Original subtitles

CORETTA SCOTT KING: Previously on Genius...

MARTIN LUTHER KING III: How about Daddy took on the Klan?

CORETTA: And where the hell did that get him?

His people appeared only in sheets and hoods.

MALCOLM X: I've joined the Nation of Islam,

so has Ella Mae.

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD: I would like to make you

the national representative to the Nation.

MALCOLM X: Absolutely.

Betty, will you marry me?

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: We heard you was looking for us.

MAN: Well, here we are.

DR. KING: We achieved what everyone thought impossible,

but what I think will be best if you go to Atlanta.

Now it's time to take on the world.

(crowd cheers and applauds)

♪ ♪

DR. KING: Yeah. You can see that, right?

♪ ♪

(cheering)

(cheering)

♪ ♪

Yes.

How you doing?

♪ ♪

Thank you all for coming.

There you are.

Thank you for coming.

♪ You know I'm cool 'bout myself ♪

♪ Years have passed and I think for the best ♪

♪ Time goes by and the truths collapse ♪

♪ Even though it's my guy but I got your back ♪

♪ You think you're just... ♪

DR. KING: Well.

♪ All the things you got are gone ♪

♪ Your heart is still in the eye of a storm ♪

RALPH ABERNATHY: You doing okay, Doc?

I can shut this down if you want.

DR. KING: I'm, I'm okay.

A few more won't hurt.

Come on over.

WOMAN: Are you Martin Luther King?

DR. KING: That's what they call me.

WOMAN: Have you been conspiring with the Communist party?

DR. KING: I'm sorry?

(screaming)

WOMAN: You ruined my life!

(crowd screaming)

Martin Luther King and the NAACP are no good!

♪ ♪

OFFICER: We should take it out.

ABERNATHY: No, no! Don't touch it!

If we take it out, we'll kill him.

DR. KING: Everything's gonna be all right.

(heart beating)

ABERNATHY: Martin, stay with me, brother.

(distant shouting)

(camera flash pops)

(camera flash pops)

(exhales)

(child giggling)

DR. KING: Is that Martin I hear?

MARTIN: Ha ha!

DR. KING: Yes, it is.

Good morning, man.

MARTIN: Good morning.

DR. KING: Good morning.

Ready to brush your teeth?

MARTIN: Mm-hmm.

♪ ♪

(chuckles)

DR. KING: Alright.

Nice.

Mmmmmm!

CORETTA: Oh, see now, that's how bad habits start.

Mm-mm. Let me get my son, come on.

Oh, here we go.

Go play over here with your toys.

(exhales)

CORETTA: First day back at work. You nervous?

DR. KING: You know, as much time as Ralph, Stanley and Rustin

spent here in the last few months,

it feels like I already been back.

(chuckles)

CORETTA: Well, the kids are gonna miss you.

It's been nice having you home these past months.

DR. KING: Yeah? Maybe I should get stabbed more often.

Sorry, bad joke.

CORETTA: Getting that phone call

was the worst day of my life, Martin.

If that deranged woman's blade

had been a millimeter to the left,

or if you had even sneezed...

DR. KING: But it wasn't. And I didn't.

And I'm okay.

CORETTA: You promise?

DR. KING: Yes.

But if you need me to do a little something-something

to prove it to you, I can.

(laughs)

CORETTA: Boy, stop, that's how we just got

that mini you over there.

DR. KING: Yeah, well, the next one will be a mini you, then.

And if not that one, then the one after that,

or the one after that.

(laughing)

CORETTA: And when I'm raising this little castle of Kings...

DR. KING: Yes. CORETTA: Where will you be?

DR. KING: Well, I'm gonna be at the French Riviera

with Dorothy Dandridge,

but we'll be sure to send you a postcard or two.

CORETTA: Uh-uh.

(chuckles)

Well, Ralph mentioned you're still low on SCLC staff.

And I'd love to fill in wherever needed.

I can take a break from unpacking

and the kids can go to your parents'.

DR. KING: Yeah. Well, I don't want you to be worried

about getting caught up.

Besides, I'll be home by the time you have dinner ready,

and I'll help you unpack.

