A request for absence

If you can't fit the Million Man March into your schedule, supporters of the event are suggesting an alternative -- stay home.
Some supporters of the march are asking African American students to skip class next Monday, Oct. 16, in respect of what is being billed as a "Day of Absence."

"Are you willing to sacrifice just one day for your people?" asked Johnny Wright, after an African Black Student Union-sponsored rally Tuesday.

African Americans are also being urged to refrain from spending any money or going to work.

The march, organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and former National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Executive Director Ben Chavis, is expected to bring at least 500,000 African American men from all over the country to the nation's capital, according to organizers and government officials quoted in daily newspapers.

Organizers say the day of the march, which is also referred to as a "Day of Atonement," is an opportunity for black men to unite and acknowledge responsibility for themselves and their families.
"How can you not be down with a million black men marching on Washington?" asked Sean Clinton, a member of ABSU.

Damon Curtis, a civil engineering major who plans to be in school Monday, said attending classes won't get in the way of reflecting on atonement.

"I can go to class and still have time to do that. There's no reason why the two can't go hand in hand," he said

Political science major Monica Brown will also most likely come to school Monday. She said expecting students not to spend any money is impractical.

"I'll probably not go out and buy a new outfit, but I'm going to have to get food," she said.

Speakers at the rally urged students to buy whatever they needed the day before the march. The point of not spending any money Monday is to show the economic impact African Americans have in the country, speakers said.

Kelly Brightman, a biology major, who had planned to attend class on the day of the march, changed her mind after attending the rally.
"I will boycott classes. I will be reading up on my black history at home," she said.

Speakers at the rally told African American students who decide to attend class they will be undermining the efforts of the march.
"Don't be a sellout," Clinton said to about fifty students gathered in Malcolm X Plaza.

Wright added that African American students who attend classes Monday will feel very self-conscious, because they will be the few on campus who show up.

"The guilt will eat them up inside," Wright said.

Black studies professor Laura Head is not convinced there is huge support for boycotting classes at SF State.

"I don't think there will be a day of absence. I haven't seen a serious organizing effort," she said.

According to the clerical assistant at the ethnic studies department, the black studies department is not cancelling classes, but is instead leaving the decision to individual instructors.

Head, who doesn't teach class on Mondays, said she would not cancel class even if she did meet.

"I don't miss class unless I have to," she said.

She also said the march is not the most effective way of reaching out to the African American community.

"It is an inefficient use of time and resources that could have been used for economic empowerment in local communities," Head said.
Amber Bowman, activities coordinator for ABSU, said she will miss two classes and work on Monday.

"I'll probably stay home and watch the march on TV with my family," she said.

Students who decide not to go to class are encouraged to stay home or attend religious or other community events.
While some students are planning to miss work and class, others on campus simply do not know enough about the march to make a decision.

"I'm going to do everything I normally do," said Robert B., a part-time student majoring in marketing.

[ Golden Gater Online October 12, 1995 ]

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