I'm not sure if he ever officially walked that back... But Malcolm evolved, and in some ways softened his positions over time - particularly after his trip to Mecca, and the falling-out with the NOI and (the honorable) Elijah Muhammad.
Before his death he actually managed to come to a fairly good working relationship, if not a complete agreement with Dr. King. And King, to his credit, became a bit more radical and insistent - after Malcolm's murder - and before his own, at the hands of some of the same forces.
Where once he had allies everywhere - after coming-out against the Vietnam war, and for the poor peoples' campaign - King was virtually being ostracized, by both the mainstream of white liberal society - and much of the Civil Rights movement.
I was lucky enough to interview one of Malcolm's closest friends and lieutenants - Earl Grant, while on KPFK. I was also blessed to receive a donation and acknowledgement of my program by the Honorable Dr. Betty Shabazz - Malcolm's widow. Those were both highlights of my time in radio.
