FNN Report From the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Story by Serenity Bussey. Photo by Maestro Joyner.

On Saturday August 26, 2023 FNN students traveled to the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Back in 1963, thousands of people marched right here in Washington DC to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. It was during this march that Dr. King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech that still holds a valuable impact on the world today. While at the memorial, we listened to many public speakers and even interviewed a few people in the crowd. 

Aajah Harris is someone I interviewed at the march. When asked what issue she felt most strongly about she replied with, “I'm currently a student so I'm really interested in making sure that us black scholars are fortunate enough to be able to maintain degrees but also be able to afford them and not be left in debt for the rest of our lives.” I also believe that this is a worldwide issue that needs to be fixed. It shouldn’t matter your skin color, if everyone can pay the same tuition.

Next up, I interviewed a young man named Phil McConnell. I asked Phil to say what he was hoping to achieve by coming to the event. He responded, “Just new ways to better the community, schools, everything.” Going out to events like the one on Saturday brings up people’s motivations to go out and make the world a better place.

Some of the injustices that people like Dr. King fought for 60 years ago are still happening today. We, as a people, have to continue to fight and never let up. Think about everything our ancestors fought for and let’s bring change to the world. We cannot let all of their hard work go to waste. We’re the future, so let’s start acting like it.

Serenity Bussey is a freshman and Maestro Joyner is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.