The Black Muslims will endure but they will not prevail. Rather, they will linger for years to come and be a constant reminder of what this republic did to thousands who sought its promise. They will integrate this nation’s body politic and make us continually aware of what can happen if white men don’t learn to love before black men learn to hate. And maybe one day before I die we can all join together--black and white and Malcolm X--and say, “_As-Salaam-Alaikum_.” That is to say, peace be unto you. PART TWO _The Prophet’s Voice_ 1. MUHAMMAD AT ATLANTA “_Come and see and hear the most fearless black man in America today; the man who is going to defy the Ku Klux Klan!_” _This is the way the Black Muslims billboarded Elijah Muhammad’s now-famous “Atlanta Speech” of 1961. For when it was announced that Muhammad was to speak in Atlanta, the Klan issued a statement that they, too, would hold a rally and a march on the same day, at the same time. The Black Muslims’ propaganda machinery went into action, and the Atlanta Speech was advertised as a major confrontation between Elijah and the Klan. Something a little different from that is what actually occurred._ _Malcolm X flew into Atlanta several days before the scheduled meeting and began talks with police and other city officials. Malcolm was assured that the police would enforce law and order, that the Black Muslims could proceed with their meeting without fear of trouble from the Klan or anyone else._ _Even so, the Black Muslims took advantage of every opportunity to dramatize their presence and activities. Long before the meeting began members of The Fruit of Islam took up posts on rooftops overlooking the route Muhammad would travel to Magnolia Hall. Even more Fruit cordoned the hall itself. With a seating capacity of only five hundred, the auditorium was jammed hours before the meeting began; another two thousand people lined up along the dirt road leading to the auditorium and heard the speech over loud-speakers. They would have fared just as well had they stayed home since the entire five-hour speech was broadcast over a local Negro-oriented radio station._ _The expectation mounted as word came that Muhammad had landed at the airport; several minutes later it was announced that Muhammad was taking a few moments of ease at the home of the local minister; then word came that The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was en route to the temple._ _The Fruit of Islam formed themselves into a double column that stretched from the platform inside the auditorium, out the front door, down the steps, and across the sidewalk to the curb where Elijah would disembark._