The Million Man March Pledge

Over one million men standing peacefully on the mall on the west side of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 16, and millions more watching television around the country and the world, raised their hands and took a pledge to improve their lives and the lives of their wives, children and families.

The pledge was one of the highlights of the speech given by Min. Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, one of about 60 or more speakers at this historic Million Man March on Washington. A hush spread over the crowd as Min. Farrakhan asked each man to raise his right hand and take the pledge, as follows:

I - say your name- pledge that from this day forward, I will strive to love my brother as I love myself.

I - say your name - 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 - say your name - pledge that I will strive to build business, build houses, build hospitals, build factories and enter into international trade for the good of myself, my family and my people.

I - say your name - 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 - say your name - 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 - say your name - pledge that from this day forward, I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys or little girls, for sexual gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.

I - say your name - will never again use the "b" word to describe any female, but particularly my own Black sister.

I - say your name - pledge that 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 - say your name - pledge from this day forward that I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts and show respect for themselves and respect for their people and respect for the heirs of the human family.

I - say your name - will do all of this, so help me God.

Min. Farrakhan then asked each man to turn and "hug your brother."