1,000,000+ - Many believe that mainstream media's dispute of there being more than 1,000,000 men in attendance was to distract from the economic impact of the march. Some D.C. police reports have estimated that by 5PM eastern time on that day, there were upwards of 2,000,000 in and around the Capital Mall.
By Terry Artis
President/Publisher
Million Man March, October 16, 1995 - In the weeks prior to the March, mainstream media ran every kind of negative attack on Minister Louis Farrakhan that could be imagined. There was every effort to make certain that Black men wouldn't heed the call of the "racist pied piper." Articles were run about Black Christian Ministers telling their flocks not to participate in this event called forth by a "hate spreading Muslim heretic."
Farrakhan stayed steadfast and resolute. There would be nothing to stop this most important event in Black American history from going forward.
I personally hadn't given the call much thought in the months leading up to it. I had heard about it a number of times, but was under the impression that it was primarily for Muslims. Being a person who considers myself spiritual and non-religious, even as Christians began signing on, I wasn't moved.
What actually compelled me to purchase a bus ticket on Friday, October 13, 1995, and attend the March on Monday, October 16, was how incredibly clear it had become that White political and corporate powers, through the use of media, would stop at nothing to make certain that Black men did not come together on that day. This for me, made the march an obligation on my part as a Black man.
When we arrived in Washington D.C. the morning of October 16, I remember those on our bus unloading and being greeted by a Black female D.C. police officer who said, "Good morning my beautiful Black brothers and welcome to Washington D.C." It was uplifting and her words made me feel an overwhelming sense power, duty and pride that I don't remember ever feeling prior to that moment. That feeling would be reinforced ten fold throughout the day.
We made our way to the D.C. Mall among thousands and thousands of our brothers, most of whom had likely never visited the nation's capital, judging from the sight-seeing stares that many faces expressed.
Reports from police officers along the way were that there had been over a half million men that had arrived by 6AM. We were in the 9 o'clock hour and had been pouring in steadily since the dawn. Although the "official" count has been disputed, photos and police counts reveal that there were well above 1,000,000 men in attendance.
The Power of True Oneness
The Million Man March represented the single moment in my life that I felt that there was nothing that Black men couldn't do if we were to just stand together. The shear strength of our unity could have moved mountains with ease.
The financial impact of that day has gotten little to no press, but was among the most significant aspects of the march. The day of absence and Blacks being asked to do no spending and no patronizing of any businesses, had a chilling effect that was so powerful, no mainstream media would ever mention it. The dispute over the attendance numbers was considered by some as a way to distract from the fact of what effect a day of restricted spending by Black people had on our economy and what an extended campaign of this type could do. With the National Black Boycott that is being organized by Black college students and young Black professionals, it is likely that America will see the effects in due time.
The Messenger
There would have been no other person in that time than Minister Louis Farrakhan that could have made that calling of over a million Black men come to fruition. As divisive as mainstream media has attempted to portray him as being, he is still, most believe, the single most unifying figure for Blacks in our times. Even the late Michael Jackson paid respect to the Minister on numerous occasions. Farrakhan's unapologetic, unyielding, uncompromised concern for the plight of Black people touches those who even openly state disagreement with his rhetoric and style.
"It's not the messenger, it’Äôs the message," says 48 year old Thomas Madison of Hazelwood (Black man). "It doesn't matter who says that Black men need to re-dedicate themselves to their community. Even coming from a White person it would be true. It just needs to be done and not just talked about."
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