ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602260055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
NOTE: Below
On a windy Saturday morning, they prayed, sang and marched together in a show of black unity.
They clasped hands and hugged in a spirit of brotherhood at Roanoke's Thousand Man March. They shouted "amen" and applauded speakers who urged them to join together in creating a new image for black men.
And they sang "We Shall Overcome" at the front of Addison Middle School, named for Lucy Addison, a pioneer black teacher in Roanoke.
Organizer Harold Cannaday II didn't get the thousand men he had sought, but several hundred participated in the event, which was inspired by last fall's Million Man March in Washington.
Afterward, Cannaday said he was happy with the turnout and the march's inspirational tone. "I wasn't sure what the attitude and morale would be, but there was a sense of unity and togetherness."
The orderly, peaceful march attracted businessmen, ministers, custodians, government workers, community leaders, politicians, retirees, schoolchildren and others.
"This is just the beginning," said the Rev. Carl Tinsley, who gave an invocation before the march began in Washington Park.
"Although the wind kept down the number who came out, I hope this will be the start of something to help save some of our young people," said Tinsley, former chairman of the city Democratic Party.
Black men need to unify and dedicate themselves to becoming better role models in their community, he said.
"Too many of our young people are in jail. They should be out here with us, working for a better life for themselves and the community."
Atlee Williams, 73, came because he hoped the march would inspire and unify the black community to deal with problems.
"I think it is wonderful," said Williams, a retired Norfolk and Western Railway worker. "I hope something good comes out of it."
Richard Terry, a maintenance worker for Roanoke schools, brought his son, Richard Jr., 10, and his cousin Tony Webb, 7, because he wanted them to see and be inspired by the march.
"I think it's neat," the younger Terry said. His father believes the event will help promote harmony and pride in the black community.
Alvin "Right-On" Rhodes closed his record store on 10th Street Northwest and came with his two sons, Alvin Jr. and Andre, because he thought it was more important than business he might lose while the store was closed.
During the march from Washington Park to Addison, one son hoisted a sign over his head that read "Rhodes Family."
"This will help bring together the consciousness of the community and get people to work together on problems," Rhodes said.
David Penn, a black American Indian, hoped the march would demonstrate that many black men are responsible, drug-free fathers and community leaders who do not fit a stereotype.
"We want to show we're not crack dealers and dead-beat dads," said Penn, a weatherization crew leader for Total Action Against Poverty. "There are a lot of positive black men out here."
Penn said he disagrees on some points with Louis Farrakhan, organizer of the Million Man March, but he said the Nation of Islam leader is sincere in his effort to get black men to accept accountability for their actions.
Penn said the Washington and Roanoke marches should be seen as positive, but he thinks publicity about Farrakhan has caused some people to view them negatively.
The Rev. Ivory Morton said the march should help "erase the dingy mirror" and distorted image that black men are "crack heads and people who make babies but don't take care of them."
Morton said black men should not accept that image of themselves.
"When you look into that mirror, you should see the true African-American man - a king, someone who takes cares of his children, who does not imitate the ungodly," he said.
Jeff Artis, a Republican candidate for City Council in the May 7 election, was among the marchers.
A few women came to the march, but most of them gathered in the lower end of the park and greeted the men as they came down Burrell Street and marched west on Orange Avenue to the school.
Cannaday, a teacher's aide at William Ruffner Middle School, wanted the march to be all-male, but he invited women to greet the men along the route.
Sylvia Journiette came with her husband, E.P., and son, Derek. She said the march will have a positive effect in the black community.
"I support it because I believe it will help," she said. "It will let the people know we're working together."
Cannaday said he had no political or religious motives in organizing the march, but he hopes it will spur unity in the black community to help reduce crime and deal with other problems.
The march was not intended to cause division within Roanoke or promote racial separation, but to inspire togetherness in the black community, Cannaday said.
Harmony among blacks will help improve their relations with whites, he said.
Police provided an escort and traffic control for marchers along busy Orange Avenue between the park and school. The westbound lanes were blocked during the march.
At the school, marchers gathered at the front and sang songs before going inside for an African-American Pioneers Day's recognition program.
Five black businessmen, educators and civic leaders were honored for their contributions to the community.
They are Harold Cannady's uncle, Irvin Cannaday Jr, retired educator and basketball coach; Alphonso Holland, civic activist and leader in the National Association for Advancement of Colored People; Lewis Peery, community leader and volunteer for several social service agencies; A. Byron Smith, businessman and community leader who has served on several governmental agencies; and William Taborn, businessmen and community leader.
Two others were recognized posthumously: Marionette Sprauve, for her contributions to city schools, fine arts and civic organizations; and Timothy Terrell Sr., for his volunteer service as an air-raid warden during World War II and his work with civic and religious organizations.
The Rev. J.R. Hughes urged marchers to have respect for themselves and others - and to take responsibility for their lives. "We've become a society of victims," he said.
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: LAURA KLEINHENZ/Staff. 1. Some men join hands as theyby CNBsing "We Shall Overcome" in front of Addison Middle School at the
end of the march Saturday morning. 2. The marchers make their way
down Orange Avenue. Organizer Harold Cannaday II didn't get the
thousand men he had sought, but several hundred participated in the
event, inspired by last fall's Million Man March in Washington.
"There was a sense of unity and togetherness," Cannaday said. 3. The
Rev. Ivory Morton stirs attention shortly before the march starts.
He, along with various speakers, including the organizer of the
event, spoke briefly before the men set out. color. 4. Tony Furline
of Roanoke (front) and other participants bow their heads in prayer
at Washington Park before the march Saturday morning. 5. Joshua
Howard, 8, wearing his Cub Scout uniform, stands in front of his
father in the middle of a crowd of marchers.