excerpts from the May 1996 newsletter of the

MILLION MAN MARCH

Local Organizing Committee - Buffalo


THE MILLION MAN MARCH PLEDGE
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 houses, 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 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.


Henry Curtis, Editor; Adolp Dupree, Layout/Design; Columnists: Eva Doyle, Debra Johnson, Maryam Muhammad, Joseph Wooley.

The Million Man Local Organizing Committee of Buffalo meets every Thursday at the Church of God Tabernacle, 526 High Street 6pm to 8pm. In continuation of the spirit of the Million Man March, the Circle Association is sponsoring a series of meetings in response to the question, " The Million Man March, now what?" The next meeting is 8:30am Saturday May 4, 1996 at Metropolitan United Methodist Church 657 Best Street. We encourage you to attend all events. E-mail Henry Curtis? RETURN TO CIRCLE HOME PAGE?

The Local Organizing Committees Goals and efforts.

  1. Economic Development: Goals: Short term - to immediately establish the African American Economic Development Trust and to begin to receive contributions. Long term - to recapture, develop, nurture, expand, invest, defend, and protect the economic wealth of the African American community. Efforts: We are currently developing a program to identify , certify, and promote Black businesses that provide excellent customer service. We hope to establish and/or support Black-owned financial institutions which will allow the African American community a source for loans and organization funding. We will present economic development market training for small businesses, while encouraging "oneness." Support one another and coalition building betwen businesses and organizations and the Black Church. Our committee includes individuals from the Black Chamber of Commerce, Eastside Business Associations, the Economic Development initiative, and the Black Lawyers Association. The contact persons are Terrence McKelvey, and Marvin Smith.<
  2. Moral and Spiritual: Goals: Short term - to keep the spirit of the Million Man March alive by encouraging and sponsoring spiritual and religous revivals/summits in local communitiies, towns,and cities throughout the United States. Long term - to transform all of movements for social change into God-centered movements. Efforts:

  3. Youth and Community Development: Goals: Short term - to identify youth leaders, organizations, and programs, and to compile all the relevant information into a directory. Long term - to conduct regional youth leadership summits, a national summit, and African Youth Day. Efforts:

  4. Education and Cultural Awareness: Goals: Short term - to gather, through national organzations and other sources, data on what exists in three areas of concern: curriculum, teacher training , and academic tracking. Long term p to develop a comprehensive education strategy to address the long term infrastructure, human and economic development needs of the African American community as we enter the high technonlogy, knowledge intensive, and globally competitive third millennium. Efforts:

  5. Health and Environment: Goals: Short term - to immediately establish the Abundant Life National Health Plan. Long term - to improve the quality of life of African Americans. Efforts:

  6. Communication and Media: Goals: Short term - to establish a national and international African American communications network utilizing the latest technology in communications. Long term - to improve the quality of life of African Americans. Efforts:

  7. Political Mobilization and Voter Registration: Goals: Short term - to help sponsor a National Black Convention in 1996. Long term - to support D.C. statehood. Efforts:

  8. Human Rights, Law, Justice, and Prisoners: Goals: Short term - to seek a moratorium on death sentences , to initiate a national campaign for reparations, and to effectively challenge the so-called "Contract With America." Long term - to end the disproportionate and racially motivated incarceration of African American children, women, and men. Efforts:


    CONTACT Henry Curtis?
    RETURN TO CIRCLE HOME PAGE?
    Million Man March montage