“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” - Marcus Garvey
(Marcus Garvey)
Marcus Garvey was born on August 17th, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. In 1907 he took part in an unsuccessful printer's strike and the experience kindled in him a passion for political activism. In 1910 Garvey left Jamaica and began traveling throughout the Central American region. He lived in Costa Rica for several months and worked as a timekeeper on a banana plantation. In 1911 he began work as editor for a daily newspaper. He then moved to Panama. In 1912 he returned to Jamaica. Garvey combined the economic nationalist ideas of Booker T. Washington and Pan Africanists with the political possibilities and urban style of men and women living outside of plantation and colonial societies. He then moved to London, England. While in London he attended Birkbeck College, taking classes in law and philosophy.
(Garvey in 1912)
He also worked for the “African Times and Orient Review”, published by Dusé Mohamed Ali. In 1914 Garvey went back to Jamaica where he organized the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). In 1916 Garvey visited Tuskegee institute. On May 9th 1916, he held his first public lecture in New York City. In 1917 Garvey and thirteen others formed the first UNIA division outside Jamaica. They began advancing ideas to promote social, political, and economic freedom for black people.
(Garvey in 1917)
In 1918 Garvey began publishing the “Negro World” newspaper in New York. In 1919 the UNIA had 2 million members. Also in 1919 the UNIA set up its first business, incorporating the Black Star Line of Delaware, with Garvey as President. During the first year, the Black Star Line's stock sales brought in $600,000. After the establishment of the Black Star Liner Garvey received criticism from W.E.B. DuBois. This caused a big rivalry between Garvey’ UNIA and Dubois’ NAACP. Also in 1919 a man attempted to kill Garvey and Garvey was wounded from 4 gun shots.
(Garvey in 1919)
In 1920 the UNIA had 4 million members. Also in 1920 Garvey launched the Liberia program intended to build colleges, industrial plants, and railroads as part of an industrial base from which to operate. Also in 1920 Garvey created the red, black and, green Pan African flag. In 1921 the UNIA held an international convention at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Garvey attracted more than 50,000 people to the event and in his cause. Also in 1921 the BOI (now FBI) set up Garvey and charged him for mail fraud. In 1922 Garvey went to Atlanta for a conference with KKK imperial giant Edward Young Clarke, seeking to advance his organization in the South. In 1923 Garvey was sentenced 5 years in prison for mail fraud.
(Garvey in 1923)
He began serving his sentence in 1925. In 1927 Garvey was released. He was then deported back to Jamaica. In 1928 Garvey travelled to Geneva to present the Petition of the Negro Race. This petition outlined the worldwide abuse of Africans to the League of Nations.
(Garvey in 1928)
In 1929 he founded the People's Political Party. Also in 1929 Garvey was elected councilor for the Allman Town Division of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC). In 1931 Garvey launched the Edelweiss Amusement Company. He set the company up to help artists earn their livelihood from their craft. In 1935 Garvey left Jamaica for London.
(Garvey in 1935)
In 1938 he set up the School of African Philosophy in Toronto to train UNIA leaders. On June 10th, 1940 Marcus Garvey died of 2 strokes in London, England. He was 52 years old.
(Garvey’s funeral)
Today is his 130th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Marcus Garvey.
Speeches by Marcus Garvey
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFhksjZYTds “Clip of a powerful Marcus Garvey speech”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpZlN9wzs0 “MARCUS GARVEY SPEECH JULY 1921.avi”
