The Farrakhan Factor in the 1996
Elections by Joe Auciello
IN A NOTABLE DEPARTURE from past practice, Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam have issued a call for a Million Man March on Washington for Monday, October 16, 1995. The March is presented as * a protest against the oppression of Black people and a declaration of "our right to justice and our right to determine the future of ourselves and our people." * "a day of atonement" in which the Black Man will apologize to the Black Woman for his sins, his sloth, his personal failures, and will pledge to live up to his personal responsibilities. * a work stoppage and an economic boycott. The date is specifically set for a Monday so that Black men will not go to work that day; Black women will support the march by staying home, buying no products. This boycott will show the power of Blacks in the American economy ("this modern-day Babylon"') by refusing to participate in it for one * a political call to all Black people to leave the Democratic and Republican parties, which have failed to address Black issues and needs, and to re-register as independents. * a call for unity among Black people in the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Revolutionary socialists certainly support many of these demands, but overall the weaknesses of the Nation of Islam's vision and program are too integral a part of the call for a Million Man March on Washington for socialists to support it unreservedly. POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE Nonetheless, it would be short-sighted to downplay or ignore the potential significance of the Nation of Islam's plan for a march on Washington. This is a serious call by a significant organization, one whose influence is increasing. As Ron Daniels wrote in Z magazine in June 1994, "Louis Farrakhan has emerged as the most revered leader among the Black masses. And, his appeal is widespread...Farrakhan has developed a mass following because he is a militant voice tapping into the depths of the agony, pain, and aspirations of many within the African American community at a time when it is clear that Black people are "the wrong complexion to get the protection" in terms of government policies... "
A recent Chicago Sun Times poll reveals a pronounced rise in what might be termed nationalist tendencies in the... African American community. The poll shows a very favorable approval rating for Louis Farrakhan and strong sentiment in favor of a Black political party. The Million Man March on Washington seeks to mobilize some of the most oppressed sectors of the American population against their oppression Given the absence of leadership from traditional civil rights organizations, this march could become the means by which Blacks, especially Black youth, raise their voices most powerfully for freedom, justice, and equality. POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS If successful, this march would alter the political landscape in America. A powerful turnout for the march would place the Nation of Islam in the forefront of Black organizations. If the Nation's call is heeded by significant numbers of Black men and women, then the Nation of Islam could leapfrog over the NAACP, which is financially paralyzed and politically divided. This march, with its call for Blacks to leave the Democratic Party, could also affect a Jesse Jackson presidential campaign. Jackson has recently speculated publicly about a possible run in the Democratic primaries to oppose Clinton. If the Nation of Islam convinces large numbers of Blacks to re-register as independents, then Jackson's political base would be diminished and Farrakhan's would be strengthened. Jackson would need to turn to Farrakhan for support. This scenario, no doubt, is not lost upon Farrakhan. HINDRANCES AND LIMITS There is no guarantee that the Million Man March will be successful. Some of the demands and strategies for building the march are likely to hinder its success and limit its impact, despite the imperative need for massive Black protest. The Nation of Islam's call for "atonement" and the emphasis on moral self-improvement tends to reduce the appeal of the march to those who are already convinced of this point of view. Telling women to remain at home is a further handicap; it reduces the possible numbers for the march and promotes antiquated social relations between the sexes. Black men need to march side by side with Black women, not for them and in place of them. Despite the Nation's fervent appeal for Black unity, and the objective need for such unity, no coalition for the march is seriously projected. "Unity" is to
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* 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? *