CORETTA: Sure thing.

Oh, by the way, Sepia Magazine reached out again to reschedule

their cover shoot they wanted us to do a few months back.

If you're still up for it, I could call them with new times.

DR. KING: Sure. Let me just check my work schedule,

and I'll let you know.

CORETTA: Alright. DR. KING: Alright.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

JOURNALIST: Minister, did you meet with foreign dignitaries

during your travels?

JOURNALIST: What diplomatic efforts

is the Black Muslim movement creating abroad?

MALCOLM X: I express gratitude to the people of Africa

and the Middle East

for providing extraordinary hospitality during my travels.

My time was transformative to say the least.

JOURNALIST: Minister, what are your thoughts

on the stabbing of Dr. King, the leader of Black America?

MALCOLM X: I wish no harm on anyone.

I hope the best for the Doctor,

but it's only an indication of where our country is going

and how it will affect our so-called leaders.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I see my wife.

JOURNALIST: Minister, are you gonna reach out to Dr. King?

OFFICER: Get back. Get back, please.

MAN: Alright, folks, that's it.

BETTY SHABAZZ: I've missed you so much.

MALCOLM X: I missed you more.

You look beautiful.

How are you and our little one holding up?

BETTY: Besides my feet swelling up, we're fine.

Grant's been nice enough

to take us to and from our doctor's appointments.

MALCOLM X: So your boats are swelling.

BETTY: Hmm.

MALCOLM X: I can fix that.

BETTY: Really? How?

MALCOLM X: You know I have hands of magic.

(chuckles)

BETTY: Okay, Houdini.

But first you need to eat,

and when we get home, I want to hear everything about your trip.

MALCOLM X: You'll hear everything, but right now,

someone is waiting for me at the temple.

Grant's going to drop you home

and then take me straight to the office.

It shouldn't take me too long.

BETTY: You just got off a 12-hour flight

and you've already scheduled something?

What about our time?

MALCOLM X: Our time is plentiful, okay?

But this needs to be addressed.

Once done, I'll be home and it'll just be about us.

Now do you want to feel these hands of magic?

♪ ♪

BAYARD RUSTIN: And so the SCLC, in partnership

with AFL-CIO Vice President A. Philip Randolph,

are announcing a massive nonviolent picketing

of the upcoming Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

The recently passed Civil Rights Act of 1960

does not meet our repeated demands

of abolishing second-class citizenship

for Black people in this country.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, and then you wrap up with,

stronger legislative measures are needed,

and these protests will bring our demands

to the doorsteps of both parties.

And now you applaud.

(clapping) Thank you.

MAN: Bravo. Bravo.

DR. KING: Alright, let's change

"does not meet our repeated demands"

to "does not meet our needs."

We don't want our allies feeling like

we've got a gun to their heads.

Stanley, what do you think?

STANLEY: You'll ruffle feathers,

but it's nothing we shouldn't be able to handle.

DR. KING: Ms. Baker, what do you think?

ELLA BAKER: Oh. Well, I really liked the blah, blah, blah part.

Changing laws and bills is necessary,

but in my extensive experience,

the only way real change is made is at the grassroots level,

not standing at a podium or pulpit.

Four Black students from Greensboro, North Carolina,

staged a nonviolent sit-in at a Woolworth's

and successfully desegregated their lunch counter.

This is the kind of actual direct, nonviolent action

we need to support!

RUSTIN: It's only a matter of time

before this reaches Atlanta, huh?

BAKER: It already has.

Students from Black colleges in town have reached out to me.

They're calling a meeting to establish contacts

between the universities,

and they want to know, Martin, will you be there?

DR. KING: Are we sure associating them

with the movement at this unpredictable stage

is a good idea?

It's important that the SCLC be seen as credible,

especially in the eyes of Washington,

if we hope to champion legislation through.

BAKER: Important for the SCLC...or you?

DR. KING: Set the meeting with the students.

In the meantime, Bayard, go ahead and release the statement

and start coordinating the convention protests.

(clears throat)

That's all, everyone.

