Chapter 7 Summary

As a hustler, robber and drug dealer, Malcolm had many close brushes with the law. He and Sammy committed some burglaries together, and Malcolm stayed high on a variety of narcotics to keep from feeling nervous and worried all the time. He began running numbers and had regular contact with West Indian Archie. At this time, he also began working with a local madam. By this time, Harlem had lost much of its nightlife, with most whites now afraid to go into Harlem. Nevertheless, the underground nightlife continued. Malcolm's role for the madam was to meet white people downtown and escort them into Harlem, where they could meet up with black prostitutes. Malcolm noticed that most of these men were older, influential members of the white society.

Malcolm was twice questioned on local robberies because the description of the robber closely matched his...