Louis Farrakhan: Million Man March Pledge

Explanation and Analysis of the Document

The Million Man March Pledge was the Reverend Louis Farrakhan’s way of publicly reaffirming the values of the black community in the United States. Considered by many to be the high point of the daylong assembly, it was recited in unison by the attendees of the march at the close of Farrakhan’s long awaited two-hour speech. The speech itself was a dramatic event, with the minister standing behind a bulletproof glass screen, immaculately dressed and surrounded by uniformed Fruit of Islam bodyguards.

Scholars note that it is helpful to interpret and evaluate Farrakhan’s speech and the pledge that followed with an eye toward the historical and current perspectives of the black community. Farrakhan’s success as the most anticipated speaker of the march ties in with his commanding stage presence and effective use of oratory devices such as rhythm, reliance upon myths, and repetition. Rhythm was evident throughout the entire march with the use of music, but it also appeared in Farrakhan’s speech as he varied the volume, pitch, rate, and pauses in his delivery. This tactic reflects the traditional use of rhythm in African culture to enhance spirituality and connection to God. According to Jessica M. Henry in an article for the Howard Journal of Communications, “African Americans tend to use mythoforms to help explain the human condition, to preserve links to the past, and as an answer to the problem of existence in a racist society.” Farrakhan used this approach when he quoted Negro spirituals and passages from the Bible during his speech; he explained the condition of African Americans by connecting the past and present through these stories.

Repetition is a device that helps an audience remember a speaker’s message; it also allows an orator to move from one level of intensity to another. The pledge was a good example of the effective use of repetition. Farrakhan repeated the obvious themes of the march—atonement, reconciliation, and responsibility—and continually brought his audience back to the importance of God and religion. For every request in the Pledge, Farrakhan asked the men to recite after him: “I [insert your name here] pledge that from this day forward I will”—thereby emphasizing the personal nature of the promises that were made by the audience.

The purpose of the pledge was to mobilize and organize the men into action. Its first two sentences provide an overview of the ways black men must improve to benefit themselves, their families, and their people. They are asked to make an ongoing commitment to living fuller and more meaningful lives and building strong, loving families. The third sentence suggests ways to better the African American community economically. Specifically, Farrakhan and the organizing committee called on the audience to contribute to a Black Economic Development Fund to build up black communities. They began by taking donations that day and urged participants to continue to pledge money to this fund when possible. They also called for a massive voter registration drive to jumpstart political activity among blacks and help enact meaningful legislation to better the lives of people of color in the United States.

The second paragraph asks black men to take responsibility for their families and to cease the abuse of black women and children. The language is surprisingly direct and targets the very destructive nature of domestic abuse. Farrakhan reiterates his request for black men to be accountable and dependable while they build family relationships based upon equality and mutual respect.

The last paragraph calls for community involvement in the struggle against drugs, crime, and violence and seeks stronger actions to end poverty and increase employment. Farrakhan suggests that black men needed to organize and support positive role models for black youth and support black media outlets as a way to improve the image of blacks in America. He emphasizes the need for volunteerism and strong leadership to correct the societal problems within black communities.