By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All:
Twenty-six years ago, Minister Louis Farrakhan called for the gathering of 1 Million Black men to come together on the lawn of the White House in Washington, DC to stand together peacefully and demand justice and their rights as Black Men in America.
I was in the Mosque in New York City, sitting with all the women on one side of the room while all the men sat on the other. He declared the date, the time, and the purpose. The place was packed with Black men and women from New York, many of whom were not members of the Nation of Islam, but who, like myself, were ardent admirers and followers of Farrakhan. There was a quiet hush, at first, as he made the announcement. Then the audience broke out into applauds, cheers and raised fists in the symbol of BLACK POWER.
As a feature writer, journalist, and Black woman, being in the presence of so many Black men of courage and purpose, it was a thrilling moment - and I was determined to be there to cover the event and lend whatever assistance I could. This was a fantastic moment in Black History, and I was thanking GOD for putting me there at such a wonderful time to be a witness/participant.
The question we all had as we left the event was whether or not Farrakhan could pull it off. We were skeptical - it was a daring claim - to bring together 1 Million Black men, when you were hard pressed to get two men in the same room to do something positive.
I remember seeing sporadic vendors handing out flyers, here and there, in Harlem. I gradually began to notice more and more people passing up flyers, approaching African American men on the street, at church, at meetings. The momentum slowly began to build, until you began to see posters, and then hear more and more advocacy and speeches about it at the mosques and other centers.
The conversation then began to turn to whether or not Farrakhan could bring it off - after all, 1995 was not exactly brimming over with love for Black people, let alone Black men. And sadly, Black men weren't exactly the shining example of Black solidarity and progress when it came to positive things.
Brother/Friend, Dr. Ben Chavis, was working with Min. Farrakhan in coordinating the worldwide movement of Black men to Washington, DC, undertaking logistics of monumental proportions. He had enlisted the assistance of his Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, to coordinate security, schedules, agenda, and other details to ensure the smooth execution of this gargantuan task. While there were things he could not tell me, because of confidentiality; what he did tell me was awe inspiring. The dedication on the part of Minister Farrakhan, the NOI and FOI as well as rank and file Brothers who rose to the occasion to bring things together is legendary.
The closer I got to October 16, 1995, the more excited I became. My late cousin, Sheryl was living in the DC - I made arrangements to drop my stuff off with her so I could have the best vantage point for videoing and taping, I could get. And boy did I have it - front and center on the press riser, with a direct view of the front steps of the White House less than 3 hundred yards away.
When I got there at 7:00AM, there were a hand full of Black men - AND BLACK WOMEN - scattered sporadically across the lawn - and my heart sank. It would be truly embarrassing if Farrakhan called for 1 Million Black Men, and only 500 or 5000 showed up. My fellow journalists and photographers, who had likewise arrived early, thought the same thing. Serene music was playing to set a tranquil atmosphere, and the call to prayer could be heard across the lawn: ALLAH U AKBAR!
The sun was just beginning to come up. I had come prepared with juice, water, Diet Pepsi, some home made turkey bacon sandwiches, and my Fritos - my favorite corn chips at the time. One of the members of the FOI provided me with a chair, since I was the only female on the riser - thanks to him - because I did not realize that I would be there from 7:00AM until after 5:00!
More and more Brothers began to trickle in, we were facing the White House, and weren't really looking at the crowds. Suddenly, around 9:00 AM, we looked around and the lawn was filled with Black men and the Black Women who loved them. At 10:00AM you could see all the way down to the Washington Monument - nothing but Black Men - standing side by side, peacefully gathering, all looking in the same direction toward the White House - or at the Jumbo Trons that were interspersed throughout so everyone could see.
Among the speakers the crowd resonated to the most was Rev. Jesse Jackson. As soon as he got up there, a cheer went out - and as he continued to speak, there was a chant, "Jesse's Back! Jesse's Back! Jesse's Back!" as they had their fists raised in solidarity and admiration. You could feel the love for him throughout the entire crowd.
By the time Min. Farrakhan appeared, there was a quiet cheer - the brothers were determined to maintain discipline and dignity. I heard someone calling my name - I thought it was interesting that in the crowd there was someone who actually recognized me - I turned around to see who it was - and in the midst of the crowd I saw my Handsome Son, Rais Wilson - standing triumphantly!!! Talk about a GOD GUIDED MOMENT! I took a picture of him, which ended up in the Daily Challenge News -
The other proud moments was to see how many of the Divine Nine were there with their Red, Black, and Green Flags, and the the symbol of their particular Fraternity or Sorority. I also noticed that Sigmas were all over the place.
When Farrakhan spoke about the issues plaguing and affecting Black men, starting off quietly as he always does - Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful - and then building up to a crescendo - you could hear a pin drop throughout that entire assemblage. He was speaking truth to power, imbuing them with spirit. And when he invoked the PLEDGE: "I! SAY YOUR NAME! DO SWEAR TO ________ : Followed by something positive and empowering - Build your community, Own your home, Develop finances, Support Black media, Help Black women, unite with each other - I was so awed, overwhelmed and proud. Another GOD GRACE Moment!!! Looking at all these FINE BLACK MEN standing together, fists raised, sincerely and proudly pledging to stand up for their BLACK MANHOOD! Look out for us Black women, love and raise their children - in the mighty tradition of their African Ancestry.
It's what I love most about being a journalist and Blogger - being around positive Black People doing wonderful things for other Black people. Those brothers left peacefully with a high sense of purpose and unity.
Five years later I met one of the brothers who took the Pledge, and who, with his other friends, began to work to make that pledge a reality. His name was Glenn D. Cunningham, who became the first Black US Marshall, and later the first (only?) Black Mayor of Jersey City, NJ. His friend, Bobby Jackson, started a Black publication highlighting the Black community in Jersey City. There were several others who had likewise kept the Pledge. Sadly, both are now with the Ancestor/Angels - one assassinated, the other - I'm not sure. However, during their lifetimes, they made their mark for Black people in Jersey City, while most were probably totally unaware of the underlying motivation.
And here we are 25 years later. I wonder how many of the brothers who were originally there have kept, or continue to keep that awesome pledge? It would appear not many - sadly, I wonder how many taught their sons and daughters about the 2 MILLION MAN MARCH - that's right! We all know that Farrakhan called for 1 Million and 2 MILLION SHOWED UP. We now need those 2 Million and their offspring to reprise the PLEDGE!
How propitious that it occurs during a plandemic and on the eve of the most pivotal, serious and epochmaking presidential election in modern times.
Use this time for 2 MILLION BLACK MEN AND WOMEN TO VOTE BLUE - NO MATTER WHO! and then pledge to tie their feet to the fire, once they're in office - and to make it your business to build your own communities and businesses for the benefit of yourself and the BLACK COMMUNITY. And each one bring 10 people with you to the polls - of course, using social distancing.
By now, most of you realize that Minister Louis Farrakhan is one of my personal Heroes. We have much to thank him for - and we have the obligation to carry forward what we've learned from him and his legacy of self liberation and Brotherly/Sisterly Love for ourselves and Black People.
HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY!
LONG LIVE THE MEMORY OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH!
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