♪ ♪

(door slams)

LOUIS LOMAX: So, what am I looking at?

MALCOLM X: American propaganda would have us believe

that our brothers and sisters in Africa are barbaric savages

living in huts in the jungle.

But on my travels, I didn't see any jungle,

and I didn't see any mud huts either.

We are beautiful, intelligent and powerful.

But the devil doesn't want you to see that,

because once you do, the lie cannot hold.

LOMAX: So what's your point, Minister?

MALCOLM X: Truth. The truth of who we are.

One of the truths my father told me as a young man

that always stuck with me

is that if they won't give us some land here,

then we can go back home.

LOMAX: That's quite incendiary, Minister.

MALCOLM X: To you, maybe.

And I believe it won't be to our brothers and sisters

in this nation if they simply are exposed to it.

LOMAX: Well, I've been following the Muslim movement

for a few months, and if nothing more,

it could be worth writing up a story.

MALCOLM X: And I've been following you for some time,

Brother Lomax.

You're a fine journalist, so, while appreciated,

I have ideas of something bigger than a writeup.

I've been making small movies of my travels

and screening them at the temples where I lecture.

I see how the images move folks.

A film on television that could help many lost souls.

So far, there's only been one narrative

the so-called Negro in this country has heard,

laid out by Uncle Tom leaders in the South.

I want to offer another one.

The true one.

LOMAX: And what's that?

MALCOLM X: True freedom.

Freedom rooted in pride and dignity within self.

It rests in each one of our souls.

You know, if there's any credit to give

those Southern preachers, it's the way they use the press.

And besides, if I'm being frank,

getting this piece will be the biggest thing for you to date.

LOMAX: Alright. Alright.

Don't ever let anyone tell you you aren't a great salesman.

I've been doing some work with this news anchor, Mike Wallace.

He's been looking for a good story.

But he isn't gonna be interested unless I have full access

to your temples and organization

and your leader, Elijah Muhammad.

Without him, this doesn't work.

MALCOLM X: I'll make it happen.

(thunder)

(knock at door)

DOROTHY COTTON: You okay, Dr. King?

DR. KING: I'm fine. Thank you.

ABERNATHY: Is that pecan pie I smell?

DOROTHY: Indeed it is, though, none of it is for you.

ABERNATHY: Why not?

DOROTHY: Miss Juanita came round yesterday

and said you are on a no-sweets diet until further notice.

ABERNATHY: Well, she ain't the boss of me.

And I'd be careful, Martin, you ain't no Greek god yourself.

DOROTHY: I think you look just fine, Dr. King.

(thunder)

DR. KING: Oh, thank you, Dorothy.

Have a good evening.

ABERNATHY: What is it?

DR. KING: "Democratic Congressman Adam Clayton Powell

denounces the upcoming convention protests

by fellow Negro Reverend King

and claims King is being manipulated behind the scenes

by Bayard Rustin."

Tell me why the hell is Powell doing this?

He's supposed to be one of our biggest allies.

Why is he saying all this?

ABERNATHY: You know Powell, he's always playing an angle.

Whatever he's up to, clearly taking you down

will make him look good to someone.

DR. KING: Yes. Well, I don't have time to engage in all this.

I'm gonna write him a telegram demanding a retraction.

ABERNATHY: Hey.

You doing okay?

You seemed a bit off all day.

Martin.

DR. KING: I'm fine.

Everybody just needs to stop checking on me.

Think I'm gonna head on home.

I'll see you in the morning.

(distant dog barking)

WOMAN: (echoing) Are you Martin Luther King?

(dog barking)

♪ ♪

Are you Martin Luther King?

Have you been conspiring with the Communist party?

You ruined my life!

♪ ♪

(breathing heavily)

♪ ♪

DR. KING: Oh, God.

♪ ♪

CORETTA: Martin?

Wait! We need to lock in a date

for the Sepia Magazine interview.

♪ ♪

(panting)

Martin, if you're not up for it, I can push it off.

It's not that big a deal.

DR. KING: We can wait. Just, just give me a minute.

♪ ♪

(knocks)

BETTY: Hi.

Brought you your favorite.

