March 29, 2024

The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March (Justice or Else)

 


 

 

millionmanmarch

Photo from @RevoltTv

It’s been exactly 20 years since the anniversary of the Million Man March that was led by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in 1995.  The movement started to help the inner city economic problems, as well as the different adversities the black community faced. Also, conveying the message of unity within the community. Pretty much the same consensus this go-around. Now, instead of the men leading the movement. The women of the Justice League were front and center for Justice or Else. Adding on to the movement by addressing the police brutalities—racism head on—and giving answers/solutions to dismantling white supremacy.


 

justiceorelse

Photo from @BrotherJesse

Minister of Dominican Republic to the Haitians:

“We cannot allow the Europeans to divide us.”

“The only thing that seperate us are our flags.”

More stand-out quotes of speakers from the program:

Tamika Mallory: “I am a black mother of a black son. I didn’t come to Washington to play.”

Linda Sarsour: “Our common enemy is white supremacy.”

“I have the blood of an oppressed people. Resilient people—a strong people— courageous people.”

“Don’t let them ask you why you’re mad. Ask them why they’re not.”

Dr. Ava Muhammad: “We must defend our women, for a nation cannot rise above them, and they will fashion the future.” 

Sabrina Fulton: “Don’t hold your head down as though your child’s life was lost in vain. Hold your head up high, and stand up for who you are.”

Pastor Jamal H. Bryant: “We would be further along now 20 years ago, if we had brought the sisters with us.”

Andrea James: “There has been an 800% rate increase of incarceration of black women over 20 years. We have got to bring an end to mass incarceration.” 

Mellina Abdullah: “Our college degrees won’t save us. Middle class status will not save us.” 

Carmen Perez: “The rivers of blood that flows through our streets, comes from the bodies of black and brown children.”

Ishmael Muhammad: “Success doesn’t depend on numbers.”


 

Farrakhan

Photo from VoaNews

 

Minister Louis Farrakhan’s speech spoke on indigenous people who have been victimized too long in the United States. Black women being the leaders of this movement to justice. He also talked about trafficking—abortions—and the whole meaning behind the “or else” in Justice or Else. He surprisingly speaks on the criticism and accusation of him killing the iconic Malcolm X, how the FBI needs to release the files of how he was really killed. He also spoke on Martin Luther King Jr. and his last 2 years of him contemplating changing his approach. He urged the crowd to research the words of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, the point to show the hypocritical nature of the world.

He came with a direct plan to rebuild the black community by calling on 10,000 educated men and women to go to the inner cities to dismantle the violence. A plan of independent resources for a 100 million in acres, to go towards the milk/wheat/bean infrastructures, and other ideas to help restore the black community. He ends his speech speaking on Christmas. He says everyone should be putting the focus back on Jesus instead of the materialistic/capitalist side of Christmas, and that the oppressors have been abusing black people’s spending power for too long. He mentioned a lot of things, and spoke briefly on certain topics. Overall, kind of got a vibe from the message at times that he was trying to convert everyone to being a Muslim. Even in those moments, it still doesn’t take away the message of unity and productivity for the urgency for justice. Peep some of the quotes from Minister Farrakhan down below.


 

Farrakhan on indigenous people: “Those who have suffered the most are indigenous people who were brought into the world and made the burden of the real citizens of America.”

“The Muslims, Christians, Native Americans. They are sacred people, and they deserve justice. We are in unity, not justice for ourselves but others.”

Farrakhan on Black Lives Matter: “Black lives matter are the future of the leadership.”

“The brothers and sisters who challenged the tanks. We are honored you came to our struggle.”

Farrakhan about the young people: “I feel the ancestors are happy the young generation has risen.”

“What good are we not to teach the young to liberation.”

“To the young that are here, we honor you.”

“There are some elders who are not capable of passing on their cowardliness.” 

“They will not listen to those made in America, by America, and to those that bow down.”

“They want leadership that cannot be bought. Leadership that will sacrifice a better future for our children.”

“What good is life, if we are not free.”

Farrakhan on women:  “You are not a second self of man, you are second self of God.”

“When a man sees a woman, he should bow to her.”

“Native Americans can teach black men how to treat women.”

“The woman is a natural protector of what her womb produces.”

Farrakhan on justice: “This is not a moment, this is a movement.”


Respect to all of the organizations apart of the movement. 

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