Marcus Garvey was an important black leader and organizer of the Pan-Africanism movement, which sought to unify and connect black people from all over the world towards a common cause. He faced much difficulties throughout his lifetime, including being imprisoned and also survived multiple assassination attempts. Throughout his life, Garvey encountered much unethical and social problems such as Marxism, Racism and Neo-Colonialism. These issues not only affected him but it also had lasting effects on black race. Based on the novel Marcus Garvey by Rupert Lewis, it is seen that blacks have been in a persistent power struggle for wealth, privilege and opportunities among the different classes of stratification throughout the world. Marxism is a theory which comprises of aspects related to history, economics and politics. It has its origin from Karl Marx, a founding father of sociology and to a lesser extent Fredrick Engles. This theory studies and analyses the relationship between classes and social conflict. Furthermore, racism was a dominant factor during slavery and still occurred even after it was abolished. It was used as a driving factor to perpetuate abuse and a false collective consciousnesses of inferiority in the African race. Additionally, the idea of neo-colonialism speaks to the fact that although a state appears to be independent and is able to exercise its sovereignty, in reality, their economic, cultural and political process is influenced by external sources such as other more powerful states.
Firstly, the theory Marxism is highly prevalent in the text Marcus Garvey, and examples of this doctrine are highlighted extensively. “Garvey’s historical 1929 manifesto of the People’s Political Party…The program summed up briefly and clearly the major economic, political, legal and educational demands for working class people and middle classes” (Lewis 64). These demands were underscored by Garvey because the working- and middle-class people were being suppressed and needed to gain access to economic resources, education and legal rights. In this time period, the legal system favored the white capitalist who controlled most of the essential resources that the blacks needed to elevate and integrate themselves within the society. Karl Marx posited that the working class would rise up and overthrow the bourgeoise and form a Communist society where everyone will have equal resources, privileges and opportunities. This idea has been reiterated by Monroe who highlights that many European and Caribbean sociologist believed in communism but a successful communist society has not been formed yet. However, the general approach taken by European sociologists cannot be used to fully investigate the Caribbean, especially Jamaica. (Monroe pg 13) This is so because of the political structure of Jamaica as well as the formulation of unions which were formed to help mitigate the constant struggle between classes within the Caribbean society.
It is also important to note that the consciousness of the society can be derived from those at the top of the pyramid in society. The rejection of the Rastafarian movement (counter culture) can be viewed as society outright rejecting their views and ideas and not accepting their lifestyle. It is the collective consciousness within a society that decides what is accepted and rejected. (Carlton Chinapoo Norma James Maureen Lee-Paisley) However, it should be noted that persons in different levels of society will have varying views and level of influence on how deal with the movement. The general accepted assumption of persons following the movement is that they were criminals and outlaws. This would then lead to the segregation of the Rastas from other persons in society and would also lead to widespread discrimination and oppression of the movement as a whole. Many Rastafarians were killed and treated unfairly in the eyes of the law because of the rejection of their religion. It was the “PNP leader Michael Manley, its new leader whom established a more inclusive agenda: courtship of Rastafarianism, the weathervane of the new radical politics, economic nationalism, a fighting stance against foreign capital, and a noticeable if indirect attack on color. By 1974 the PNP, spurred on by this new politics and certain international events (the rise of Third Worldism, for example), declared Jamaica a democratic socialist state-an imprecisely defined agenda ('neither capitalist nor socialist') that, however, shared much, at least rhetorically, with Marxism-Leninis.” (The Light That Failed? Short Circuits in Caribbean Marxism Keith pg. 4). The conflict theory that was originally created by Marx cannot be used in today’s society because changes occurred and now social mobility is a reality for many. It can be said that Marxism illustrates a lucrative way to look at the roots of the repercussions imposed on Blacks after the abolition of slavery throughout the world, however many scholars have updated theories for it to be able to be utilized and analyzed in present society.
