The Buzz: POWER Personified—A Million Man March

On Sunday, June 14, my social media platforms filled with images of Black men dressed in their best attire walking the streets of Columbia, SC. Being born and raised in Orangeburg, SC, I was thrilled to see so many people that I knew, whether personally or through mutual friends, attend this event. A local group, Rise of A Nation, organized Columbia’s Million Man March, inspired by the original March that took place in Washington, DC, in 1995.  

The Lead Organizer of this week’s event, Leo Jones, wanted this to be a response to news coverage that he said overemphasized the looting and rioting that occurred after peaceful protesting. I could not agree with him more. It has been disheartening to see the amount of light that media outlets intentionally shine on these negatively-perceived events—adding fuel to an already heightened flame of adverse narratives about those fighting for racial justice. I believe Jones succeeded in his mission. This march was powerful, this march was purposeful, and this march was necessary: a true display of Black Excellence, which went far beyond the clothing.   

Sunday, the crowd gathered at Martin Luther King Park and peacefully marched to the State House. An 18-wheeler flatbed truck led the way, playing music and inspirational speeches from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The Columbia chief of police, Skip Holbrook, attended the march as well, and police officers assisted with blocking off intersections. Some police were even seen locking arms with march participants as they walked in unison. The crowd chanted “No Justice, No Peace” and shouted the names of Black Americans who have been killed by police. This crowd was not only made up of men, but women and children as well. I reached out to a woman I attended high school with as her images with her son on social media moved me. Her pictures were captioned with a brief detail of answering her young son when he asked why George Floyd was killed.  

Whitnee Clark, a 30-year-old Loan Officer, attended the march with son, who is 8. When asked why she attended the march, she replied, “I can remember sitting on the couch in disbelief as CNN was notifying the world of [George Floyd’s] murder. All I could think about was that I, too, am raising a black boy in a world who will judge him based off the color of his skin. I could not stop thinking of his mother’s pain.” She also noted that she would like to “encourage parents to enlighten their children on the reality of what’s going on today in our country.” She mentioned that this march was a great visual experience that easily led to an open discussion with her son about the injustices that African Americans face.

Once the march reached the State House, there were several individuals who addressed the crowd. There were songs sung, spoken word recited, and speeches given. In addition to the speakers, another great aspect of the march is that it provided an opportunity for attendees to register to vote. Several tents were set up on the State House grounds that welcomed march participants preceding the event. To be able to vote in this country is extremely important and plays a pivotal role in initiating change.  

I commend Leo and all the organizations involved in making this march a reality and for reaching the masses. Thousands of people were in attendance on Sunday. There are so many positive and powerful images of this march circling the web, and I encourage you to view those that were captured on Sunday in Columbia, SC. It is my hope that this article will support Rise of a Nation in combating the negative stereotypes and narratives too often portrayed in the media.