On October 11th, 2015, Charles M. Blow wrote his article, Million Man March, 20 years on, in which he discussed the “Justice or Else” rally and one its main speakers Louis Farrakhan. Blow focuses on the fact that although Farrakhan is speaking for equality he discriminates against both women and the L.G.B.T. community.
One of Blow’s main points is that by having Farrakhan as such an important speaker in the rally, their purpose might be skewered. As it clearly states on the “Justice or Else” website, “We want justice! We want equal justice under the law. We want justice applied equally regardless to creed or class or color.” This shows that their goal is an honorable one, wanting equality and justice, for people to be treated as people not treated as African or Caucasian, or man or woman, or straight or gay, just as people.
In fact, Blow states, “Men in the black gay community were conflicted about whether to come, both because of homophobic statements made by supporters of the march and by Farrakhan,” (Blow). This rally was created to help people like them, so they can be around people who share or respect their views, and if they don’t feel welcomed, then is there truly a point for the rally? The answer is simple, the rally is important, but Farrakhan and his views are outdated and need to be taken out of the rally in order to aid the rally in completing its goals. Although his ideas of limited equality aided in the past to begin the change, now equality must become a broader topic in order to cover everyone.
-Jett
Sources:
Charles M. Blow’s article:
"Million Man March, 20 Years On." The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Oct. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/opinion/million-man-march-20-years-on.html?rref=collection/column/charles-m-blow>.
“Justice or Else” website:
"Vision for Justice Or Else! Million Man March 20th Anniversary." Justice Or Else. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.justiceorelse.com/vision>.
Picture:
"Louis Farrakhan." Flickr. Yahoo! Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/publicresourceorg/494024024/>.
One of Blow’s main points is that by having Farrakhan as such an important speaker in the rally, their purpose might be skewered. As it clearly states on the “Justice or Else” website, “We want justice! We want equal justice under the law. We want justice applied equally regardless to creed or class or color.” This shows that their goal is an honorable one, wanting equality and justice, for people to be treated as people not treated as African or Caucasian, or man or woman, or straight or gay, just as people.
In fact, Blow states, “Men in the black gay community were conflicted about whether to come, both because of homophobic statements made by supporters of the march and by Farrakhan,” (Blow). This rally was created to help people like them, so they can be around people who share or respect their views, and if they don’t feel welcomed, then is there truly a point for the rally? The answer is simple, the rally is important, but Farrakhan and his views are outdated and need to be taken out of the rally in order to aid the rally in completing its goals. Although his ideas of limited equality aided in the past to begin the change, now equality must become a broader topic in order to cover everyone.
-Jett
Sources:
Charles M. Blow’s article:
"Million Man March, 20 Years On." The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Oct. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/opinion/million-man-march-20-years-on.html?rref=collection/column/charles-m-blow>.
“Justice or Else” website:
"Vision for Justice Or Else! Million Man March 20th Anniversary." Justice Or Else. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.justiceorelse.com/vision>.
Picture:
"Louis Farrakhan." Flickr. Yahoo! Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/publicresourceorg/494024024/>.