MarcusGarvey

Marcus Garvey brought inspiration to many and spoke of many people’s dreams and desires. He led the largest black movement in all of history, although there were many obstacles he had to overcome to successfully create the change he imagined. Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica, on August 17, 1887, in the little town of St. Anne’s Bay. He grew up in a family that had a very strong sense of closeness and unity, similar to most Jamaican families. He watched his father stand up for himself at all costs whenever he was struggling. This atmosphere encouraged Marcus to pursue his goals and not let anything stand in his way. This is how he found the courage to succeed in life, even if the color of his skin could hinder his success. Marcus expressed to his followers that the color of their skin signified a glorious symbol of national greatness. He brought hope to many people’s lives. (Cronon, pg.4-6)

When Marcus was fourteen he had to drop out of school and get a job to help support his family financially. He got a job in Kingston, Jamaica at a printing press with his godfather. This taught Marcus the printing trade and many journalistic techniques that helped him out later on in life. By the time Marcus was twenty he became a master printer and got the stimulation to start organizing public meetings in favor of his fellow workers. This started his life as an orator. He also developed the speaking skills he needed in order to uplift a group of people that felt they had no opportunities in society. Through these public meetings and encouragement from a well-educated Negro, Dr. Love, Marcus realized that he had the chance to improve the life of black workers. This is when he realized he had to devote his life to establishing a program to enlighten all black people of their opportunities in this world. (Cronon, pg.11-14)

Garvey, then went to Costa Rica where he anticipated making enough money to come back to Jamaica and start his organization. But he continued to travel and went to Limon, Panama, and London were he established a few newspapers and saw the conditions of black people in various places. In 1914, Garvey came home to Jamaica and was ready to start his program and liberate his race. Garvey was determined that the black man would not continue to be kicked about by all the other races and nations of the world, and a new world of black men, not peons, serfs, dogs, and slaves, but a nation of sturdy men making their impress upon civilization and causing a new light to dawn upon the human race. (Cronon, 16)

With these motives Garvey entitled his organization the Universal Negro Improvement and Conservation Association and African Communities League. He wanted to bring the black race together and show the people how to have race pride and love. (Cronon, pg.14-16)

In Jamaica, Garvey started his movement but did not find the support he wished for from the black community. Many black people disliked him, because they did not want to classify themselves as Negro’s. Ironically in Jamaica his largest supporters were white, they wanted to better the life of the Negro’s in Jamaica. This did not discourage Garvey and he decided to see if could receive more support for his program in the United States. He wrote to the founder of the Tuskegee Institute and received an eager invitation to come to the United States to share their ideas. He went to the United States on March 23, 1916, hoping to seek help from Booker T. Washington, but by the time Garvey got to the United States Washington passed away. (Cronon, pg. 18-20)

When Garvey got to New York, he found many Negro Americans were eager to hear what he had to say, because he got there at a time when there were not many opportunities for black people. There was an enormous difference in the reaction of the Negro’s in Jamaica and the United States, but Garvey saw the conditions in both countries to be the primary reason. It was just at the end of World War I and many people in the United States did not have any way to improve their life. As well with the abolishment of slavery, there was an increase in mobility out of the South. (Cronon, pg. 21-22) Marcus was a powerful radical black leader that many found inspiring to follow. He established the Negro World, newspaper so he could express his ideas and philosophies; Garvey’s motto was "One God, One Aim, One Destiny." Garvey also set off to establish his international organization, which he knew, would rise. The U.N.I.A (Universal Negro Improvement Association.) was founded in 1917 and contained 2,000 members within three weeks. (Cronon, pg.43, 46-46)

The U.N.I.A. was established so Marcus could promote his famous slogan "Africa for the Africans," and encourage his back to Africa movement. Garvey’s organization was growing at such a large pace. He was even traveling around the United States to further branch out the association. The Negro’s World carried news that spread the activities of the U.N.I.A. to many people; this helped keep the organization together and efficient. The newspaper encouraged the subscribers and let them express their ideas on various issues, if they wanted to mail in an article it was accepted and appreciated. (Clarke pg.9)

Garvey also formed the Black Star Line Steamship Company to transport black people back to Africa. There was stock sold for this company to any black person that had the desire to travel back to Africa. This was Garvey’s way of putting his words in action. (Clarke, pg.95) Many people thought the idea of actually buying a boat to transport people back to Africa was a ridiculous idea, but Garvey did not let this stop him. He purchased his first ship, named the Yarmouth, which could hold 1,452 gross tons. It took the Yarmouth time to get the necessary funds to go on its first voyage, but in November 1919 the ship was ready for its first voyage. (Cronon, pg.53) Later the Black Star Line bought three more ships and with struggle these voyages continued to Africa. Most of Garvey’s voyages, including his first, had a few problems it had to overcome before sailing out to the sea. Garvey had problems both insuring and financing the ships. Also, his only support came from his followers and was looked down upon by the majority of the population.

On January 12, 1922, the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover arrested Garvey of mail fraud and stock irregularities related to the Black Star Line. J. Edgar Hoover was very eager to destroy all black radicals; he had strong intentions of terminating Marcus Garvey’s movement. At first, he was looking to charge Garvey with criminal activity, but could only accuse him of mail fraud. Hoover sent secret agents into Garvey’s gatherings to investigate his actions. Hoover went as far as trying to deny Garvey a visa when he was coming back to United States from Central America and the West Indies. Garvey was able to get a visa, but Hoover did succeed in ending Garvey’s career in the United States. When Garvey was arrested he tried to appeal his convictions, but they were never accepted. President Calvin Coolidge altered his sentence and Garvey was deported back to Jamaica in 1927. (duCille, 6-8) When Garvey returned home to Jamaica there were many people that were enthusiastic about his arrival. This gave Garvey the courage and inspiration to continue spreading his ideas and gathering people together.

Through all of Garvey’s battles he brought together a race that had no direction and gave them hope and opportunity. Even though, he was forced to leave the United States he accomplished the largest black movement in history. Garvey’s emphasis on African nationalism is shown through his militant old Jamaican missionary hymn:

Ethiopia, thou land of our fathers,

Thou land where the gods loved to be,

As storm cloud at night suddenly gathers

Our armies come rushing to thee.

We must in the fight be victorious

When swords are thrust outward to gleam;

For us will the vict’ry be glorious

When led by the red, black, and green.

Advance, advance to victory,

Let Africa be free;

Advance to meet the foe

With the might

Of the red, the black, and the green. (Cronon, 68)

Garvey passed away on June 10,1940, he was ill for a few

years, but stayed strong on the outside. (Clarke, 343)

Garvey never gave up hope on his movement and his life

impacted his followers when he was alive and his legend

lives on in his spirit.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT GARVEY'S I-SPIRATION TO D RASTAFARI MOVEMANT!