The angel of Black success : Marcus Garvey

Primary Sources: Africa for the Africans

Excerpt from the Negro World, Vol. XII, No. 10?
New York, Saturday, April 22, 1922

Fellow men of the Negro Race, Greeting:
For four and a half years the Universal Negro Improvement Association has been advocating the cause of Africa for the Africans -- that is, that the Negro peoples of the world should concentrate upon the object of building up for themselves a great nation in Africa.
When we started our propaganda toward this end several of the so-called intellectual Negroes who have been bamboozling the race for over half a century said that we were crazy, that the Negro peoples of the western world were not interested in Africa and could not live in Africa. One editor and leader went so far as to say at his Pan-African Congress that American Negroes could not live in Africa, because the climate was too hot. All kinds of arguments have been adduced by these Negro intellectuals against the colonization of Africa by the black race. Some said that the black man would ultimately work out his existence alongside of the white man in countries founded and established by the latter. Therefore, it was not necessary for Negroes to seek an independent nationality of their own. The old time stories of "Africa fever," "African bad climate," "African mosquitoes," "African savages," have been repeated by these "brainless intellectuals" of ours as a scare against our people in America and the West Indies taking a kindly interest in the new program of building a racial empire of our own in our Motherland.


A "Program" at Last?I trust that the Negro peoples of the world are now convinced that the work of the Universal Negro Improvement Association is not a visionary one, but very practical, and that it is not so far fetched, but can be realized in a short while if the entire race will only co-operate and work toward the desired end. Now that the work of our organization has started to bear fruit, we find that some of these 'doubting Thomases" of the three and four years ago are endeavoring to mix themselves up with the popular idea of rehabilitating Africa in the interest of the Negro. They are now advancing spurious "programs" and in a short while will endeavor to force themselves upon the public as advocates and leaders of the African idea.
It is felt that those who have followed the career of the Universals Negro Improvement Association will not allow themselves to be deceived by these Negro opportunists who have always sought to live off the ideas of other people.

The Dream of a Negro Empire
It is only a question of a few more years when Africa will be completely colonized by Negroes, as Europe is by the white race. It is for us to welcome the proffered help of such men as Senators McCullum and France. Though their methods are a little different to that of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, yet it is felt that the same object will be achieved. What we want is an independent African nationality, and if America is to help the Negro peoples of the world establish such a nationality, then we welcome the assistance.
It is hoped that when the time comes for American and West Indian Negroes to settle in Africa, they will realize their responsibility and their duty. It will not be to go to the natives, but it shall be the purpose of the Universal Negro Improvement Association to have established in Africa the brotherly co-operation which will make the interest of the African native and the American and West Indies Negro one and the same, that is to say, we shall enter into a common partnership to build up Africa in the interest of our race.

Your obedient servant,
Marcus Garvey, President General
Universal Negro Improvement Association
New York, April 18, 1922

Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican-born black nationalist who created a 'Back to Africa' movement in the United States. He became an inspirational figure for later civil rights activists. He has been called the angel of Black success. He was a formidable public speaker because he motivated African-Americans to be proud of their race. From 1910 to 1912, Garvey travelled in South and Central America and also visited London.

He returned to Jamaica in 1914 and founded his organization, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

In 1919, Garvey founded the Black Star Line, to provide transportation to Africa, and the Negro Factories Corporation to encourage black economic independence.

In 1922, Garvey was arrested for mail fraud in connection with the sale of stock in the Black Star Line. Garvey was sent to prison and deported to Jamaica. In 1935, he moved permanently to London where he died on 10 June 1940. 

 

The Negro World was a newspaper established in January 1918 to express the ideas of the organization. Garvey contributed a front-page editorial each week in which he developed the organization's position on different issues related to people of African ancestry around the world, in general, and the U.N.I.A., in particular. Eventually reaching a circulation of five hundred thousand, the newspaper was printed in several languages. It contained a page specifically for women readers, documented international events related to people of African ancestry, and was distributed throughout the African diaspora until publication ceased in 1933. 

 

Newspaper

We can see in this newspaper that the two words "Negro" and "World" are clearly put forward. Also, the word "Negro" appears three times. The sentence "AFRICA, THE LAND OF HOPE AND PROMISE FOR NEGRO PEOPLES OF THE WORLD" can reflect the desire for independence. The question: “ WILL NEGROES ALLOW THE WHITES TO TAKE AFRICA?” encourages Negro people to fight to defend their interests. With all these elements, It's obvious that this newspaper has been created for specific readers: Negro people who defend the cause of Africans.

Text 

 
The text is an excerpt from the Negro World. It's composed of 6 paragraphs and 3 parts.
First, Garvey employs a good English, understandable, and very clear. The sentences are simple and the vocabulary is accessible to all readers.
Then, the structure of the text shows clearly that he is committed to the cause of Africans and he takes part of this. In fact, there is a repetition of words "black" , "Africa", “Negro” “race” to insist and attracts the reader attention.
Also, the use of "I", "We" shows his commitment, his desire to defend the Negro's cause.
We can notice that all words are important and have a specific significance:

• Negative connotation : "African bad climate" "African mosquitoes," "African savages," "brainless intellectuals". The use of these negative word can be employ to become aware and to encourage a real change.
• Positive connotation : "independence", "responsibility", “rehabilitating” “The Dream of a Negro Empire”. These words contrast clearly with the others and show the beginning of the change.
  
  
  Furthermore, we can see the use of the future. It reflects the belief in the future, in a possible change thanks to the Universal Negro improvement Association. The vocabulary of faith is also present: “I trust” “convinced”. In the text, Garvey explains the necessity of this Association: “It is only a question of a few more years”.
  
  Finally, Marcus Garvey greets people, introducing himself like a "servant" to show them all his devotion for its folk.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/garvey/filmmore/fd.html

Posted by Alicia MAY