Secondly, racism plays a pivotal part in understanding the challenges that blacks had to overcome. Racism is a constant theme throughout the text and this highlights the degree to which blacks experienced discrimination. It appeared in several forms and showcased the varying effects it had on the life of blacks. According to The Racial Contract by Charles Mills, racism is “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races (The Racial Contract Mills). Marcus Garvey faced much discrimination and injustice throughout his life and thus sought to create a space where this issue could be addressed and hopefully eradicated. This is echoed by Stein (1940) who posited - “Garvey saw that his fellow black races were victims of racism and racial crime and sorted out to amend this by fashioning the UNIA in America to promote social, economic, and freedom for black people.” (Stein) Racism stems from the preconceived notion that certain races are superior to others and thus should be presented with better treatment and opportunities. This, however, created a long-lasting division within the human race and to this day is still crippling society.
Racism can further be fragmented into systemic racism which occurs in situations where groups or organizations have rules in place that seems fair but is actually making the situation more difficult for a person with a different ethnicity or cultural background. Pan-Africanism was a mechanism that helps in giving black people a voice, community and a space to be themselves and not be discriminated against. This movement sought to strengthen bonds between persons of African descent and encouraged brotherhood and togetherness among all, especially in a time where blacks were heavily judged and victimized. This is reiterated in the World of Marcus Garvey written by Judith Stein (pg. 7) - “Pan-Africanism is the ideology that freed Garvey from the provincial politics of Jamaica it was a complex and imprecise set of racial beliefs joined to defend and advance black equality and progress.”
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As stated in the text, The Declaration of Rights of the Negro People of the World; a comprehensive program for African political, economic and cultural emancipation was drafted in 1920 but was the terms were not politically fulfilled until the twentieth century. This program was chaired by Marcus Garvey who said “because of the intensity of racism many of the delegates had to register their manes anonymously because if they had openly made them self-know their life’s and freedom would be in jeopardy. The sole purpose of this convention was to set out the inhumane conditions faced by black people globally and claimed the right which were to be claimed and fought for.” (Marcus Garvey Lewis pg. 22) However, structural racism ensured that it was impossible for a black man to rise up to the top of the society where most whites were already at. This is seen in early 19th century where the governing body of the U.S.A. and West Indies colonies were white delegates and the legal system favored the whites. Particularly, in the US there were several race riots caused by structural racism even mutiny in the military regime, but most noticeable was Red Summer. As stated in the World of Marcus Garvey, the Ku Klux Klan’s (KKK) sole purpose was to crush negros and they acted as an invisible government of America. (Lewis) The riots can be explained by the conflict theory developed by Karl Marx, the lower class would eventually raise up causing a revolution which would lead to a communist society. “Klansmen and Klanswomen were deeply concerned with promoting the supremacy of their race, members of the KKK had their foot hold in the governing body of the country an were influential in national politics.” (Structural Incentives for Conservative Mobilization: Power Devaluation and the Rise of the Ku Klux Klan, 1915-1925 McVeigh) Invisible racism is a form of racism that may not directly harm people and those who engage in it may not even be aware of it. As mentioned by Huge Douse the generation that was born in slavery grew up in a society where blacks were seemed inferior to whites and this stemmed from racism in the European colonies. “Racial groups such as the KKK amassed many white flowers because of invisible racism and the fact that many Americans were bigots.” (Structural Incentives for Conservative Mobilization: Power Devaluation and the Rise of the Klu Klux Klan, 1915-1925 McVeigh)
Lastly, as mentioned in the Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism by Kwame Nkrumah, “neo-colonialism of today represents imperialism in its final and perhaps its most dangerous stage.” This showcases that neo-colonialism has the same damaging effects as colonialism, if not worse. For practicing states, it means power without responsibility and for those who suffer from it means exploitation without redress. The industrious and capitalist countries exploited developing nations and even tried to pit them against each other. (NKRUMAH) Garvey was heavily affected and faced challenges when travelling with his wife as they were denied visa entries to visit other Caribbean countries. This was due to fear of Garvey’s influence and the fact that if he had succeeded in spreading his message, the European countries would lose their strong hold unto these Caribbean states. European leaders even went as far as to discredit his work and message, due to the aforementioned fear of his influence.
