The March: A Documentary

In class today, we watched a moving film about the historic March on Washington in 1963. The documentary was narrated by actor Denzel Washington, whose soothing voice illustrated the intricit details of the the organization and execution of the March. Most secondary history classes only teach the general concept of the March and only typically mention Martin Luther King and JFK; however, the March was orchestrated by a team of African American Civil Rights leaders that represented an array of different groups. The film also highlights a little known fact that the March was actually designed for both "jobs and freedom" and not just Civil Rights.

Other individuals who helped to orchestrate and lead the March included A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, and others. Randolph, Rustin, and King rallied Civil Rights leaders from across the country to spread the word about the rally and organize transportation for the event. Organizers chartered buses, planes, and trains to transport people from across the country. In total, more than 250,000 people marched. The video also discusses the role that President JFK played in helping to set up the March as well as the influence that Hollywood stars played. The impact of the March was monumental, as it is credited with leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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