Wednesday, October 15, 1997
Renewed vow to effect change lights path after march in
capitol
MARCH Community’s united effort gives voice to specific
deficiencies
The Million Man March was the largest march in history. On Oct.
16, 1996, over 1 million men gathered in front of the state capitol
for atonement and a renewed commitment to build the next
civilization. The march itself was more on a spiritual level than
on a religious or even political one. Once understood from that
perspective, the true nature and impact of the march can be
seen.
Since the Million Man March, the African American community has
been abuzz with grassroots activity. Many organizations have sprung
up to address the specific deficiencies within the community, and
some of the local organizing committees have stayed intact.
We have seen a drastic reduction in crime, a jump in African
American-owned businesses and an equalization of the number of
African American students graduating high school in comparison to
whites. These are trends that benefit the entire American
society.
While a combination of factors are responsible for these
changes, it is clear that the Million Man March must be factored
into the equation for a truthful interpretation of what is going
on.
When crime was up we saw a steady stream of the "evil" African
American males from the news agencies, movies and politicians. Now
that crime is on the decrease, we are not seeing the picture of
African Americans rebuilding their communities. Instead we get the
picture of the same police crackdown and tougher laws that have
failed for years as the source of improvement.
The march has deep significance to most of those who
participated on the individual level. I know at least 10 African
Americans who have applied their pledge to their community in a
personal way. Each is on a private march toward improvement.
Whether it is starting a business, excelling in education or just
being a better family member, the Million Man March participants
have taken the idea to the micro level. If only 10 percent of those
who attended or watched the march were affected in this way, the
impact is phenomenal.
So why hasn’t more attention been paid to the real significance
of the Million Man March? Because of its originator, Louis
Farrakhan. Farrakhan is a phenomenon that can be easily
misunderstood. Most of the time, he and his organization are taken
out of their historical context.
The Nation of Islam (NOI) was organized in an environment of
Nazi-like white supremacy within American borders and at a time
when most African Americans weren’t afforded a decent education.
Elijah Mohammed was trying to explain Islam, the devious nature of
white supremacy and world history to a people who were illiterate
by law. He took the one metaphor they understood, white supremacist
Christianity, turned it on its head and used it to liberate the
people it had enslaved. Of course, this tactic has become
outdated.
There is plenty of evidence that the NOI is moving toward a more
traditional, non-racial interpretation of Islam. I was stunned to
hear Farrakhan say in a recent interview that there will come a day
when whites would be able to join the NOI.
But, this should not be as surprising since he is an astute
observer of African American political thought. Being such, he
understands that race is a collective figment of our imaginations.
However, he also understands that whites will not let go of their
racial identities, so his organization must remain in a defensive
posture against attack.
The Million Man March was many things to many people, but it was
not a protest. I think it was more of acceptance that if things
were going to change in the African American community it would
change because of African American initiative. It has been proven
that whites don’t have the patience, energy or even ability to
amend the incalculable damage their ancestors collectively
inflicted on African Americans. This is an important realization
that takes away a lot of the anger on both sides. The sooner all
African Americans come to this understanding, the better off
America will be.
Because of historical circumstance, African Americans must be
the ones who articulate the new vision of a post-racial world. They
are and have been the vanguard of American social progress for
years. They are the ones with the motive for change. The Million
Man March was the first step in taking on this responsibility. And
so the march continues.