Marcus Garvey was born in St. Ann's Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica in 1887, and he was known as a black Prophet, Philosopher and an extremely influential speaker.  His vision, which he was determined to carry out was the liberation of his people.  Many believed he was a Messiah, a true Prophet, giving the prophesy of the coming of the redeemer who was going to "deliver the black man from bondage, and who had come to save a people who for centuries had been exploited by another race".  He promoted faith in the Almighty Creator of Africa and the Black race, "who created his Black sons and daughters in his own image and likeness".  

As I learned more about Garvey, it was clear to see he gave millions of Caribbean people a sense of pride and so enabling them to take their place in the world, Garvey stated "Never allow anyone to convince you of inferiority as a man.  Rise in your dignity to justify all that is noble in your manhood/womanhood as a race".  

Garvey dignified African beauty and promoted a "Back to Africa" campaign with a plan for resettlement in Liberia.  He was truly a powerful speaker and when he spoke it was electrifying, he was known to have a "silver tongue", and with this tongue and the words that came from his lips he inspired 11 million people to come into his Association -  The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), and African Communities League (ACL).  Garvey organized the UNIA-ACL to promote a spirit of race, Love and Pride; to administer to and assist the needy; to reclaim the fallen of the race; to establish universities, colleges and secondary schools for the further education and culture of the boys and girls of the race; and to conduct a worldwide commercial and industrial intercourse (to fund a strong Negro nation.)  The motto for the UNIA- ACL was/is "One God!  One Aim!  One Destiny", the association sought to unite "all the people of African ancestry of the world into one great body to establish a county and Government absolutely their own."  He promoted a steamship company "The Black Star Steamship, Co."  that would provide transportation for blacks to return to Africa.  

Garvey traveled everywhere observing the working conditions and the living conditions of blacks throughout the region.  He visited Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Columbia,  Venezuela, London, and especially all across the West Indies; and clearly these poor conditions saddened him and made him more determined to obtain his goals.  He also witnessed in the West Indies the petty divisions that divided the islands, which he spoke about in his lectures and speeches "...You all know how the different West Indians despise each other, how the Jamaican despise the Barbadian and the Barbadian despise the Jamaican, and all the other islands hate each other.  The UNIA was founded in 1914 after my experience of travel in South America, in Central America, in all the West Indian Islands and in Europe seeing the need for greater unity amongst the black people of the World."  "Therefore, the American Negroes and the West Indian Negroes are one, and they are relics of the great African race which was brought into the Western World and kept here for 400 years".

Marcus Garvey through his plight to accomplish his goals endeavored lots of difficulties, as with every prophet throughout time.  Undoubtedly, it seemed he was loathed, criticized,  persecuted, maligned, scorned, and was even convicted (which his sentence was commuted by President Coolidge), and deported, but he stayed strong, held on to his celestial work with courage, resoluteness and strength, which enabled him to rise continually from whatever misfortunes he suffered.  He successfully built and consolidated the UNIA into an international organization, and because of his efforts by 1920 the association boasted over 1,100 branches in more than 40 countries (many located in the US which had become a base for the UNIA), he also had several branches in Central America and in the Caribbean countries.) 

Marcus Garvey was truly a good man, that gave hope to a lot of black people and the black race on a whole.  He is considered in Jamaica a hero and was proclaimed by Jamaica as its First National Hero.  After his death in 1940, he was laid to rest in London due to travel conditions during World War II, however his remains which was exhumed and taken back to Jamaica  now lies at a shrine in National Heroes Park in Jamaica.   I close my piece on Marcus Garvey with one of his famous proclamation "Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, look for me all around you, for, with God's grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions of black slaves who have died in America and the West Indies and the millions in Africa to aid you in the fight for liberty, Freedom and Life."

For more details on Mr. Garvey's life and works check out his official site www.marcusgarvey.com or www.unia-acl.org

IT'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME  and READ ACROSS JAMAICA FOUNDATION IS ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  

Now that it's Back-To-School time, our friends from The Read Across Jamaica Foundation informed us that they are seeking donations of good reading materials to distribute to children who need and appreciate them.  You can help by (1) Purchasing a barrel; (2) Sponsor & Ship A barrel; (3) Pledge & Adopt a School or (4) Donate Materials.  They ask your support with obtaining 25 barrels.  For more information on how to make a contribution log on to www.readacrossja.com  or e-mail readacrossja@aol.com or call: 202-285-4673.  "Donate A Barrel - Help Share the World Through Reading With Children Across The Caribbean"

If you would like to share your thoughts on any of the issues above,  feel  free to send it directly to me at:  susan@ariousentertainment.us 

Remember to check out the Virginia Caribbean Carnival - Caribfest on Friday and Saturday 8/14 & 15.  If by chance you want to attend, then you still have time to do so.  A bus will be leaving from the T&T Clubhouse in Washington DC on Saturday morning at 7:00 am. FOR ALL THE DETAILS CLICK HERE 

A Bus will also be leaving from Baltimore Maryland, so call Ms. Cumberbatch for all the details @ 410-340-7988

Finally as I close out for this week, please remember to check out all the "Featured Events below, as well as all the upcoming Caribbean Carnivals and upcoming exciting events on our "Events" Page. 

Have a lovely and safe weekend!

FEATURED EVENTS

To Enter The "Events" Page

Check out our "Featured Events" listed below.   Also, there are several events taking place, so to view all the Events please log on to our "Events" Page above!

August 14 & 15, 2009 - Norfolk Virginia - Featuring Mighty Sparrow on 8/14/09