◆ SpookStack

eae ween em ae am ree eegene it te ieee eee ar ee nna . oniee ~~ — ’ the eo — oo All of the conventions, bazaars, rallies, and “feasts” are utilised 4 by Muhammad not only to raise funds, but alao to attract public siteaton to ” the NOI and to enhance his personal appeal to the uneducated masses of Negro people. . During July, 1960, Muhammad became very much concerned over many recent accusations appearing in the public press, both Negro and white, stating the NOI was a "Black Ku Klux Klan.” In his attempt to placate the press and obtain more "favorable publicity," Muhammad announced a new policy of allowing white persons to be admitted to public NOI rallies. This new policy, however, still did not permit white persons to enter the regular, routine temple meetings. The first “open” rally held at the Chicago Coliseum on July 24, as one member of the press reported, was attended by only “a mere handful” of white persons. The following week at New York City, Muhammad spoke at another “open” rally which was attended by only "about ten white persons. The apparent fact that Muhammad's early efforte with his new policy have not measurably improved his popularity with the press is shown by one reporter's concluding statement: “sensing that the messenger of Allsh, who had been speaking for an hour, was just