(chuckles)

Look good, don't it?

MALCOLM X: Thank you. BETTY: Mm-hmm.

MALCOLM X: What do you think?

BETTY: It's good.

This part is especially convincing:

"The broadcast will illuminate millions

of lost so-called Negroes to your message.

The dead will rise across America."

Who is it for?

MALCOLM X: The Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

What?

BETTY: Nothing.

It's just a big ask.

I hope he receives it with warm ears.

You know, Malcolm, this child is due any day.

We really need to consider a new home.

MALCOLM X: The house is fine.

It just needs a fresh coat of paint.

BETTY: The floorboards are coming up,

and the plumbing seldom works.

It needs more than a paint job.

And I would like you home to make sure it happens correctly.

MALCOLM X: That home was gifted to us through donations

from our followers.

We can hire someone to fix the issues,

but there is no necessity to relocate.

BETTY: Oh.

Oh.

MALCOLM X: You okay?

BETTY: The baby, it's, it kicked.

(chuckles)

Active, right?

MALCOLM X: Hmm.

Just like they mama.

Listen, baby, I understand this is all moving so fast.

I do.

But it's moving in the direction we both wanted, right?

BETTY: Yes.

MALCOLM X: Alright, then.

So, let's keep walking our journey together

and keep adding to it, okay?

♪ ♪

I'm inviting the Messenger to dinner

on his next visit to Harlem.

Can you work with some MGTs

to ensure the meal is to his liking?

BETTY: Yes. No problem.

♪ ♪

MALCOLM X: You are right on time.

Are you ready?

LOMAX: Yes.

♪ ♪

♪ Hold on to me ♪

♪ Don't let me go ♪

♪ Who cares what they see? ♪

♪ Who cares what they know? ♪

♪ Your first name is Free ♪

♪ Last name is Dom ♪

♪ We choose to believe ♪

♪ In where we're from ♪

♪ Man's red flower ♪

♪ It's in every living thing ♪

♪ Mind, use your power ♪

♪ Spirit, use your wings ♪

♪ Freedom! ♪

♪ Freedom! ♪

♪ Freedom! ♪

♪ Freedom ♪

♪ When a baby first breathes ♪

♪ When night sees sunrise ♪

♪ When the whale hunts the sea ♪

♪ When man recognizes ♪

♪ Freedom! ♪

MALCOLM X: It's all thanks to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

♪ Freedom! ♪

♪ Freedom ♪

♪ Freedom ♪

♪ Freedom ♪

LOMAX: Thank you, Minister. ♪ Freedom ♪

MALCOLM X: Absolutely.

CLYDE X: What's all this?

MALCOLM X: This is Mr. Louis Lomax.

He's a journalist doing a piece on the Nation for television.

CLYDE X: Television?

Minister, has the Honorable Elijah Muhammad approved this?

MALCOLM X: I'm in the process of securing his approval

any moment now.

LOMAX: Minister, you haven't received approval yet?

MALCOLM X: Like I said, in the process.

LOMAX: I actually, I think we've gotten enough for today.

I'll be in touch with you later.

MALCOLM X: Thank you.

CLYDE X: Listen.

I understand your passion, Brother.

But I've been in this longer than you.

I remember the old heads telling me about Detroit in the '30s,

when our teachings went out to the larger world.

It almost destroyed us.

MALCOLM X: We came back stronger,

and this time, the Nation is controlling the story.

CLYDE X: You have faith that the TV devils will do right by us?

MALCOLM X: Of course not, but I have faith that our Nation

and its message is incorruptible, undeniable.

We can't allow fear to prevent us

from reaching those who need it.

CLYDE X: Those who seek faith shall find it.

MALCOLM X: How are they going to find it

if they don't know where to look?

How are they going to know it if we don't tell them?

I believe once the Messenger sees what this can be,

he will agree to it.

CLYDE X: Well, you're gonna get your chance

sooner than you think.

He just arrived in Harlem today,

and he'll be joining you at your home this evening.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

BETTY: (sighs) Your daddy needs to come fix this house,

or I will lose it.

What do you say, hmm?

