THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 30, 1996 TAG: 9601300287
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
The Rev. Benjamin Chavis, director of October's Million Man March, made an appearance at Norfolk State University Monday, reveling in the success of the rally and reminding the crowd of 2,000 that the work of uplifting African-Americans isn't over.
``We have a lot of brothers and sisters who are not even registered to vote. . . . many of them right here in Virginia,'' he said, as many in the crowd laughed. ``We need to send a message through political involvement and political empowerment. . . . We can't afford to be spectators to our own oppression.''
Chavis was the key speaker for a program kicking off the university's Pride Week, an annual spirit week leading up to Black History Month. The former NAACP executive director stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum created by the Million Man March, a historic rally of African-American men pledging to uplift their familiesand communities. The march committee is organizing the African American Development Trust, a financial/information resource for black businesses. At NSU, applause erupted when Chavis discussed plans for a black family rally , a gathering of men, women and children on Oct. 16, the first anniversary of the Million Man March.
The event might be a rally in Washington, as the Million Man March was, Chavis said before delivering his speech. Or it might consist of a series of marches in major cities around the world.
``Whatever we do, we want to use telecommunications and make this global,'' Chavis said. ``Maybe have rallies in Johannesburg, Kingston (Jamaica), Toronto and African capital cities, and unify African-descended people from around the world.''
Chavis, 47, has been a subject of criticism over the past two years. He was dismissed from his top NAACP post in 1994 amid allegations of sexual harassment and mismanagement, and has maintained a close association with Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, who has been assailed as an anti-Semite.
But Chavis also retains a reputation for being a civil-rights fighter. He led sit-ins and other demonstrations as a college student in North Carolina in the late '60s. He gained national attention in the early '70s when he and several others - the ``Wilmington 10'' - were indicted and charged in the firebombing of a grocery store in Wilmington, N.C. Chavis spent 4 1/2 years in prison before the verdict was overturned by an appeals court.
For the past three months, the former chemistry teacher has been enjoying acclaim that has resulted from the success of the Million Man March.
At NSU, Chavis said African Americans need to support the positive outgrowths of the march - community efforts to sign up 8 million black voters by November, curb violence and develop black economic power.
``We underestimate our economic power,'' Chavis said.
``We need to redirect our spending, create our own businesses. It doesn't make sense to make someone else rich, someone else wealthy. . . .We must not be a race of beggars; we must be a race of producers.'' MEMO: List of Black History Month events/B6
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
BILL TIERNAN
The Virginian-Pilot
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, director of the Million Man March, stressed
maintaining the momentum that it created.
BILL TIERNAN
The Virginian-Pilot
Junior Jonathan Gray, center, was among the crowd of 2,000 who
gathered at Norfolk State to hear Chavis speak.
BILL TIERNAN
The Virginian-Pilot
Shawniquea Rozier, a Norfolk State freshman from Youngstown, Ohio,
listens to Chavis' speech.
by CNB