The Message from the Stand for Children
March
by Subashini Ganesan, Center for Advancement
of Public Policy
The Stand for Children
March, on June 21st, bore very little
resemblance to a typical Washington,
D.C. rally. No political leaders were
invited to rouse the crowd; Bernice
Reagan of Sweet Honey in the Rock, singing
protest/movement songs, was overshadowed
by popular music artists singing their
latest billboard hits; there were no
angry, shouting protesters, only giggling
children, getting their faces painted
and taking quick dips in the Reflecting
Pool. And most striking, the speakers
at the rally challenged the American
people, and not policy makers, to make
a change.
The message of this big
celebration was strong and clear - the
children of America need the support
of their family and community to have
a wholesome life and be prepared for
a productive future. An estimated 250,000
people showed their commitment to this
goal by participating in this march,
which will go down in history as the
first to be called by an African American
woman, Marian Wright Edelman of the
Children's Defense Fund.
The entire event was
beautiful and breathtaking - the impressive
2000 voice children's choir, the solemn
yet touching service led by 77 religious
leaders, the sea of children that marched
from Arlington National Cemetery to
the Lincoln Memorial, and the myriad
children's groups, like the New York
City Kids and UPO Headstart Youth Programs,
who showed their dedication through
their uplifted spirits and colorful
banners.
Marian Edelman's dynamic
speech called on parents, grandparents,
siblings, friends, community members
and religious leaders to become more
involved in supporting children. "We
stand today at the Lincoln Memorial
as American families and as an American
community to commit ourselves to putting
our children first...and we commit ourselves
to insuring all our children have a
healthy and a safe passage to adulthood."
The reaction to this
march has been mixed. Political conservatives
are accusing the organizers of exploiting
children to strengthen the liberal agenda.
Liberals are lamenting that Edelman
did not make enough of a political statement
with this march. However, both sides
have chosen to ignore the broader issue
that Stand for Children was addressing.
In Edelman's words, "This is a day about
rekindling our children's hope and renewing
our faith in each other and in our great
nation's future. It is about America's
ideals and not about any group's ideology."
To keep the positive energy that was
generated by the march from fizzling,
the organizing committee has set up
a Keep Standing for Children!
campaign. It gives useful guidelines
to help families and communities to
support children in various ways. For
further information on how to stand
for the children who touch our lives
contact
Stand for Children at (800) 663-4032
or write to:
P.O. Box 75358
Washington, D.C. 20013-5358.
You can also visit their website
at http://www.stand.org
WOMANSWORD, Vol. 1, July, 1996.
