MARCUS ``MOSIAH`` GARVEY
MARCUS ``MOSIAH`` GARVEY
"A race without authority and power is a race without respect."
Garvey also formed the Black Star Line
Steamship Company to transport black people back to Africa. There was stock sold
for this company to any black person that had the desire to travel back to
Africa. This was Garvey’s way of putting his words in action. (Clarke, pg.95)
Many people thought the idea of actually buying a boat to transport people back
to Africa was a ridiculous idea, but Garvey did not let this stop him. He
purchased his first ship, named the Yarmouth, which could hold 1,452 gross tons.
It took the Yarmouth time to get the necessary funds to go on its first voyage,
but in November 1919 the ship was ready for its first voyage. (Cronon, pg.53)
Later the Black Star Line bought three more ships and with struggle these
voyages continued to Africa. Most of Garvey’s voyages, including his first, had
a few problems it had to overcome before sailing out to the sea. Garvey had
problems both insuring and financing the ships. Also, his only support came from
his followers and was looked down upon by the majority of the population.
On January 12, 1922, the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover arrested Garvey of mail fraud
and stock irregularities related to the Black Star Line. J. Edgar Hoover was
very eager to destroy all black radicals; he had strong intentions of
terminating Marcus Garvey’s movement. At first, he was looking to charge Garvey
with criminal activity, but could only accuse him of mail fraud. Hoover sent
secret agents into Garvey’s gatherings to investigate his actions. Hoover went
as far as trying to deny Garvey a visa when he was coming back to United States
from Central America and the West Indies. Garvey was able to get a visa, but
Hoover did succeed in ending Garvey’s career in the United States. When Garvey
was arrested he tried to appeal his convictions, but they were never accepted.
President Calvin Coolidge altered his sentence and Garvey was deported back to
Jamaica in 1927. (duCille, 6-8) When Garvey returned home to Jamaica there were
many people that were enthusiastic about his arrival. This gave Garvey the
courage and inspiration to continue spreading his ideas and gathering people
together.
Through all of Garvey’s battles he brought together a race that had no direction
and gave them hope and opportunity. Even though, he was forced to leave the
United States he accomplished the largest black movement in history. Garvey’s
emphasis on African nationalism is shown through his militant old Jamaican
missionary hymn:
Ethiopia, thou land of our fathers,Thou land where the gods loved to be,
As storm cloud at night suddenly gathers Our armies come rushing to thee.
We must in the fight be victorious When swords are thrust outward to gleam;
For us will the vict’ry be glorious When led by the red, black, and green.
Advance, advance to victory,Let Africa be free;
Advance to meet the foeWith the might
Of the red, the black, and the green.
Garvey passed away on June 10,1940, he was ill for a few years, but stayed
strong on the outside.
Garvey never gave up hope on his movement and his life impacted his followers
when he was alive and his legend
lives on in his spirit.