“All praise due to Allah,” the people shouted back.
“What is good news for the sheep,” Malcolm continued, “is bad news for the wolf!”
“Make it plain, Mr. Minister. Make it plain.”
The good news, as everybody knew, was that Elijah would be there soon with a message of freedom for the “sheep” (the black man) and a message of destruction for the “wolf” (the white man).
The setting for local meetings is much the same. In New York Minister Henry X gets the crowd ready for Malcolm by saying, “We are here to receive a blessing. The truth is going to be told here this afternoon.”
“All praises due to Allah.”
“The Messenger’s Minister will be here shortly with word from the man who saw God.”
“Make it plain.”
“The Minister is going to tell you who and what you are!”
“Say the word.”