25 yrs after Million Man March – millions more protest
In this Oct. 16, 1995 fi le photo, a video screen shows Nation
of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan speaking during the Million
Man March at the Mall in Washington. The Capitol is seen in
the background. Two decades later, the march Farrakhan
organized, which drew hundreds of thousands to Washington,
remains a cultural touchstone. Associated Press / Steve
Caribbean Life, October 23-29, 2020 11
One quarter of a century
after Muslim Minister Louis
Farrakhan mobilized Black
males for a Million Man March
to discuss discrimination in
America, systemic racism
remains a challenge however,
now a global protest movement
against white supremacy has
amplified the call for solutions
to correct America’s hypocrisy
of being the land of the free.
The Oct. 16, 1995 convergence
on the National Mall in
Washington D.C. assembled a
national exodus of Blacks in
cars, buses, trains, and planes
to respond to a call for community
action in solving problems
ignored by government.
In the district acclaimed for
being the seat of government,
the Muslim leader spoke for
more than two hours on the
topic of white supremacy.
He called for Black self-reliance,
admonishing of dysfunctional
politicians and implored
Black men to first atone for
the wrongs committed against
Black women while focusing
squarely on tackling issues
related to police brutality and
ending discrimination in the
inner cities.
Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse
Jackson, Civil Rights activist
Rosa Parks, Martin Luther
King Jr., activist Dick Gregory
and a plethora of social and
political activists echoed and
punctuated his message.
An unprecedented number
of celebrities, professionals,
politicians and ordinary citizens
present listened as each
speaker offered ideas that could
reform the Black community.
The crowd included influencers
record company mogul
Russell Simmons, rappers
Snoop Dogg, Sean P-Diddy
Combs, singer/songwriter/
activist Stevie Wonder and a
myriad of alleged well-intentioned
citizens.
In the midst of the crowd
from Chicago, citizen Barack
Obama.
Of his experience of the daylong
event he reportedly told
the Chicago Reader afterward:
“What I saw was a powerful
demonstration of an impulse
and need for African American
men to come together to recognize
each other and affirm our
rightful place in the society.”
Twelve years later Obama
was elected president of the
United States and the first of
his race to rule the nation.
Although women were not
the target audience, many
ignored formality of an invitation
to join the gender
trender.
Poet Maya Angelou, singer
Melba Moore, and Malcolm
X’s widow Dr. Betty Shabazz
addressed the crowd.
Native Americans showed
up too.
Some wore traditional tribal
clothing distinguishing themselves
yet showing solidarity
with the historic cause.
A few erected teepees on the
National Mall to display pointed,
white, canvas structures
near the Reflecting Pool.
And on that bright and
sunny day, this Insider pooled
reports to inform numerous
publications in England, the
Ivory Coast, Jamaica, radio,
magazines and newspapers in
the network of Black media.
The Amtrak train I rode
from Penn Station departed on
schedule at midnight.
In a packed coach, I found
a seat amidst all ages of Black
men I feared would question
my intention of travelling as
an uninvited guest to an event
that specifically summoned
one million men.
Outfitted in military garb, a
tiny flag of Jamaica accentuated
my fashion statement.
Catch You On The Inside!
Helber/ File
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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