No response.

Just like your father.

(knock on door)

Ella Mae.

ELLA MAE: The Honorable Elijah Muhammad is here

earlier than expected.

We need to prepare the dinner for tonight.

BETTY: Uh, tonight?

But the house is a wreck.

I can't host under these conditions.

Thank you for helping me.

ELLA MAE: I'm not here to help you; I'm here to help Malcolm.

(exhales)

JULIAN BOND: Our fight is not against the White man,

but against the corrupt system he built.

STUDENT: Yeah, that's right. STUDENT: Yeah.

BOND: A system our fathers and our fathers' fathers

were unable to destroy.

STUDENTS: Yeah.

BOND: Well, I say let's take a battering ram to that system

one segregated lunch counter at a time!

STUDENTS: Yeah!

(clapping)

ABERNATHY: Alright.

(chuckles)

Mr. Julian Bond, seeing leaders like you

gives us hope for the future.

BOND: We appreciate that, Reverend.

Ms. Baker's taught us that strong people

don't need strong leaders.

She also helped us come up with a name for ourselves:

the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

DR. KING: The SNCC. "Snicc." It has a nice ring to it.

But I want you to know that you have the full support

of the SCLC with you in your struggle.

BOND: Thank you, Dr. King.

We actually wanted to ask

if you would join us in our first scheduled sit-in

at Rich's Department Store?

DR. KING: Well, I don't know.

You managed to do so well without us,

I would hate to be in the way.

BAKER: I'm sure Martin understands just how important

seeing him in action would be to you all.

ABERNATHY: It's something we'll definitely consider.

Uh, meantime, why don't you show me where you train

your fellow students on nonviolent practices?

DR. KING: You knew they were gonna ask that,

and you didn't say anything.

BAKER: Damn right I did.

These kids are risking their lives on the front lines

while you're entertaining the bourgeois club

and the good ol' boys.

You've lost sense of the struggle!

DR. KING: It's a strategy and a necessary legislative one.

Whether we like it or not, the road to real equality

in this country runs through DC.

And I haven't lost sight of anything.

BAKER: Yes. You have.

Because the people you need to connect with

aren't on Pennsylvania Avenue, they're in that room.

Right now, you are the voice of the Civil Rights Movement

to them, but you can't lead from the sidelines.

Soon, they'll find another voice to lead them.

(Dr. King chuckles)

DR. KING: Not everyone has the luxury of being reckless

like you, Ms. Baker.

BAKER: Why are you so afraid of being confrontational, Martin?

DR. KING: Don't tell me anything about being confrontational!

I was attacked!

♪ ♪

While we all appreciate your work

as our interim executive director,

the board has been asking me

about finding a more permanent solution.

I think it's time we do just that.

BAKER: Yes.

♪ ♪

I think it is.

♪ ♪

MUHAMMAD: Oh, Sister Betty, this meal is delightful.

I trust my early arrival didn't cause you too much hassle?

BETTY: No, sir.

It's always a pleasure to have you fellowship with us.

CLYDE X: Don't tell Sister Grace this,

I know how proud she's of hers, but your bean soup is perfect.

BETTY: Oh, please.

Sister Grace taught me everything I know.

MUHAMMAD: It is so beautiful to bear witness

the beginning of your journey.

By virtue of Allah, you are blessed,

to bring new life into this world.

The Black woman is the mother of civilization.

May Allah bless your fruits.

BETTY: Thank you, sir.

I, um, I must admit, it's been challenging for me

to navigate this new path.

We are so grateful for our home.

Uh, however, with the conditions we're under,

bringing a child into this environment,

it will be difficult to maintain.

MALCOLM X: I think what Betty is trying to say

is that we still have some nesting to do

before the baby arrives.

BETTY: No.

What I'm saying is just as it is important

we represent Allah inside the temple,

it is equally important we represent Allah inside our home,

which means ensuring the best temple for worship

and the best home for growing a family.

Wouldn't you agree, Your Honorable One?

MALCOLM X: Betty, could you and Ella Mae please prepare the tea?

♪ ♪

ELLA MAE: Why would you think running off at the mouth

to the Messenger was the solution?

