Million Man March Panel Says Social Issues Still Plague Community 28 Years Later

(Watch the panel discussion in its entirety in the link above.)

The free event was held on Oct. 16, from 4-6 p.m. at the Atlantic City Campus of Stockton University in the Fannie Lou Hamer Room.

Elder Gregory Nelson, presiding elder of the Historic Atlantic County District, New Jersey Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Sandra Jowers-Barber, PH.D. who is a public and oral history consultant, and Michael T. Muhammad, student of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan will be featured guests.

Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz moderated the discussion.

Text of the pledge that Minister Louis Farrakhan asked Black men to take on October 16, 1995, during the Million Man March on Washington, D.C.

I PLEDGE that from this day forward I will strive to love my brother as I love myself. I, from this day forward, will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally, socially, politically and economically for the benefit of myself, my family and my people. I pledge that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories and enter into international trade for the good of myself, my family and my people.

I PLEDGE that from this day forward I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense. I pledge from this day forward I will never abuse my wife by striking her, disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future. I pledge that from this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys or little girls for sexual gratification. For I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.

I WILL never again use the ‘B word’ to describe any female, but particularly my Black sisters. I pledge from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and my well-being. I pledge from this day forward I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people and respect for the ears of the human family. I will do all of this, so help me God.

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