Million Man March T-Shirt

Object Details

Medium: cotton, dye
Dimensions: 29 3/4 × 30 11/16 in. (75.5 × 78 cm); Other (Sleeve): 8 7/16 in. (21.5 cm)

Caption: This cotton t-shirt commemorates the Million Man March, which took place on October 16, 1995 in Washington, DC. In the pan-African colors of unity, the front of the white t-shirt depicts rows of marchers in red, black, and green above grey text reading “MILLON MAN MARCH.” Text below the rectangular design repeats the March’s name and continues, “WASHINGTON, DC / A day of Atonement, Rededication, Recommitment.” The shirt’s back features an image, in brown and black, of two interlocked arms, one above lifting one below. Additional text reads, “A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE / the ONE MILLION MAN MARCH / WASHINGTON, DC / MISSION: REDEEM, RENEW, RESPECT OURSELVES.” Controversial for its co-organizer, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the Million Man March promoted African American unity, especially among African American men. The March approached the number in its name, becoming one of the largest gatherings in American history at the time.