BETTY: Malcolm is so thick-headed about this house.

Everything's breaking.

ELLA MAE: You must understand your role.

Creating conflict for your husband will serve you no good.

Focus on that baby and keeping this house presentable

at the very least.

BETTY: How can I possibly maintain a proper home

when everything's falling apart?

ELLA MAE: You have no idea what he's up against.

He's under immense pressure to make this film a success.

It'd serve you better if you were less needy.

BETTY: So what am I supposed to do?

Stand here and not stand up for my family?

What he doesn't understand is what I'm up against.

And why am I in the wrong for saying what I believe?

ELLA MAE: Your job is to support Malcolm,

not to focus on yourself.

Do that first, and everything else will work itself out.

(tea kettle whistling)

(inhales, exhales)

MUHAMMAD: Brother Malcolm, from your letter,

it sounded like you wanted to propose a project to me,

but after talking to Brother Clyde,

it appears you already started.

MALCOLM X: Sir, I know you're not pleased with my enthusiasm,

but I would at least like to show you

the work that we've captured.

Sir, this is your kingdom.

Black men and women who were lost,

but by the power of your divine teaching, by the grace of Allah,

they have been saved, like I have been saved.

And there can be more of it.

This broadcast will bring our message to a national audience,

and we can dramatically increase followers

and build more temples.

MUHAMMAD: Minister, I must admit,

these images are quite powerful.

CLYDE X: Sir, while I think Minister Malcolm

has a compelling idea,

I fear the Minister is stretching himself thin.

MALCOLM X: Thank you for your concern, Brother,

but I can do it.

I am a national spokesman and used to a packed schedule.

CLYDE X: I beg you, sir, to please consider

the repercussions of allowing our doctrine onto the airwaves.

Exposing our protocols could lead to wicked spirits

entering our temples.

You won't be able to control how the film is edited.

MUHAMMAD: Do you trust this brother you had in your office?

MALCOLM X: Sir, as much as one can trust a person

who is not a believer in Allah.

CLYDE X: A lie don't care who tells it.

All this gallivanting he's doing will not benefit the Nation

if the only thing that comes from it

is we get ambushed by the police again.

MALCOLM X: Sir, while Clyde is right

there will be a subtle backlash,

the benefits are far greater than the risks.

♪ ♪

MUHAMMAD: I will permit it.

But I caution not to fall for any tricknology.

If this reporter betrays us,

there will be grave consequences.

♪ ♪

MALCOLM X: Thank you.

MUHAMMAD: Sister Betty,

thank you for this wonderful meal.

And I hope this will help with any issues

you're having nesting.

BETTY: Oh.

♪ ♪

MUHAMMAD: And when's the baby due?

BETTY: Uh, any day now.

♪ ♪

MUHAMMAD: Inshallah.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

CORETTA: I was going over the plans

for the convention protest, and I think they're really good,

but what do you think about initiating the protests

the night before to build more of a groundswell?

DR. KING: Yeah, I don't know.

CORETTA: Everything okay?

DR. KING: I already told you I'm fine.

CORETTA: You don't look fine.

DR. KING: I said I'm fine!

(doorbell rings)

♪ ♪

Come on in, welcome.

CORETTA: Hello! Welcome to our home.

Come in, come in.

Hi. Hello, hello. Hi.

I'll get the kids.

♪ ♪

(flash bulb popping)

DR. KING: While my call to ministry

is through the desire to serve God and humanity,

unyielding faith guides us through any quarrels.

CORETTA: Well, my role as a wife has been an adjustment.

And then I had to adjust to being a minister's wife,

which is quite the task.

(chuckles)

DR. KING: Many confuse passive resistance with non-resistance.

Fundamentally, it's weak to lay guns in the hands

of desperate men when there's more power in mobilizing.

We must all strive to be ambassadors of human dignity.

As I've personally experienced attacks on my life,

I can attest to God's divine intervention.

CORETTA: Martin has transformed into quite the celebrity.

And while I'm very proud of him, there isn't a second

that I'm not thinking of a way to protect him.

