“THE LION OF THE BLACK WORLD”

Описание: I. DEEP HISTORY OF MARCUS GARVEY (1887–1940)
1. Early Life & Upbringing
Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born on August 17, 1887, in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, into a humble but intellectually rich household.
His father, Marcus Garvey Sr., was a mason, landowner, and an avid reader, with a large personal library — unusual for Black Jamaicans of that era.
His mother, Sarah Jane Richards, was a domestic worker who instilled discipline, self-respect, and spiritual grounding.
Garvey grew up witnessing:
• Severe racial inequality in colonial Jamaica
• Colorism between lighter and darker-skinned Blacks
• Class divisions imposed by colonial structures
• The humiliation of African-descended people
• The erasure of African history in schools
These experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to racial pride, Black unity, and global liberation.
At age 14, he became an apprentice printer and later a foreman — a rare position for a young Black man. That work exposed him to:
• The power of information and the press
• Labor exploitation
• Political movements
• Global news on racial injustice
This early exposure fueled his desire to educate and organize African people worldwide.
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2. His World Travels (1909–1914)
Garvey worked in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and Ecuador, witnessing the brutal labor conditions faced by Black workers building European-owned projects.
He then traveled to London, where he studied:
• African history
• Political economy
• Public speaking
• Organizational leadership
In London, he encountered the writings of:
• Booker T. Washington (self-reliance, industry)
• Edward Blyden (Pan-African philosophy)
• John Stuart Mill (political thought)
These ideas grounded his mission:
“A united Africa and empowered Black race everywhere.”
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3. The Birth of UNIA (1914–1920)
In 1914, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
He moved to the United States in 1916, where he delivered electrifying speeches about Black unity, enterprises, global pride, and repatriation to Africa.
By the early 1920s, UNIA became:
• The largest Black organization in history
• Over 6 million members worldwide
• Offices in Caribbean, USA, Central America, South America, Canada, Europe, and all African regions
Garvey championed:
• Self-reliance
• Black economic independence
• Global unity across the diaspora
• Returning African dignity
• Rebuilding Africa into a united, powerful nation
His slogans became legendary:
“Africa for Africans, at home and abroad.”
“Up, you mighty race—accomplish what you will!”
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4. The Black Star Line (1919–1922)
Garvey launched the Black Star Line, a shipping company meant to:
• Connect Black people globally
• Facilitate trade between Africa and the diaspora
• Symbolize Black ownership on the world stage
Though ultimately sabotaged by internal issues and government infiltration, it remains:
A symbol of Black ambition and sovereignty.
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5. Philosophy & Core Beliefs
Garvey’s worldview was rooted in:
1. Pan-Africanism
All Black people, everywhere, are one nation — spiritually, culturally, and politically.
2. Race pride
African heritage is noble, ancient, and deserves global respect.
3. Self-governance
Black people must own businesses, media, land, and institutions.
4. African redemption
Africa should be restored as a free, united, modern, and powerful superstate.
5. Diaspora solidarity
Caribbean, American, Latin, and African peoples share a common destiny.
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6. Legacy
Marcus Garvey influenced:
• Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)
• Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya)
• Haile Selassie symbolism in Rastafari
• Civil Rights Movement (USA)
• Black Power Era
• Modern Pan-Africanism
His ideas continue to guide global African consciousness today.