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Million Man March
A strikingly photographed exploration of the largest gathering of African American men in U.S. history—the Million Man March—and their journey to Washington, D.C. to renew their faith and commitment
It was a day for men to join hands and pray for peace and self-responsibility; a day for Black men to sing, to rejoice, to celebrate each other. It was a day for Black men to cry, to share their universal suffering, to strengthen their spirits, atone, and pledge to rebuild their communities. . . .
This book, with more than one hundred powerful images, chronicles an event that will be etched in the hearts of Black Americans everywhere. It is not intended to document every movement, every speaker, celebrity, or poet. Rather, it is meant to offer a remembrance of one of the most pivotal and poignant moments in American history. It is a commemorative account of Black men who answered a call for self-examination and to reaffirm their values of family, faith, and community. Think of it as a snapshot of, perhaps, the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting, and socially profound moment of our time. Cherish and reflect on this chronicle, which records the natural alliance and self-liberation of more than one million men. Share in the celebration of a vast grassroots movement, and help preserve the spirit of the Million Man March.
It was a day for men to join hands and pray for peace and self-responsibility; a day for Black men to sing, to rejoice, to celebrate each other. It was a day for Black men to cry, to share their universal suffering, to strengthen their spirits, atone, and pledge to rebuild their communities. . . .
This book, with more than one hundred powerful images, chronicles an event that will be etched in the hearts of Black Americans everywhere. It is not intended to document every movement, every speaker, celebrity, or poet. Rather, it is meant to offer a remembrance of one of the most pivotal and poignant moments in American history. It is a commemorative account of Black men who answered a call for self-examination and to reaffirm their values of family, faith, and community. Think of it as a snapshot of, perhaps, the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting, and socially profound moment of our time. Cherish and reflect on this chronicle, which records the natural alliance and self-liberation of more than one million men. Share in the celebration of a vast grassroots movement, and help preserve the spirit of the Million Man March.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
16 people want to read
About the author
Michael H. Cottman
9 books13 followersMICHAEL H. COTTMAN, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author, is a former political reporter for the WashingtonPost. Cottman has appeared on National Public Radio's (NPR) "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin and also the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2000 to discuss his (adult) book The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie. Cottman also serves as a special consultant to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a national, multimedia project, "Voyage to Discovery," an education initiative that focuses on the African-American contribution to the maritime industry spanning 300 years and efforts to teach students of color about careers in marine biology and oceanography.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 25, 2024
A WELL-PHOTOGRAPHED COMMEMORATION OF THE 1995 GATHERING
Michael Cottman wrote in the Introduction to this 1995 book, “Two thousand photographers, and print, television, and radio reporters from all over the world were assigned to cover the Million Man March. This book, with more than one hundred powerful images, chronicles an event that will be etched in the hearts of Black Americans everywhere. It is not intended to document every movement, every speaker, celebrity, or poet. Rather, it is meant to offer a remembrance of one of the most pivotal and poignant moments in American history. It is a commemorative account of African-American men who answered a call for self-examination and to reaffirm their values of family, faith, and community. Think of it as a snapshot of, perhaps, the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting, and socially profound moment of our time. Cherish and reflect on this journal, which records the natural alliance and self liberation of more than one million African-American men. Share in the celebration of a vast grassroots movement, and help preserve the spirit of the Million Man March.”
