As Monday’s Million Man March came to a close and the 1.2 million people, as estimated by march officials, who had gathered at the Mall started to make their way back home, an overwhelming sense of purpose was discovered. The men, from all walks of life, all corners of the country, all ages, came together in a show of unity that will go down in history as the greatest moment for Black people in this century:the Million Man March.
In Monday’’s wee morning hours, people arrived from far and wide to become a part of this historic march. They came with determination and an even greater sense of pride. Arriving by train, bus, car, and by foot, they came. Every minute, thousands more stepped onto the mall.
By 5 a.m., over 100,000 men had gathered at the base of the Capitol. Journalists were arriving by the dozens, as my colleagues and I picked up our credentials in the dark of night. We were not yet sure of how many people would show, but we knew that even if it were only 10 people standing together, it would be a success.
As we tried to make our way from the press center to the front, we kept being turned around, the crowds were so thick. Finally, we tried to walk straight up the center. Men looked at us trying to make our way and did not really want to move until we told them who we were.
It was not really the fact of telling them,; they saw our credentials and asked what publications we were from. We told them proudly, “The Amsterdam News.” At the hearing of those words, their faces changed and a chant began: “Let the Black press through, let the Black press through.”
From that point on, the men, instead of impeding our progress, did everything in their power to see to it that we arrived up front without incident.
We made our way over a wall and into the press pen. Hundreds of reporters and photographers were gathered there. There was a sense of camaraderie between all those involved.
As the sun began to appear over the Capitol and the light shone on the sea of faces waiting for the day to begin, a sense of hope and pride was renewed. By 10 a.m., there was no ground visible from the base of the Capitol to the Washington Monument. By noon, there were people as far as the eye could see.
Entire families came together for this day. Fathers and sons, mothers and sons, and grandparents. The people knew that by their participation, they could add their names to history.
The huge crowd stood most of the day, listening intensely to the words of those on stage. Emotions overflowed as the feeling of unity ran like wildfire over the million-plus crowd. The Million Man March lived up to its name.
Outside the press area, it was evident that the crowds were just going to keep coming and coming and coming. Mr. Dice and his son Tony came from Maryland for the march. “This march had the same spirit as King’s march, people feel it is time for a change, and I think what you are seeing now is indicative of the overwhelming sentiment of Black men that change has to come,” offered Dice.
His 14-year-old son chimed in, agreeing with what his father had said and added, “I think it is amazing, you look out in any direction, you don’t see any land, you see people and that is amazing that this many people can come together like this.”
Although the official estimates from the National Park Services were around 400,000 people, the actual numbers were more than double that. The crowd stretched from the base of the Capitol all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.
Over 1 million strong, the MMM called on the Black men of this country to do more for themselves and their families. At the podium, several young people spoke. They talked about what they needed from the men in society, and how with the leadership of their fathers, grandfathers, and brothers, they can accomplish great things.
Alleynde Baptiste, a 14-year-old orator from Chicago, said in his speech, “You must change today, so that tomorrow will dare to be different.”
The young people at the march know that their future hangs in the balance. They hope for a better tomorrow, and believe that this show of unity and strength will go a long way toward bringing that tomorrow to fruition.
Tiffany Jamille Mayo, a 10-year-old girl, read a poem by Maya Angelou with words added by Minister Louis Farrakhan. “Thank you for this power march. I know it’s all for me, I represent the Black woman of the 21st century … I’m everyone’s daughter and everyone’s friend, and everyone’s me. I must count on your clean devotion to me. I am not yet a woman, even if I pretend to be. I am tender enough to curl into the palm of your hand. I need the protection of every Black man …”
Two young men followed with a poem about fathers, and the fact that if men want to be called fathers, they must live up to the name. “Wake up, my father! Wake up, my father! Wake up, get up, our fathers, hear and fill our needs. An emergency alarm had to go off in the minds and hearts of all those that want to be called daddy. I need your strength. To all those that want to be called pops, I need your respect. For all those that want to be called big brother, I need your courage. For all those of you who want to be called grandpa, I need your wisdom and legacy. To all those that want to be called father, we need your discipline. We need your unconditional love to guide us to our future, father.”
Lt. Michael Smith of the D.C. Fire and E.M.S. Dept. said rather knowingly, “Everyone was in harmony today.”
For the 70% Black population of Washington, D.C. it was strange indeed that there were no arrests, and no fires on that special Monday in October when Black men made all America stand still.
A message was sent on the 16th of October. It came from the children, the women, and the leaders. It said that it is time to take responsibility, to make a change. One million men came out to hear that message. And the message they gave back in return was that they are willing and ready to make tomorrow a better place.
Over 1 million men came, thousands of women did, too. By day’s end, the hundreds of thousands of weary marchers started their trek back home, energized by a promise they made to themselves that tomorrow will be whatever they make it.
On the train back to New York, those exhausted by a day in the sun sat around talking about the march. They were happy to have been part of it. At stations along the way, young Black women welcomed their men back home, showing them that they are there to support them.
It was a great day, one I will not soon forget. One of the things that will always stand out in my memory of this day will be the children who spoke to their fathers, and the fathers that listened to them.