The first ever Women’s Mobilization meeting was held at Mosque Maryam last Saturday. Beautiful women dressed in some of the most colorful attire came from all over Chicago. Young and old came together to hear the personal invitation given by The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. As the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March approaches, the Nation of Islam plans to commemorate the event on Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C.
Unlike 10 years ago when only men were called to march, this 10-year anniversary will include women from around the nation. Mobilization strategist Doris Lewis addressed the purpose of what is being called “The Millions More Movement.”
“Our purpose as women of the Millions More Movement is the same as it has been throughout history, particularly black women, and that is to join our men and put an end to the disconnection of women from their moral and spiritual base; eradicate the absence of father figures and positive male and female role models in the home; we will continue to fight vigorously, with the help of our men and almighty God to put an end to sexism and racism; we will put forth all of our energy to stop violence against women and children; we must turn to God to rid ourselves of substance abuse; we must stop this system from removing black children from black families; and we must stop the incarceration of black women, men, and children.
“These are just a few of the issues impacting today’s women. As we join our men in Washington, D.C. to celebrate and commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March, let us use two excellent models who made enormous contributions to the modern Black Freedom Movement, and who are regarded as servant leaders?”Septima Clark and Ella Baker.” Lewis also thanked her daughter Yoluanda and many friends for their support as this women’s movement prepares for the upcoming march.
When Minister Farrakhan entered, he was greeted by thunderous applause and was flanked by young women in green uniforms who are part of the Muslim Girls Training & General Civilization Class. Farrakhan began by acknowledging Rev. Willie Wilson, pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., who wrote to him and explained that he would feel much better and more inspired if our women were allowed to participate. Farrakhan said he called him immediately and said yes, that Wilson was absolutely correct.
Some excerpts of Minister Farrakhan’s stirring speech to the women: “I was taught by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad that civilization is never measured by a man; it’s measured by the women. Civilization is measured by how good the woman looks. To build a world up, you must start with the female. When someone wants to take the world down, they destroy the education of women.” Farrakhan related to the women the history behind the Willie Lynch letter. A Caribbean plantation owner, Willie Lynch delivered this letter on the banks of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712 to teach slave owners how to control and maintain their slaves. The term “lynching” is derived from his last name.
Farrakhan said, “Men are the maintainer of women. You work hard and produce what is necessary to maintain a union and the children of that union. He is the protector and really he’s supposed to guide. You can’t guide a woman with sex. If he’s dumb enough to think that, the relationship falls apart and starts to tumble down.
“After women were taken out of the home, they began to dress in a new style, hems became shorter. Gradually the clothes came off. Satan has created style to take you down. Now that he’s taken you down, you’re attracting power not of what you think. Women are in a degenerative state. Today you hardly know how to boil an egg, and you want to get married.”
The upcoming Millions More Movement’s 10-point agenda is
1) Unity
2) Spiritual Values
3) Education
4) Economic Development
5) Political Power
6) Reparations
7) Prison Industrial Complex
8) Health
9) Artistic/Cultural Development
10) Peace
Women of other nationalities were also present and Hispanic activist Emma Lazanno, whose brother Rudy was murdered in 1983 in his home and was an important leader in the Hispanic community, also addressed the women.
The messages were of appreciation, value of women, everyone accepting responsibility to change behavior and that everyone can be friends and companions in the struggle for total liberation of black people here and wherever found on this earth.
