Maya Angelou’s Million Man March Poem was recited at the Million Man March held in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1995. The march, organized by the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, aimed to unite African American men and inspire social, political, and spiritual empowerment. Angelou’s poem captures the collective pain, resilience, and strength of the African American community while offering hope for unity, healing, and progress. Through vivid imagery, rhythmic repetition, and powerful metaphors, Angelou delivers a message of transformation and collective action.
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Table of Contents
Million Man March Poem – Maya Angelou
The night has been long,
~ Million Man March Poem – Maya Angelou
The wound has been deep,
The pit has been dark,
And the walls have been steep.
Under a dead blue sky on a distant beach,
I was dragged by my braids just beyond your reach.
Your hands were tied, your mouth was bound,
You couldn’t even call out my name.
You were helpless and so was I,
But unfortunately throughout history
You’ve worn a badge of shame.
I say, the night has been long,
The wound has been deep,
The pit has been dark
And the walls have been steep.
But today, voices of old spirit sound
Speak to us in words profound,
Across the years, across the centuries,
Across the oceans, and across the seas.
They say, draw near to one another,
Save your race.
You have been paid for in a distant place,
The old ones remind us that slavery’s chains
Have paid for our freedom again and again.
The night has been long,
The pit has been deep,
The night has been dark,
And the walls have been steep.
The hells we have lived through and live through still,
Have sharpened our senses and toughened our will.
The night has been long.
This morning I look through your anguish
Right down to your soul.
I know that with each other we can make ourselves whole.
I look through the posture and past your disguise,
And see your love for family in your big brown eyes.
I say, clap hands and let’s come together in this meeting ground,
I say, clap hands and let’s deal with each other with love,
I say, clap hands and let us get from the low road of indifference,
Clap hands, let us come together and reveal our hearts,
Let us come together and revise our spirits,
Let us come together and cleanse our souls,
Clap hands, let’s leave the preening
And stop impostering our own history.
Clap hands, call the spirits back from the ledge,
Clap hands, let us invite joy into our conversation,
Courtesy into our bedrooms,
Gentleness into our kitchen,
Care into our nursery.
The ancestors remind us, despite the history of pain
We are a going-on people who will rise again.
And still we rise.
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Line-by-Line Meaning of Million Man March Poem
Stanza 1 – Million Man March Poem
The night has been long,
The wound has been deep,
The pit has been dark,
And the walls have been steep.
This stanza reflects the long history of suffering endured by African Americans. The “night” symbolizes a period of hardship, “the wound” represents the scars of slavery and racism, and “the pit” and “walls” evoke a sense of entrapment and struggle to overcome systemic oppression.
Stanza 2 – Million Man March Poem
Under a dead blue sky on a distant beach,
I was dragged by my braids just beyond your reach.
Your hands were tied, your mouth was bound,
You couldn’t even call out my name.
This imagery recalls the brutality of slavery. The “dead blue sky” conveys hopelessness, while the speaker being dragged “beyond your reach” signifies the separation of families during slavery. The “tied hands” and “bound mouth” highlight the powerlessness of the oppressed.
Stanza 3 – Million Man March Poem
But unfortunately throughout history
You’ve worn a badge of shame.
Here, Angelou reflects on how societal narratives have unfairly imposed shame on African Americans, distorting their history and identity.
Stanza 4 – Million Man March Poem
But today, voices of old spirit sound
Speak to us in words profound,
Across the years, across the centuries,
Across the oceans, and across the seas.
The poem shifts to a hopeful tone. Angelou invokes ancestral voices, suggesting that the wisdom and resilience of past generations can guide the present.
Stanza 5 – Million Man March Poem
They say, draw near to one another,
Save your race.
You have been paid for in a distant place,
The old ones remind us that slavery’s chains
Have paid for our freedom again and again.
The ancestors urge unity and self-reliance. They remind the community that the suffering of their predecessors laid the foundation for their freedom, and they must honor this legacy by uplifting one another.
Stanza 6 – Million Man March Poem
The hells we have lived through and live through still,
Have sharpened our senses and toughened our will.
Angelou acknowledges the ongoing struggles but emphasizes how they have strengthened the resilience and determination of African Americans.
Stanza 7 – Million Man March Poem
I know that with each other we can make ourselves whole.
I look through the posture and past your disguise,
And see your love for family in your big brown eyes.
This stanza highlights the power of unity and mutual understanding in healing the community. By looking past external appearances, Angelou recognizes the inherent humanity and love within each person.
Stanza 8 – Million Man March Poem
I say, clap hands and let’s come together in this meeting ground,
I say, clap hands and let’s deal with each other with love,
I say, clap hands and let us get from the low road of indifference,
The act of clapping hands symbolizes celebration, unity, and action. Angelou urges the community to come together with love and reject apathy and division.
Stanza 9 – Million Man March Poem
The ancestors remind us, despite the history of pain
We are a going-on people who will rise again.
The final lines affirm the enduring strength of African Americans. Despite their painful history, they possess the resilience to overcome adversity and rise again, carrying the legacy of their ancestors.
Summary of Million Man March Poem
The poem reflects on the historical and ongoing struggles of African Americans, particularly the trauma of slavery, systemic racism, and societal marginalization. It vividly portrays the pain of the past while emphasizing the strength, wisdom, and resilience inherited from ancestors. Angelou calls for unity, love, and collective healing, urging the community to overcome divisions and honor the sacrifices of those who came before. The poem ends with a message of hope, celebrating the African American community’s capacity to rise above adversity and create a better future.
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Analysis of Million Man March Poem
- Themes:
- Resilience and Strength: Angelou highlights how enduring pain has shaped the determination of African Americans.
- Unity and Healing: The poem stresses the importance of coming together as a community to heal and progress.
- Legacy of Ancestors: The ancestors’ voices serve as a guiding force, reminding the community of their enduring spirit.
- Structure and Tone:
The poem employs repetition, such as the recurring phrase “The night has been long,” to emphasize the prolonged nature of suffering. The tone transitions from somber reflection to hopeful determination, mirroring the journey from pain to empowerment. - Imagery and Symbolism:
- The “dead blue sky” and “steep walls” symbolize the oppressive circumstances of slavery and racism.
- Clapping hands is a metaphor for celebration, action, and solidarity.
- The “big brown eyes” signify love, humanity, and familial bonds.
- Call to Action:
Angelou’s message extends beyond reflection to inspire action, urging the community to reject indifference, embrace love, and work collectively toward a better future.
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