Is This What Heaven Looks Like?

On May 10th, 1995, I turned 19 years old. A few weeks later on May 26, 1995 I started attending Nation of Islam Mosque No. 8 located in San Diego, CA. 

Just a few months afterwards, we, F.O.I ( Fruit of Islam) started promotion the Million Man March.

We were signing men up to attend and we were selling special additional of The Final Call Newspaper for $2.00.

I only been to one state Oklahoma and two other city besides Tulsa, San Jose, and Los Angeles before going to the Million Man March.

Originally, I was going to fly but I decided to ride the bus with some of the Brothers (Fruit of Islam), that, I became close with.

The day, we were preparing to leave to Washington, D. C. a young Brother who was only 16 and who was a Crip wanted to get on the bus but he did not have any money.

So collectively, we donated all the money we had to get the Brother on the bus. 

I believe, the cost was $350. So most of us was heading to Washington, D. C. broke and we had it in our minds that we were going to fast (not eat).

But Allah (God) is the best of planners not knowingly, food was donated for us Brothers to eat.

When we arrived to Washington around 5am it was announced on the radio that there was already a Million Men there on the mall making prayer.

From the bus, we had to catch the train and if I remember, the local city train was free that day.

I took my boom box with me and while we were making our way to the Capital mall, I was playing the tape of one of the Nation of Islam rap group called: “X Niggas.”

They had a song dedicated to the Million Man March.

When we arrived on the mall is was packed, men standing shoulder to shoulder. We had to squeeze through Brothers to get where we wanted to go.

During the Million Man March, I had over 100 Final Call Newspapers, some incenses, Million Man March stickers and buttons that I was blessed to sell out of.

Again, I went to Washington, D. C. broke and I left with about $750 or more.

That was not the highlight moment that I will never forget….

The highlight moment was when after walking around the mall for a long period of time selling the merchandise I had.

 I said out loud, talking to myself, that, I needed some water.

One of the Brothers (some man), overheard me and he said, “Brother needs some water pass it down.” Other, men was saying to other men, “Brother needs some water, pass it down.”

Then…. I saw, a water bottle coming. That moment tears came to my eyes and I asked myself is this what heaven looks like?

LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH!!