Sunday, October 16, 2022

Reflections on the Million Man March

 “From the Nation of Islam who initiated the Million Man March (MMM), to other Black male leaders and Black men in general, there was no deep-seated commitment to concretizing the principles of the MMM. Thus over the past 27 years the momentum declined year after year that today’s younger generation of Black men don’t even know the March ever took place!” - CNK

*I authored the following article Oct 16, 1996
A One Year Review: Has The Million Man March Lost Its Meaning?
It has been a year now since the historic Million Man March taking place on October 16, 1995. About two million Black men converged on Washington, D. C. to participate in the Day of Atonement.
That day in D.C. established a date in our history that we would annually observe as a time of reflection, to focus on the themes of reconciliation and responsibility.
I believe the meaning of the historic day that the Million Man March took place, and the perilous juncture that Black men face in particular and we as a people in general was not fully grasped by Black communities across this country.
The meaning of the March became secondary to so many euphoric Black men who were satisfied with just being at the March. During the convergence process of the Million Man March, there was a unity of purpose of Black men that resulted in the March being a success.
However, once Black men returned to their oppressed communities, they were confronted with the stark reality that it is much more difficult to organize our people to solve the problems of apathy and socioeconomic degradation, than it is to mobilize a convergence of two million Black men.
The post-Million Man March period should be an ongoing reflection and questioning of its meaning to Black men.
*Were the pledges we made empty promises?
*Are we more concerned about our oppression?
*In this span, have we been constantly atoning by being self-critical and self-correcting?
*Have we settled disputes, overcome conflicts, and put aside petty grudges that thwart our efforts to maintain operational unity?
*Did we become dependable and accountable to our obligations and duties in the community?
Without the full meaning of the March and the conditions confronting us, most Black men would have to say ‘no’ to the above questions of principles.
If we understood the meaning of the March, we would remember and be inspired daily by those brave Black men Ancestors who genuinely marched for freedom before us. Embracing the meaning of the March would keep us awakened, because many of us are still sleeping through a racist backlash.
Most importantly, fully knowing the meaning of the Million Man March would cause us to be committed. Unless Black men are dedicated to ongoing struggle, we will always lack follow through and be unable to overcome challenges.
As Black men, we face tremendous daily challenges; we face the difficulty of trying to save young adult Black males like Tupac, who are being murdered by each other every day; while many others are victims of racist police brutality and murder.
When we go out into our communities and face the hard task of confronting self-destructive young Black males who sell drugs and gang-bang; our task is compounded by the CIA and others funneling them drugs and guns.
These tremendous challenges will overwhelm all Black men who are not fully committed. Allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed only perpetuates a self-fulfilling prophecy of pessimism that Black men cannot follow-through when it counts.
As Black men reflecting on the first anniversary of the Million Man March, I’m reminded of a meaningful statement made by Brother Omowale Ankobia that puts our mission of responsibility into perspective, he stated:
“We must be our salvation, nobody but us can change the destructive conditions under which we live. Furthermore that’s the way it should be. We shouldn’t want it any other way. If we are too sorry to save ourselves, we are not worthy of saving.”
Black men who understand the real meaning of the Million Man March must make a daily affirmation pledge from the a verse of the Black National Anthem: “Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won.”

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