The Million Man March Pledge is a pledge written by The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and given to those who showed up to the Million Man March on October 16, 1995.
The pledge is guidance to people to lead a better life. One of the Nation of Islam’s ministers Minister Tony Muhammad made it his mission to get the Million Man March Pledge out to people, inside of The Way to Happiness. This had massive effects in Los Angeles and in nearby areas.
“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 own Black sister. 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.”
What are the similarities and the shared purposes of The Way to Happiness and this pledge? Let’s take a look. Both of them open with taking care of & improving yourself. The both talk about improving your family. Then, the Pledge talks about building businesses and making trade; The Way to Happiness says to “Be Competent”, and “Be Industrious”.
The Million Man March Pledge talks about not using violence against anyone except in self-defense, and The Way to Happiness says “Do Not Murder”, “Do Not Steal” and “Do Not Harm a Person of Good Will”. The goals and messages are the same.
Then towards the end of the Million Man March Pledge, there is a strong request to support Black artists, radio, TV, etc. In The Way to Happiness, it talks about “Try to Treat Others The Way You Want to Be Treated” and “Flourish and Prosper”. You can only prosper with and through groups.
This is one reason why our religions help each other and get along so well. We both have similar goals and want for people to RISE UP and become stronger, more able, more aware and more in the image of God.
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