30th Commemoration of the Million Man March

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Rayden Gould refuses to sit on the sidelines.

“We need growth,” the Newburgh Free Academy senior emphasized to a growing crowd on Broadway, in front of the John Lewis Statue. “I want to help create change and be an example for young people.”

That passion was exactly the pioneer spirit Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan, envisioned 30 years ago when he created the Million Man March, a day-October 16, 1995- intended to promote unity, atonement and personal responsibility within the African-American community, specifically men. Dubbed “a holy day of atonement and reconciliation,” the 1,000,000 man ensemble in Washington, D.C. was fueled by a mission to fight negative stereotypes, make economic issues a point of priority, and stress family values.

The symbolic impact of that iconic day was felt Thursday-one that marked the 30th Anniversary- all over the country, specifically on Broadway, in the City of Newburgh where a diverse group of around 50 people, many sporting white tee-shirts, with the dark-lettered engraving, “I AM SOMEBODY,” gathered to participate in the inspiring March. Led by District 6 candidate for Orange County Legislator, Gabrielle Hill, holding a microphone, the energetic contingent was carrying those same messages initiated by Farrakhan three decades ago.

“Without unity, there is no community,” affirmed Hill. “Today is all about community, uplifting and understanding.” Hill continued, “Everyone repeat after me, ‘I am somebody;’ hold your head up high today, and let’s all support and uplift each other.”

Walking alongside Hill was Kyle Conway, Vice-President of the Newburgh-Highland Falls NAACP Chapter as well as a Newburgh Enlarged School District teacher.

“We are at war; the same issues continue to exist today as 30 years ago,” emphasized Conway. “Let’s not be shy about community, unity; let’s not be shy about empowering Black men and women.”

After walking around a half a mile, the group- which slowly accumulated more participants along the way- stopped at the bottom of Broadway, assembling around the John Lewis Statue, a tangible reminder of the lasting difference involvement, advocacy and perseverance can make in people’s lives. Here, several people spoke, including a member of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD), several students, all, proud-articulate representatives for the My Brother’s Keeper program, aimed at career-readiness and developing leadership skills in African-American young men- as well as one of its Leaders and NECSD Board Member, Phil Howard, who was at the inaugural Million Man March.

“The March left an indelible mark on me and what we need to do and keep going,” said Howard. “One of the greatest things it taught me was about intergenerational impact and what we want tomorrow to look like; this is our village, and it’s time for us to wake up.”

Howard, who commented upon the several deep, frustrating, and oftentimes elusive issues that exist on a national level, added, “What’s close to home is what makes a difference and brings about change; we have to be the ones to have change and bring it here locally.”