connecting with his old contacts and making new ones. Malcolm felt that he needed to “back up” his reputation in Boston, but all that did was to attract the wrong kind of attention. Word soon spread among the Boston police precincts that Malcolm was dangerous and heavily armed.
After WW II, the job market tightened up, limiting his legal opportunities, and Malcolm increased his criminal activities, going so far as to organize a burglary ring, with Jarvis was a willing participant. Malcolm made it clear that he was the leader of the ring, and he recruited a handful of African-American men, one of them had contacts in the world of catering to the wealthy in Boston. Also in the ring were three Armenian girls who worked in the catering world, and the served as “finders” for the wealthy homes that were to be burgled. The girls were in it for the thrills, but for the men in the ring, the purpose was to fund their lifestyles.
The burglaries started in December 1945, and soon over a dozen burglaries in Boston’s suburbs were carried out by Malcolm’s ring. Always desperate for fast cash, Malcolm skipped using a fence and went straight to a pawn shop with a stolen watch that needed to be repaired (which had been reported stolen). When Malcolm showed up to get the repaired watch, three policemen were waiting for him. Malcolm’s arrest was actually a life-saver, since Beatrice’s husband had gone to where Malcolm was staying armed with a gun, intent to finally deal with the vagabond that who was with his wife.
After WW II, the job market tightened up, limiting his legal opportunities, and Malcolm increased his criminal activities, going so far as to organize a burglary ring, with Jarvis was a willing participant. Malcolm made it clear that he was the leader of the ring, and he recruited a handful of African-American men, one of them had contacts in the world of catering to the wealthy in Boston. Also in the ring were three Armenian girls who worked in the catering world, and the served as “finders” for the wealthy homes that were to be burgled. The girls were in it for the thrills, but for the men in the ring, the purpose was to fund their lifestyles.
The burglaries started in December 1945, and soon over a dozen burglaries in Boston’s suburbs were carried out by Malcolm’s ring. Always desperate for fast cash, Malcolm skipped using a fence and went straight to a pawn shop with a stolen watch that needed to be repaired (which had been reported stolen). When Malcolm showed up to get the repaired watch, three policemen were waiting for him. Malcolm’s arrest was actually a life-saver, since Beatrice’s husband had gone to where Malcolm was staying armed with a gun, intent to finally deal with the vagabond that who was with his wife.