He observes, “The marchers reflected the diversity of our nation---they were laborers and educators, postal workers and truck drivers, policemen and attorneys, waiters and electricians, ministers and businessmen, doctors and government employees, mechanics and chefs administrators and artists, pharmacists and entertainers, athletes and politicians---fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles---all Black men telling the nation that they will take responsibility for the social despair in their communities---each of them telling the nation that he will help reduce Black-on-Black crime, response Black women, and seek spiritual support and guidance.” (Pg. 9)
He recalls, “If there was one defining moment during the fifteen-hour event, one moment that captured the hearts of a million Black men and the attention of a nation, it was when Black men joined hands and in unison recited a solemn pledge: ‘I pledge that from this day forward, I will ever raise my hand with a knife or gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense.’” (Pg. 24)
He explains, “Cars packed with Black men honked horns on the interstate highways as young men stuck their clenched fists through the sunroofs of cars in a show of solidarity. Young Black men wore Million Man March caps and T-shirts that read, ‘Yes, I’m Black---No, I’m not a Criminal.’” (Pg. 37)
Minister Louis Farrakhan said, “Black man, you don’t have to back White peoples. All we’ve got to do is go back home and turn our communities into productive places. But every time we drive by shooting; every time we carjack; every time we use foul, filthy language; every time we produce culturally degenerate films and tapes, putting a string in our women’s backsides and parading them before the world; every time we do this we are feeding he degenerate mind of White Supremacy.” (Pg. 75-76)
Bishop Stallings suggests, “I believe there is a burning desire on the part of African-American men to improve the image of how White America views us; that we’re not all on drugs, we’re not all in jail; that we are committed, dedicated hardworking, responsible Black men who will provide leadership for our community and our nation.” (Pg. 89)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone studying (or remembering) the March.
Michael Cottman wrote in the Introduction to this 1995 book, “Two thousand photographers, and print, television, and radio reporters from all over the world were assigned to cover the Million Man March. This book, with more than one hundred powerful images, chronicles an event that will be etched in the hearts of Black Americans everywhere. It is not intended to document every movement, every speaker, celebrity, or poet. Rather, it is meant to offer a remembrance of one of the most pivotal and poignant moments in American history. It is a commemorative account of African-American men who answered a call for self-examination and to reaffirm their values of family, faith, and community. Think of it as a snapshot of, perhaps, the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting, and socially profound moment of our time. Cherish and reflect on this journal, which records the natural alliance and self liberation of more than one million African-American men. Share in the celebration of a vast grassroots movement, and help preserve the spirit of the Million Man March.”
He observes, “The marchers reflected the diversity of our nation---they were laborers and educators, postal workers and truck drivers, policemen and attorneys, waiters and electricians, ministers and businessmen, doctors and government employees, mechanics and chefs administrators and artists, pharmacists and entertainers, athletes and politicians---fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles---all Black men telling the nation that they will take responsibility for the social despair in their communities---each of them telling the nation that he will help reduce Black-on-Black crime, response Black women, and seek spiritual support and guidance.” (Pg. 9)
He recalls, “If there was one defining moment during the fifteen-hour event, one moment that captured the hearts of a million Black men and the attention of a nation, it was when Black men joined hands and in unison recited a solemn pledge: ‘I pledge that from this day forward, I will ever raise my hand with a knife or gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense.’” (Pg. 24)
He explains, “Cars packed with Black men honked horns on the interstate highways as young men stuck their clenched fists through the sunroofs of cars in a show of solidarity. Young Black men wore Million Man March caps and T-shirts that read, ‘Yes, I’m Black---No, I’m not a Criminal.’” (Pg. 37)
Minister Louis Farrakhan said, “Black man, you don’t have to back White peoples. All we’ve got to do is go back home and turn our communities into productive places. But every time we drive by shooting; every time we carjack; every time we use foul, filthy language; every time we produce culturally degenerate films and tapes, putting a string in our women’s backsides and parading them before the world; every time we do this we are feeding he degenerate mind of White Supremacy.” (Pg. 75-76)
Bishop Stallings suggests, “I believe there is a burning desire on the part of African-American men to improve the image of how White America views us; that we’re not all on drugs, we’re not all in jail; that we are committed, dedicated hardworking, responsible Black men who will provide leadership for our community and our nation.” (Pg. 89)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone studying (or remembering) the March.
August 4, 2014
These images and the storyline remind me of a better day, when there was hope throughout. I wish that I could have made it to the first one, but indeed made it to the follow up Millions More.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews