How many ways can you count a million? In how many languages? How official can you make the numbers? No matter how you count it physically we all know that with people that is almost impossible to do. I said almost, not definite, because the 90s have been the beginning of the million. From the million man march to the million family march, a million has become the key number. The question is are we accepting our leaders or are they just some 'Uncle Tom' acting fools who we see as little hope in as we do in many other things.
Let's take a quick look at the peeps who identify themselves as black leaders and just to focus on two of the most prominent. Minister Louis Farrakhan and Reverend Jesse Jackson. These are two who have been seen at the forefront many times, not to diss the others like Rev. Al Sharpton who has also done much, but now, I want to focus on these two. Rev. Jackson the president and co-founder of the Raibow Coalition has stood by the side of Democratic leaders for awhile now. He has continously supported and gave council to them, which in some respects has helped minorities and in others has made me think hmmmmm... Well then you have Minister Farrakhan who is bipartisan. He is a man who tends not to so much be on a political thing, but more for the wel being of blacks. He is more like a lobbyist fighting for his own cause.
The topic here is not our political leaders it is us. We are more than a million strong and though not al of us have been able to attend the marches. There have been some of us who have been able to. The take has been that there was a sense of unity and pride among the attenders. The hip-hop community has supported each of the marches, but it's not even about music. It's about us as a people standing up and saying that we need to take responsibilites for our actions.
It started with the men, where it very well should have. Our black men held a march on Wahsington in 1996, stressing that it was to be a day of atonement. Minister Farrakahn spoke saying that this nation had grown increasingly hostile towards black men. He also pointed out that black men had become increaingly hostile towards the black race. He stressed the need to accelerate the upward mobility of the black race. Whether Rev. Jackson attended this march I do not know. I do know that he was asked about his feelings and of course gave the most politically correct response possible.
Then came our women. The women went to the march as a sign of sisterhood. Leaders and organizers of the march sought unity amongst the siters. They sought to uplift those of us who were down and to help mend our hearts. Even though neither of the two leaders had a direct responsibility in this march, it was beneficial for the black comomunity.
The march that tied it all together was the Mililon Family March. A day for families to come together and reclaim our values and our unity. This march not only called for our African American people but for families of every ethnic background and race. This was to be the chance that America needed to reaffirm its commitment to family. At this march, the political vibe was definitely on, leaders endorsed the Democratic Party.
Will the black community take the challenge of these marches. Will we have a sense of responsibility to the future generations? In some ways, people are resounding with a loud and feverent YES. The more cynical ones and sayin no with a sigh. Should we respond to these challenges and goals set at these marches? Of course we should, but if we will, well the answer will come to us in the years to come. If our families and our men and our women can get together, then we can rebuild our nation.
I encourage everyone who can vote to do so. I encourage you all to stand up for you issues and values. Even if you do not agree with the poitical stand point of our leaders find someone who is closer to what you think should happen in America. We must start to take responsibility for ourselves and our people. I don't feel like voting, or there is no use in voting is no longer an excuse. So get your ass up and vote! Get your ass up and help to accelerate the upward mobility of our nation!
