* USA be achieved on the basis of the Nation of Islam's program. It is difficult to imagine how other Black organizations could enter the march on this basis. IN CONTRAST: MALCOLM X'S STRATEGY Malcolm X's strategy of separating religious and political issues in order to achieve the greatest unity and strength in action is an approach that would benefit this march. Instead, the Nation of Islam has conceived the march in a way that will require demonstrators to support the Nation's own perspectives, when a less narrow approach would draw in far more people and make a stronger statement against oppression. Malcolm's strategy remains timely and necessary. The contradictions of the NOI call for a March on Washington reflect the contradictions of the organisation itself: a conservative religious organization whose defiant opposition to white racism and the U.S. government wins it increasing support from radicalizing African Americans, especially the youth. Still, what remains to be seen is whether the response to the appeal for the Million Man March will extend significantly beyond the members and supporters of the Nation of Islam. Certainly there is a need for massive Black demonstration and protest. But will the need for a march be strong enough to overcome the weaknesses of the Nation's strategy in building for it? *
The Political Potential of the Million Man March The Final Call, 18 August 1995 [...] ON OCToBEr 16 the whole world will be watching, waiting and listening to see how large the turn-out will be and what platform, agenda or demands will be articulated. And, if Min. Farrakhan makes good on his pledge to register one million Black voters as independents, the Nation of Islam (NOI) could become a major factor in the 1996 election. The turn to electoral politics, independent Black politics in particular, is a logical extension of the rebirth of the NOI. Steadily rebuilding its administrative, communications, educational and economic infrastructure and vigorously promoting a militant program of self-reliance and selfdevelopment, the NOI has re-emerged as a formidable force in Black America. Min. Farrakhan has demonstrated a remarkable mass appeal as he speaks to overflow crowds in rallies in city after city across the nation. A good percentage of the thousands who flock to hear the Minister speak and teach are unregistered or non-voters who have disdain for the electoral political process. No doubt thousands of those who stream into Washington for the Million Man March will not be registered to vote. About eight million Blacks remain unregistered, and large numbers of those registered often fail to vote. [...] Polls indicate that large numbers of Black people are disaffected with the two establishment parties and disillusioned with Black elected officials. There is a feeling that large numbers of Black elected officials have lost their sense of mission, that Black politicians have become self-aggrandizing buffers within an oppressive system. They are disconnected from the grassroots and therefore incapable of promoting and defending the interests of the Black masses within the electoral political process. Thus the quality of life for the Black masses is drastically deteriorating even though Black America now has more Black elected officials than at any time in history...] IT WAS MALCOLM X, in his "Ballots or Bullets" speech, who said that Black Nationalism means that Black people must "control the politics and economics of our community." Malcolm had no illusions that either the Democrats or the Republicans were concerned about the destiny of Black people. By registering a million Black people as 28 International Viewpoint n° 270 - October 1995 independents, the NOI could take the lead in aiding the Black Nation to assume control over the politics and politicians in our communities. [..] We need to grow a new breed of Black politician from amongst the grassroots; politicians who are ideologically conscious and committed to being servants of the people. Working with Black political scientists and political activists from around the country, the NOI could develop a Malcolm X Institute of Black Politics where the theory and method of a new Black politics could be taught to community-based organizations and grassroots leadership. This is what could emerge from the Million Man March and the registration of a million Black people as independents A million Black independents, if properly oriented and organized, could become a potent power bloc and catalyst for change in the Black community in 1996. [...] Such a bloc of voters could support progressive, community-minded Black politicians who sign a pledge to support the black Agenda. Corrupt and unaccountable politicians would be swept from office and replaced by new politicians schooled in the new Black politics. Non-Black politicians would have to pledge to advance our interests or face defeat. [...] A MILLION BLACK INDEPENDENT VOTERS could also have a major impact on the 1996 presidential election. Should Rev. Jackson decide to run for president as an independent and if Rev. Jackson and Minister Farrakhan could reach a mutually respectful accommodation, Black America would rise up with a vengeance at the ballot box. Rev. Jackson has already demonstrated that he is a master of voter registration. But Minister Farrakhan could reach and motivate thousands, even millions, of Black people that Rev. Jackson may be unable to reach. This unbeatable combination would stimulate an unprecedented voter registration and a voter turn-out of historic proportions. This Black flood of voters in coalition with other people of color and progressive whites would transform the political landscape of this country. The Farrakhan factor could be formidable in the 1996 election! * In the 1992 elections, Ron Daniels ran for U.S. president as an independent Black candidate on the Campaign for a New Tomorrow ticket. He is currently head of the Center for Constitutional Rights
Sri Lanka