THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130060
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAULITA M. BROWN, High School Correspondent
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
A MARCH ON Washington D.C., how appropriate. This will definitely make a statement worth listening to, but will anyone listen? And what is the message?
On Monday, a drastic and symbolic message will be sent to our country - that African-American men are ready to take full responsibility for their families and be leaders in their communities. The Million Man March, the idea of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Benjamin Chavis, former director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is calling for 1 million African-American men to march on Washington, D.C.
``This is a march about social, economic and political well being of black people in America,'' said the Rev. Dr. Geoffery V. Guns of Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk.
The march is an excellent opportunity to refocus priorities. However, in the planning, an important element has been overlooked: young people. Even with all the literature, posters and forums, information is not getting to us.
``There is no one talking to the kids and explaining to them about the march,'' said Frederick I. Watson, president of Virginia Male Adolescent Network Inc., an organization that works with the community and at-risk and sexually active males and teen fathers. ``There is really no one that children can go to, male or female, as their source of information. Some teenagers might read the newspapers, but your average teenager does not read the newspapers, and a lot of families do not discuss these issues.''
Young people are the future leaders of the United States. Only if we are informed, can we carry out the programs and legislation that may arise from this effort.
``Before I participate or observe this day, I would like more (information),'' said Marcus L. Williams, a Kempsville High School sophomore.
We have a lot of questions. For example, organizers ask that teenagers either march or mark the day by staying home from school and work. But in all fairness, this is illogical.
How can one say that a march will instill responsibility in someone who never possessed it in the first place? Responsibility is demonstrative, and taking off from work or school is not the greatest example of fighting back.
Adults probably didn't consider that for many students a day out of school takes an eternity to make up. And I wonder how many students have found out whether missing school to mark this ``Day of Atonement'' will be counted as an excused or unexcused absence?
Another element of concern is the economic goals for the march. Literature has been distributed asking African-Americans not to shop Monday and to purchase whatever they need the day before. This is a weak attempt at making America feel the economic power of the African-American community. Organizers have even distributed day-before shopping lists. How can a boycott be effective if the total spending will be the same?
The time for this type of activism was after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 civil rights march. After fighting for individual rights, the next step should have been to work on the economic, social and political status of African-Americans. It should have been a continuous effort from the 1960s, not a reaction to crisis.
We need to remember that responsibility cannot be learned overnight, nor can goals be accomplished through a march alone. The efforts need to be continuous, and young people must know that the baton will be passed to them. Some already realize this.
``It starts with yourself; you have to be self-driven. Then you have to take an active interest in your community,'' said Gilbert G. Campbell III, a junior at Kempsville High School.
One would hope that each participant has thoroughly researched and understands what he is about to embark on. One must ask what is the agenda for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and beyond? And how can I make that happen? ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Paulita Brown is a senior at Princess Anne High School.
by CNB