♪ ♪

(distant dog barking)

RUSTIN: So, what was so important

that you needed me to come now?

I'm off to Los Angeles tomorrow for the Democratic Convention.

DR. KING: Well, um...

You need to cancel the convention protests.

RUSTIN: What?

Why?

(scoffs)

This some kind of joke?

DR. KING: No.

Congressman Powell says if I don't cancel the protests

and sever ties with you, he's gonna go to the press

saying that he has evidence that we are sleeping together.

RUSTIN: Well, we know damn well he doesn't,

because it's completely untrue.

Besides the fact that I am totally out of your league.

Do you know why he's doing this?

DR. KING: Power. Influence within the party.

I don't know, and it doesn't matter.

RUSTIN: It does matter!

I've been dealing with this sort of thing

since I was six years old.

I didn't roll over then and I'm not going to start now.

Powell is a bully.

And when a bully threatens you, you don't walk away.

You ball up your fists and you swing

until you can't lift your arms anymore.

Listen, protesting those conventions

is the morally correct thing to do.

What if, what if I resign? Hmm?

Just to get him off our backs.

DR. KING: Maybe that's not a bad idea.

RUSTIN: Oh.

♪ ♪

Okay.

I'll have my resignation letter to you in the morning.

♪ ♪

You know, after everything we've been through together,

I never pegged you for a coward.

♪ ♪

(phone rings)

(whispering) MALCOLM X: Betty, I'm so sorry.

BETTY: It's fine.

It all happened so quick.

MALCOLM X: So the okra recipe worked?

BETTY: Yes.

Attallah was a champion.

Didn't give mommy any troubles.

♪ ♪

MALCOLM X: Beautiful.

Let us pray.

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the merciful,

all praise due to Allah, lord of the world.

Cover us as we embark on this new path as parents.

Shield our baby girl from all.

Ameen.

BETTY: (exhales) Ameen.

♪ ♪

TV ANNOUNCER: Of all the medium-priced cars,

car for car across the board...

MALCOLM X: Excuse me, ma'am.

Would it be possible to get some additional blankets for my wife?

We're just across the hall in 804.

NURSE: Of course, sir. One moment.

MIKE WALLACE: Good evening, I'm Mike Wallace.

Tonight, the study of the rise of Black racism,

of a call for Black supremacy

among a small but growing segment

of the American Negro population.

We'll talk about what can be done about the rising tide

of racism among this segment of the Negro population.

So now, The Hate That Hate Produced.

But of even more interest to New Yorkers is Malcolm X,

the Muslims' New York minister.

He is a remarkable man, a man who, by his own admission,

was once a procurer and dope peddler.

He served time for robbery in the Michigan

and Massachusetts state penitentiaries,

but now he's a changed man, he will not smoke or drink,

he will not even eat in a restaurant

that houses a tavern.

He told Newsbeat that his life changed for him

when the Muslim faith taught him

no longer to be ashamed of being a Black man.

Reporter Louis Lomax asked Minister Malcolm X

to further explain the Muslim teachings of Elijah Muhammad.

LOMAX: Mr. Elijah Muhammad also says, and I quote,

"So-called American Negroes are descendants of Allah."

MALCOLM X: Yes.

LOMAX: Is this your standard teaching?

MALCOLM X: Yes.

He teaches us that the Black man, by nature, is divine.

LOMAX: Now, does that mean that the White man is,

by nature, evil?

MALCOLM X: By nature, he is other than divine.

LOMAX: Well, does it mean he is evil? Can he do good?

MALCOLM X: Well, history is best qualified

to reward all research,

but historically, we have no example of them

collectively as a people doing good.

CORETTA: This man is gonna get people killed.

LOMAX: Dr. Martin Luther King has been a visible...

(phone ringing) ...Baptist leader in this country

since the Montgomery bus boycott.

MALCOLM X: A boycott built on the back of a Black woman,

Sister Rosa Parks.

LOMAX: And you do not agree with his stance on nonviolence?

MALCOLM X: No.

It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself.

LOMAX: Is Martin Luther King the Uncle Tom you refer to?

