Justice Or Else. The Million Man March

20 years ago, a movement backed by millions of Black men in America and spearheaded by the current leader of the Nation Of Islam, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, spawned all across the Congress lawn in Washington, DC. The Million Man March, held on October 16, 1995, became an inspiration for an entire generation of Black men and families who faced insurmountable odds while going into the 21st century educationally and economically disadvantaged. One of the primary goals of such gathering was to focus Black men on their responsibilities and struggles to overcome. In 2015, the Minister and supporters seek to rekindle such activism with the 20th Anniversary commemoration of the MMM with the 10-10-15 March On Washington, also dubbed as the “Justice Or Else” movement. 

When the Minister’s “call“ became a reality in 1995, the vision of Black men uniting, reconciling and taking domestic responsibility began to take shape on a practical and philosophical level; that effort took precedence over any single event aimed to uplift the Black community. The MMM’s self-reliance ideas of collective financial responsibility, community peacekeepers and defining roles of fatherhood were the main objectives. That effort was more of an introspective focus on Black men and such march had even more participants than the March On Washington (for Jobs and Freedom) organized by a number of civil rights and religious groups which culminated in Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous speech, originally entitled “Cashing a Canceled Check” later to be popularized as the “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1995, there was a pledge that all of the Black men who traveled from around the world would work to improve their condition and community. Even Black women came out to support their husbands, sons, brothers and uncles to support the effort of regaining the respect in their homes, community and ultimately, in the world’s view.

During the MMM, there were funds donated from the massive crowd of over 1.5 million people and many people contibuted enthusiastically to the cause. Unsurprisingly, some critics inquire as to what happened to those funds and to the powerful positivity that saturated Washington on that brisk October day that will forever be etched into America’s saga on racial relations? Indeed, it was a beautiful occasion and awesome opportunity. 1995 was the era of the Clinton administration, in which more people were incarcerated during his two terms than any other President in this country’s short history. The federal and state prison populations ballooned following the MMM and has now reached record proportions with over 50% behind bars being Black people. Police are killing Black and Brown people in urban communities in record numbers. One major difference is that this upcoming 10-10-15 campaign is a multi-cultural effort. Uniting allies against injustice. How will the sequel to the historic MMM help to cause justice? What is the “or else?” Many are excited to find out; others remain critical. It has been 20 years since the MMM. The need for justice and unity, among people of all races, cultures and religions, could not be more timely. How will “Justice Or Else” lead to a plan and agenda to impact society? The Source will be there to find out! – Mindsquad