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10 th Anniversay Commemoration of the Million More March |
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Written by Dejinay Reid
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Tuesday, 25 November 2008 16:52 |
Thousands of American Americans gathered in unity at the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. this weekend to commemorate the Million More March. The Million More Movement focused on mobilizing men, women and youth into an effective national movement with the goal of transforming the American society and eliminating poverty, injustice, unemployment and poor quality schools in black communities.
The honorable Louis Farrakhan, leader of the nation of Islam, was one of the keynote speakers. During the duration of his eighty-minute speech, Farrakhan spoke about imperative issues in the African American community from the days of slavery until the present. He demanded reparations for the descendants of black slaves. Farrakhan argued that there is no apology for slavery and he believes his community deserved more than monuments and apologies for slavery. He also stressed the issue of new political parties to increase the power of blacks and other groups. He states, "The government will never do for the poor nation until and unless we organize effectively to make government respond to the needs of the poor." Minister Farrakhan also made great emphasis on the domestic, economic and foreign polices of the Bush Administration.
In addition to Farrakhan appearance, there were other speakers that included civil right leaders, Hispanics, poor people, politicians, clergymen, professors, American Indians and Hip-Hop musicians. Special board members and organizations were present at this memorable occasion such as, Dr. Dorothy Height and National Council of Negro Women. Bruce Gordon and the NAACP, Mark Morial and the National Urban League, Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Dr. Charles Steele and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Reverend Jesse Jackson and the National Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, the Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network and Congressman Mel Watt and the Congressional Black Caucus, among others. The National Director of the Millions More Movement is Washington, D.C. pastor the Reverend Willie Wilson.
The Hip-Hip generation contributed to this movement and made it more appealing to the youth all around the world. Hip-hop leaders included Reverend Run, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Damon Dash, Jermaine Dupri, Kanye West, Ludacris, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Common, Wyclef Jean, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, David Banner, Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Jha Jha of the Diplomats, Masta P, Juvenile, Erykah Badu,Questlove of The Roots, MC Lyte, Fab Five Freddy, Biz Markie, Kid Capri, Cassidy, the Wu Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tony Austin, Humpty Hump, the Ruff Ryders and Dead Prez, among others.
Many people agreed with the thought and the vision of this movement and had great comments to share with the public.
Joi Britt, 21, senior at St.Johns University, Queens, NY, " I think the Million More Movement is a good idea because of the unity level amongst African American.
Added Dr. Dorothy Height, "The Million Man March ten years ago could not have been successful without the support of women. And we are pleased that women are invited to take part in the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March to launch the Millions More Movement, which encompasses the whole of black families and poor families throughout America."
Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, emphasized, "The commemoration deserves the respect and support of all people of goodwill who cherish the universal love of humanity. The time has come for the hip-hop community and all of us to come together and participate in a movement which will have a fundamental influence on the lives of this generation and generations to come."
And finally , Minister Farrakhan concluded, "Unity, love of self and love for one another have always been my desire. We stand on the threshold of the realization of our potential unity and the potential power that our unity can unleash to bring about a positive change today because of the Millions More Movement."
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