Marcus Garvey

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Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey (17 August 1887 – 10 June 1940) was a prominent Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator. He was a staunch proponent of the Pan-Africanism movement, which sought to unify and connect people of African descent worldwide. Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL), through which he promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands.

Early Life

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica, to Marcus Mosiah Garvey Sr., a mason, and Sarah Jane Richards, a domestic worker. He was the youngest of eleven siblings, though only two survived to adulthood. Garvey's early education was in Jamaica, where he developed a passion for reading and self-education.

Career and Activism

Garvey moved to Kingston, Jamaica, in 1906, where he worked as a printer and later became involved in union activities. In 1910, he traveled throughout Central America, working as a newspaper editor and learning about the conditions of migrant workers. He later moved to London, where he attended Birkbeck, University of London and worked for the African Times and Orient Review.

In 1914, Garvey returned to Jamaica and founded the UNIA-ACL. The organization aimed to promote social, political, and economic freedom for black people. In 1916, Garvey moved to the United States and established the UNIA headquarters in Harlem, New York City. He launched several businesses, including the Negro World newspaper, the Black Star Line shipping company, and the Negro Factories Corporation.

Philosophy and Beliefs

Garvey's philosophy was rooted in Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism. He believed in the economic, political, and cultural independence of black people. Garvey advocated for the establishment of a separate nation for black people in Africa and encouraged African Americans to be proud of their heritage and to work towards self-sufficiency.

Legal Troubles and Later Life

In 1923, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in connection with the Black Star Line. He was sentenced to five years in prison, a conviction many believe was politically motivated. After serving part of his sentence, Garvey was deported to Jamaica in 1927. He continued his activism but never regained the influence he once had. Garvey spent his final years in London, where he died in 1940.

Legacy

Marcus Garvey's ideas and activism had a profound impact on the global black community. He inspired future civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Garvey is considered a national hero in Jamaica, and his birthday is celebrated as a public holiday.

Related Pages

• Pan-Africanism
• Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League
• Black Nationalism
• Harlem Renaissance
• Black Star Line
• Negro World