THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 17, 1995 TAG: 9510170283
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
What remains in mind from the Million Man March was not words - sometimes foolish, often eloquent - but mainly faces of men.
They were strong, everyday faces, confidence-breeding faces, faces that were watchful, even cautious. During early hours, when speakers tried to enlist them in chants - ``Victory is mine!'' - they made no pretense of joining.
A carpet of humanity along the Mall, they were there to learn, as were those by the TV at home.
A set-to on C-SPAN between Rep. Don Payne of New Jersey and the Rev. Earl Jackson, a Boston talk-show host, showed differences in blacks' thinking.
``The day brings unity to our community,'' said Payne, head of the Congressional Black Caucus. To Jackson the ``sad day'' advanced ``illegitimate aspirations'' of the Rev. Louis Farrakhan, whose theme ``is a poison pill at the center of a sugar cube,'' a hatred of whites.
Jackson said ministers had been called Uncle Toms in urging, for years, the message of self-reliance that Farrakhan professes.
From the Mall, Jacob Wheeler, a merry-faced businessman, said: ``If anybody had told me this would happen, I'd have said he was dreaming! We can't help our children, our women, and our country until we learn to help ourselves.''
``Congratulations!'' said Payne. ``You've got it right.''
For Wheeler the world was joyful: the porter who declined his tip, the stewardess who moved him to first class, the smiling white man in the elevator who asked, ``Can I go?''
``We need to go back and hug our black women - our wives, mothers and sisters!'' Wheeler said.
C-SPAN's Brian Lamb asked Payne what he'd do if Farrakhan's speech spoiled the day.
``Nothing can spoil this day,'' Payne said. ``Not even if Farrakhan speaks two weeks. This is far beyond Farrakhan. He just happened to come up with the notion.''
It seemed, at times, Farrakhan would speak for weeks. First, Jesse Jackson, who wouldn't turn down any forum with a million listeners, revived the chant he taught Norfolk schoolchildren 20 years ago:
``I am somebody! Respect me!''
Farrakhan started a two-hour gallimaufry by striving to cut off the founders at the roots, reminding his audience Thomas Jefferson owned slaves.
He failed to note that Jefferson tried to ban slavery in the Declaration and led in excluding it from the Northwest Territory.
He ridiculed President Clinton with a skill beyond any Republican, but he offered to parley with him.
He had the thousands swear to better their lives. They chanted: ``I pledge that from this day forward, I will never 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.''
That vow would enhance any gathering. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
The Rev. Louis Farrakhan had the men swear to better their lives by
not using knives or guns against ``any member of my family or any
human being, except in self-defense.''
by CNB