MALCOLM X: Yes, Martin Luther King is an Uncle Tom.

♪ ♪

DR. KING: Huh.

♪ ♪

(journalists shouting)

MALCOLM X: I've got hundreds of people

stopping me on the streets,

asking if we're preaching hatred towards White people.

Why would you allow them to run with that title?

LOMAX: When we agreed to this, I cautioned you that Wallace

would have final control of the broadcast.

MALCOLM X: You allowed a White man to twist our words.

Even the Uncle Tom preachers down in Georgia

are calling us Black supremacists.

LOMAX: Wallace is the producer.

MALCOLM X: You should have fought

to not derail our message!

LOMAX: Malcolm, you and Mr. Muhammad's words were clear.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

♪ ♪

(clears throat)

ABERNATHY: What are you doing?

Just the other day, you were completely against joining this.

DR. KING: I changed my mind.

ABERNATHY: Changed your mind? Why?

DR. KING: It doesn't matter why.

All that matters is it's my choice.

I don't have to run everything I do by you.

ABERNATHY: As a matter of fact, you do.

It wouldn't just be you crossing that line.

You'd be dragging the entire SCLC

and all the political goodwill we've built up

across that line with you.

This gets out of hand, there's no going back.

DR. KING: Well, if you believe all that,

then why are you even here?

ABERNATHY: Because I don't have to agree with my friend

to stand at his side.

♪ ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ Oh, flame ♪

♪ Ahhh ♪

♪ Mmmmmm ♪

♪ This world ♪

♪ Going up in flames ♪

♪ And nobody wanna take the blame ♪

♪ Don't tell me how to live my life ♪

♪ When you never felt the pain ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

BOND: We'd like to order lunch.

Please.

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ They don't hear me cry ♪

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ They don't hear me try ♪

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ They don't hear me cry ♪

WOMAN: You don't belong!

MAN: You ain't allowed here, boy.

Get up!

Get up, boy! Get up!

MAN: These seats ain't for you!

Nobody wants you here!

♪ They don't hear me cry ♪

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ They don't hear me try ♪

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Don't stomp on that light ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

MAN: Eat it! Eat it!

♪ Oh ♪

MAN: Get up! MAN: Get up!

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ Come on, baby ♪

POLICEMAN: Come on, let's go, we got this. We got this.

POLICEMAN: Let's go. Time to go.

POLICEMAN: Come on. Let's go. Let's go.

POLICEMAN: Time to go. Come on.

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ Gotta make it, baby ♪

POLICEMAN: Let's go. Come on. Let's go!

Come on. Come on.

JUANITA ABERNATHY: Girl,

y'all have really outdone yourselves this time.

Dr. King's girl Friday.

CORETTA: Mm-hmm.

JUANITA: Oh, girl, I'm surprised you got the kids

to sit still for so long. (laughs)

You and Martin just look so...perfect.

(chuckles)

What's wrong?

(phone rings)

(laughs)

CORETTA: Hello.

Stanley?

♪ ♪

Where are they taking them?

♪ ♪

DR. KING: (softly) Lord, I need Your guidance.

♪ ♪

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid of losing my allies...

♪ ♪

...the movement...

♪ ♪

...my life...

♪ ♪

...of earning more enemies.

♪ ♪

God, please see me through.

♪ ♪

CLYDE X: Your car is ready, Your Honorable One.

Brought you some reading material for the road.

It appears Brother Malcolm achieved his goal.

I'll be in the car.

♪ Something bad is 'bout to happen to me ♪

♪ I don't know it, but I feel it coming ♪

♪ Might be so sad, might leave my nose running ♪

♪ I just hope she don't wanna leave me ♪

♪ Don't you give me up, please don't give up ♪

♪ Honey, I belong with you, and only you, baby ♪

♪ Only you, my girl, only you, babe ♪

♪ Only you, darling, only you, babe ♪

♪ Only you, my girl, only you, babe ♪

♪ Only you, darling, only you ♪

♪ Something bad is 'bout to happen to me ♪

♪ Why I feel this way, I don't know, baby ♪

(trumpet fanfare)