Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510160058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Rahman Muhammad is one in a million.
Or at least he will be Monday, when he and a busload of other black Roanoke men travel to Washington, D.C., to join in the Million Man March.
"It's about time we did something for ourselves, the black men," Muhammad said. "We need unity. It's about that time.''
The brainchild of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the event is being promoted as a way to affirm racial pride, unity and commitment to family.
For Muhammad, a 21-year-old married father of two with one "in development," the march's theme strikes close to home.
"Too many black men neglect their babies, plain and simple," he said.
"That's why [kids] are on the street doing all this terrible stuff," said Khalid Jones, also 21. "They don't have role models. We could easily take the money we make and do something terrible with it, but why do we need to stick our necks out and do something negative?''
For Muhammad and Jones, who work as barbers at the Hair Is salon on Melrose Avenue near Forest Park Elementary School, the march is about sending a message to the next generation about personal responsibility.
Jones, who has been a barber for almost four years, hopes to have a shop of his own one day.
As he gently brings an electric razor around the head of a boy whose white sneakers hang out from under a big, black nylon smock, Jones said, "From Day One, Malcolm X, when he was in leadership, was trying to tell the black people to do for themself. That's what I'm doing.
"I work here to learn. I watch someone else, and then I pass it down to the next person. Somebody will come to work in my shop, and I'll teach the next person."
He'll do the same at the march, he said, by videotaping black leaders and bringing the tapes back to show to young people in the community.
Mike Johnson, a 23-year-old janitor, said he's going to the march because "I feel the black family has become prehistoric. More brothers are dead or in jail then anywhere else. I know so many brothers in jail, it's pathetic.
"I think it'll be a good cause for brothers to come out and listen to what the minister [Farrakhan] and the other leaders have to say. Knowledge is the key."
But the involvement of Farrakhan, who is known for his hateful comments about Jews, may turn some blacks away from the march. In a recent interview, for instance, Farrakhan called Jews "bloodsuckers" who take financial advantage of blacks.
For Muhammad and Jones, who are both Muslims but not followers of Farrakhan, the minister may not be as important as his message of black unity.
"It's like this, bro," Jones said. " My religion is Muslim. I believe there's one God. I don't really follow nobody. But if it's for a good cause, I'm going to go along with it."
Only black men are being asked to attend the march. Black women and children are being asked to stay home from work and school and not to shop or spend money.
"At first, I was upset because I wanted to go," said Lisa Preston, owner of Hair Is. "Then, when the brothers explained to me why they didn't want us to go, I said, `OK, I'll do my part here.'''
Preston is signing up Roanoke-area men and taking contributions for their bus trip. "Women have always stood out at the forefront of the black events. That's been done, and they say it's time for the men to take a stand now," she said.
Like many businesses owned by black entrepreneurs, hers will be closed Monday. She and her children will stay at home and watch the march on television, she said.
"It's supposed to show America what a day without black people will be like." she said. "If it went down like that, it's going to make a big impact.
"I read in the paper yesterday where they had to shut down the Arlington school bus system because the drivers were going to be gone to the march. That's saying something."
It's unclear what effect the Million Man March will have on Roanoke on Monday. Valley Metro officials say they haven't planned any bus route changes. But one white grocery store manager in a largely black neighborhood said, "I'm sure we will have an impact."
The manager, who asked not to be identified, added, "I don't understand how not shopping and going to work is going to show unity."
None of his employees has asked for the day off, and he hasn't heard any of them discussing the march, the manager said.
But by bus or car, many Roanoke men will be in Washington on Monday. Most won't bring much money, they said, but that's OK, because they won't have to worry about food. They've been asked to fast for the day.
And that's probably best, because if a million men show up, there's only one portable toilet for about every 300 men so far.
"We'll maintain. We'll make a way," Jones said.
"I hope so," Johnson said. "That's a long line."
As for sleep, the men on the Roanoke bus don't have lodging, Jones said. But that shouldn't be a problem, either.
"It don't really even matter," he said. "I can sleep on the bus. I'm going for a cause. I'm not thinking of sleep."
by CNB