Nkrumah (1965) also states that “Neo-colonialism is based upon the principle of breaking up former large united colonial territories into a number of small non-viable states which are incapable of independent development and must rely upon the former imperial power for defense and even internal security.” This is seen in the example of European states successfully “neo-colonizing” states within Africa. The constant treat of communism meant that the structure of the colonies could change and the colonization would not last. This is highlighted in the line “warnings about the dangers of communist sub notice of those living under a neo-colonialist system the possibility of a change of regime.” Marx had argued that the development of capitalism would produce a crisis within each individual capitalist state because within each state the gap between the haves and the have nots would widen to a point where conflict was inevitable and that it would be the capitalist who would be ultimately defeated. (NUSTAPHA) The basis of this argument is not invalidated by the fact that the conflict, which he predicted as a national one, did not everywhere take place on a national scale but has been transferred instead to the world stage. Leopold Sedar Senghor has bitterly accused France of balkanizing Africa in the Lio-Cadre. Guinea was the only state to vote against the Constitution, with all the other states becoming autonomous republic members of the Franco-African Community. Fearing others would follow the lead of Guinea, France essentially removed the essences of the country that made it what it was. In this case, it showcases the ruthlessness of the more powerful countries and the extent that they would go to, to protect themselves in the end.
The researcher appreciated the style of writing and organization of key historical events through Marcus Garvey life. However, the researcher believes that adequate information about crucial events that was set in motion by the action of Garvey such as the Rastafarian movement which drew inspiration from Garvey. The researcher also believe that the book was too focus on Garvey’s life in the USA, Rupert Lewis also failed to recognized that Europeans used neo-colonialism to segregate Africa and the USA failed to indirectly take over states within the Caribbean. He also over looked Michael Manley who was a socialist leader who was incremental in the development of Jamaica and to some extent the Rastas the problems associated with communism brought to Jamaica.
Throughout his life, Garvey encountered much unethical and social problems such as Marxism, Racism and Neo-Colonialism. Marxism is a social theory coined by Karl Marx that can be used to examine conflict in a society based on socio economic patterns. The original theory can’t be used in today’s society however sociologist have updated the theory to satisfy their regions. Racism is a doctrine where people of specific race believe that their race is superior to another race, it can be fragmented into structural and invisible racism. The practice of racism brought about much unrest and conflict throughout the world. Both Structural and invisible racism is still a part of our present society. Some racist action may no directly harm an individual however it is imbedded into people that they actually think it is right and accepted it as a norm. Neo-colonialism is the direct/indirect exploitation of resources within developing countries from former colonizer’s or other industrial countries. This is the last stage of imperialism and is very dangerous since the sates most often breaks up the region so they are weaker and forced them in the position where they are depending on the state. IT is important to be noted that the former colonizers where capitalist states. The European countries and emerging mother countries such as the USA were relentless and ruthless in exploiting other developing countries. The after slavery were very difficult to overcome unfortunately, we have move on but the same problems are manifested in a different way today.
References
- Carlton Chinapoo Norma James Maureen Lee-Paisley. Cape Sociology. Person Education Limited , n.d.
- Chino, Takahiro. 'Journal of World Philosophies.' IS Western Marxism Western?The case of Gramsic and toaska (n.d.): 5-14.
- Klein, hubert S. Slevaery in The Americas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1967. Book.
- Lewis, Rupert. MARCUS GARVEY. kingstown: The UNiversity of the West Indies Press, 2018.
- McVEIG, RORY. 'Structural Incentives for Conservative Mobilization.' Power Devaluation and the Rise of the Ku Klux Klan, 1915-1925* (2018): 1-20. journal. 2 November 2018.
- mills, Charles. The Racial Contract. cornell university press, n.d. book.
- NKRUMAH, KWAME. NEO-COLONALISM The Last Stage of Imperialism. london: Panaf Books Limited, 1965. 29 October 2018.
- NUSTAPHA, NASSER. SOCIOLOGY FOR CARIBBEAN STUDENTS. IAN RANDLE, 2013.
- Stein, Judit. The World of Marcus Garvey. Louisiana, 1986. Document.
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