Signed manuscript, one onionskin page, 8.5 x 11. A portion of a 1964 interview of Malcolm X conducted by Alex Hailey for Playboy magazine. The entire interview was transcribed and sent to Malcolm X to proofread and approve. The page reads, in part, “White people are born devils by nature…If you never put popcorn in a skillet, it would still be popcorn. Put the heat to it, it will pop.” Malcolm X writes next to the line, “Anger the whites, and watch their devil nature pop out.” In his response to a question regarding “all Negroes are good cooks, that they are natural entertainers, that they all can sign and dance,” Malcolm X responds, “Negroes are the best cooks, they have a finer sense of taste than the white man, and a greater sense of music, more feeling for music…A white person dances just like he cooks…no seasoning.” The final question on the page concerns Malcolm’s implication of the superiority of black people, to which he responds, “The truth is that all whites think they are inferior to black people…Anyone who has studied the genetic phase of biology knows that the white is considered recessive and the black is considered dominant. When you ask for black coffee, you want strong coffee. If you say you want it real light, you want it weak.” Signed at the bottom in blue ballpoint, “Malcolm X,” also drawing a line up the left edge. In fine condition. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA. Featured collection item.
