Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 October 2000 — Page 5

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20,2000

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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FAMILY Continued from A1 Though weather reports predicted rain, nothing could dampen the spirits of the families gathered for the Million Family March, where an estimated million men, women and children of all ages and rac'es, gathered for a day of prayer, reflection, supplication and song on the National Mall. Speaking on issues that focused on humanity rather than ethnicity, Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan’s message was surprisingly understated, though not completely devoid of his trademark political activism. During the more than hour-long keynote speech, Farrakhan decried the government’s embargo against Cuba, predicted a negative outcome to the current peace talks in the Middle East unless they are “structured on the principal of justice,” and lambasted African Americans for its rapacious consumerism. “God said he would choose a foolish people and when you spend $550 billion, with $545 billion of it going to others ... you’re lost,” he said to the rapt audience. “No one fits the description of a lost people better than Black people.” And while the idea for the march had come soon after the Million Man March, Farrakhan recently embarked on a three-month, 16city tour in an effort to build momentum and gamer a stellar list of prominent supporters which included Stephanie Mills, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Dick Gregory, Def Jam’s Russell Simmons, numerous hiphop artists and a score of others throughout the sports and entertainment industries. * Farrakhan’s outreach extended throughout political, religious and economic arenas as well and included Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Rabbi Ben Amin, C. Delores Tucker and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. That effort apparently paid off as thousands of Black families traveled hundreds of miles to hear an uplifting message of racial harmony, economic and political empowerment, and community activism that seemed deliberately chosen for its ability to cross racial, ethnic and religious boundaries. The Park Service no longer makes estimates, following the controversy over the discrepancy regarding head count at the 1995 Million Man March, but National Director of the Million Family March Benjamin F. Muhammad estimated the number of attendees “at a little over 3 million today.” Hoping to re-ignite the fire of atonement, self-healing and activism fueled by the Million Man March, Minister Muhammad predicted the day’s success. The march officially received its launch during February Saviors’ Day 2000 where Muhammad also announced the 200-page “National Agenda: Public Policy Issues, Analysis, and Programmatic Plan of Action 2000-2008.” But most of the day’s attendees came with an agenda of their own. Ghajiibah Campbell, of Baltimore, said she has celebrated Oct. 16 as a day of atonement since seeing the positive effect it had on her husband Eric, who participated in the Million Man March with his father in 1995. “Something did happen,” she iaid, of the both the Million Man March and the Million Women’s March, which she attended in Philadelphia last year. “It did make a difference.” ! Each time she has participated in a march, Campbell says, she has (aken away something that has Changed her life. ; “In Philadelphia, I saw a woman Wearing a T-shirt that asked: ‘why did God make me Black?’ and on the back, the answer was: ‘Because he knew I could handle it’.” ; “I thought that was awesome,” $aid Campbell, who voiced her Relief that the presidential election was the target of this year’s march. ; “It’s not a matter of whom we’re going to vote for,” she said. “It’s are we going to vote?” We might not care about the candidates, but this is going to determine not only my future, but my kids’ future, so if only one person goes back and says they want to do something for Aieir community, it’s worth it” *. “I think it’s more about the message of togetherness for the family,

and that’s why we’re here, to support that,” added her husband. Eric. For Winston Mitchell, a 28-year-old student at Virginia State University, the Million Family March was a way to catch some of the spirit of unity he missed by his absence from the Million Man March. “I tried to preach about unity, but I wasn’t really about doing it,” he said. “I just wanted to see if what happened then could happen again. I wanted to know that contrary to what others may think about us, we are unified.” David Ghaazee, who also was one of the men who marched in 1995, said he believed that it was a necessary prelude to the Million Family March. “I understand the concept,” said the Dallas man, who brought his wife Rhonda, and four daughters, Kamilah, Tahirah, Saleemah and Jamila. “First, it was about the man taking leadership, moving forward and taking leadership for his family, because we were sort of falling short in our duties. Now, as a family, everybody should be able to move forward.” Speaking without notes, Farrakhan spent only a few minutes with salutations and then, “got down to business.” “The ground on which we stand, is a hallowed ground,” he told those assembled. “Hallowed not only because it is the capital of the greatest nation on the Earth. But this ground is hallowed, because a little over 400 slaves. Black slaves,

which built this building, built this Capitol building, that is one of the most beautiful seats of government anywhere in the world. I don’t want anybody to think that we as Black people don’t have a place here,” he saidThrough his delivery, Farrakhan spent much of his address discussing the pitfalls of racism through issues such as religious symbolism and materialism, white supremacy, Black inferiority and separatism. The NOI leader spoke most intently on ethnic and racial division to the diverse crowd — an unusual scene for an NOI gathering. “We have allowed what is different about us to become a badge of honor or a disgrace,” he said citing social groups and skin color as elements used to create class and race schisms between groups of people. Through imagery and even song, Farrakhan noted that society does not place color values on nature yet continues to do so in daily human interaction. “We can accept the differences in rocks and stones and earth but we cannot accept the differences of color and characteristics in one another,” Farrakhan said. “That says that the human being is sick.” The minister also addressed abortion and domestic and verbal abuse saying that women should be pro-choice in choosing the right man. However, Farrakhan remained clear that women should not abort children. Farrakhan called on hip-hop artists to refrain from degrading

women in song but also noted that rap artists are “mirrors” of their elders and that parents should realize that young adults will emulate negative behavior. “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” Farrakhan said. He also wished for the opportunity to get the “gangsters out of the Capitol,” just as some would hope to reduce the gangster element in hip-hop. The crowd responded energetically at a high point in Farrakhan’s speech when he implied that he may run for office. “If I were to run for office,” he said in opening discussion on this year’s political elections “I would be clear, I will make the next five years of your life better than the last 450 years (of ourexistence in America)... if you give me your support. I will give you your equality, your reparations and your freedom.” “I am not a politician,” he said playfully. “I like to tell the truth.” Farrakhan called on supporters to donate money to a Million Family March economic development fund, which he said would go toward opening businesses in poor neighborhoods. Organizers also collected money to pay off the mortgage for the National Council of Negro Women building on Pennsylvania Avenue, which the Rev. Willie Wilson of the Union Temple Baptist Church called the only Black-owned building in the nation’s “corridor of power.”

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