Readers Describe Impact Of Million Man March

Tonight, participants in last month's Million Man March in Washington, D.C., will speak at a gathering sponsored by The Breakfast Group. The Evening with the Men of the Million Man March begins at 7 p.m. at the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. in Seattle.

Here we present excerpts from responses to our own recent call for reaction to the march and the impact it's had on readers.

PROVED A NATION WRONG

Conscious of the reality that some white observers would bask in the event of an uprising, further promoting the ideology that a million black men in any situation would surely be catastrophic, it is with great pride we proved a nation wrong. In our continued contention toward equality in this country, there still exists the need to prove ourselves in any capacity we may seek to engage.

Minister Farrakhan is challenged because he is controversial and not afraid to speak candidly about the atrocities of the past committed by the white man, which is a direct consequence of the condition of Black America today. He is further criticized for organizing a march explicitly aimed toward black men, excluding women and other ethnic groups.

In an effort to effectively address the condition of black men today, I support and commend his strategy. It was necessary to target the black man so that we can each take a hard look at ourselves, realize our plight and through unity combat the many foes against us.

Because a white man could never have a black experience, it is impossible for him to fully comprehend what it means to be black in America. What angers me and many of my black colleagues is the degree by which they choose to socially and politically denounce that we continue to live in a highly race-conscious and race-biased society.

The one subject I would have addressed if I were Minister Farrakhan is the issue of black history in our schools. We must acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments that African Americans have made in the building of this country alongside white Americans. This would allow black and white children to grow up with a genuine respect for their cultural differences, given complete knowledge of this country's history.

Just as the ink is black and the page is white, so is American history, and any denial of this promotes a fictitious portrayal of the foundation of this country. Though we have come a long way, we have a long way to go, as we strive to undo what has been done for more than 400 years, and that is an African-American reality. Kennedy Foster Lynnwood

Mission still not clear

I cannot say that the Million Man March made an impact on my life. I saw it on television. The mission of this gathering is still not clear to me. It seemed like a money-raising, media event that favored the nation of Islam. I have nothing against the march. The Rev. Jesse Jackson enlightened me.

If we, as men, stop trying to fit ourselves into the mold mainstream American society has created for us and start thinking about the welfare of our families, how we communicate, and focus on our organizations and our religion, then hopefully we will not have yet another lost generation.

By the way, you wanted to know my race: the human race (statistically speaking: young black male). David Jefferson Seattle

Listen as well as lecture

The problem about African-American men talking to other African-American men about things they can do to improve themselves is that it gives white men the opportunity to lecture African Americans without being accused of racism.

Every white columnist and commentator since the march has either demonized Minister Farrakhan or commented on the importance of black men taking responsibility. Not one thought to comment that since black men have renewed their commitment to do their part, the least we white men can do is to follow their excellent example and do our part.

That is what I plan to do. I plan to do what every white man should do, speak out against the biggest obstacle we place in front of many black men: racism in all its forms no matter how subtle. African Americans have been telling us for years about that racism. We need to be as willing to listen to them as we are to lecture them. John Lovchik Seattle

Relief and surprise

I've been surprised and irritated by the numerous columns and articles I've read about the Million Man March that expressed relief and surprise that the march and the men were peaceful. Knowing our national history I find this attitude aggravating. Time and again, since and during slavery, assertions of manhood on the part of African-American males have met with beatings, burnings and lynchings.

I bet that many a black wife sighed in relief that her husband returned home from his nation's capital safely, and without incident. She was relieved that he was not set upon by dogs, sprayed with water hoses or bullets, or gassed or bombed by some frightened white folks worked up into a panic by Minister Farrakhan.

Perhaps one the most positive things about this march was that it shows a new level of maturity in this nation. Clearly, many white citizens were very frightened of this gathering. Considering that whites still hold the most guns and positions of power, the surprising and most positive aspect about this march is that it was allowed to proceed in peace. Sunday A. Emeka Port Orchard

Digest the message

I have been able to see firsthand the skulduggery that majority administrations heap upon the masses. I have even been witness to character assassinations and program liquidations. But I never envisioned the magnitude and the fervor of a million-plus black men, assembled together to disavow the killing, to ward off the drug addiction and to ignoble spousal abuse syndrome, epidemic in proportion in America.

The illumination of the march needs to be emphasized. The message needs to be digested into the very sinews of all African-American males. While there are existent programs that deal with young male adolescence and concepts of masculinity, there has been no major effort to coalesce these principles to a day-to-day arsenal of basics. There has been little in the way of addressing the maturation levels of African-American males. The only established and widely supported reservoir choked full of African-American males are federal, state, county and city jails! What a travesty!

Next year when we will witness perhaps 5 million African-American men peacefully and orderly assembled, hand-in-hand, demanding that the violence be stopped, that illicit drugs and addictions be sequestered, that all families can live within only the confines of the universe and not that which society dictates, America will drop to her knees and make amends with the very populace that gave birth to the "red, white, and blue."

Seattle.