The Pardon of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey

The pardon of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey by President Joe Biden before leaving office in January was long overdue. Dr. Julius Garvey, Marcus Garvey’s son, along with many others, has spent years advocating for this pardon, seeking justice for the wrongful charges brought against Garvey. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of Garvey’s history and his immense contributions to African people worldwide.

On the eve of the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Joe Biden announced Garvey’s pardon—a long-awaited moment in history. While this action deserves commendation, it is crucial to recognize that justice should have come much sooner. Now, the next step is to ensure people are educated about the life and legacy of Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

As an educator, I have worked to keep Garvey’s legacy alive. Many years ago, I authored a book titled The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey: Read, Learn, and Remember, aimed at educating youth about his impact. I also introduced my sixth-grade students at Campus West to Garvey’s story. One day, as I was teaching a lesson about him, the school principal stood at the doorway, listening. After the lesson, she approached me and admitted that she had never heard of Marcus Garvey before. This revelation reinforced my belief that students must learn about Black leaders whose contributions have been historically overlooked. Because Garvey was absent from the sixth-grade curriculum, I wrote a book in 1999 that detailed his biography and included discussion questions. I also ensured that his image was displayed in the African American Curriculum Center among other Black leaders.

The Legacy of Marcus Mosiah Garvey Marcus Garvey left behind invaluable lessons and symbols of empowerment. One of his greatest contributions was the creation of the red, black, and green flag —now recognized as a powerful emblem of Pan-African pride. The colors hold deep significance:

Red represents the bloodshed of Black people in the struggle for freedom. Black symbolizes the identity and unity of the African diaspora. Green signifies Africa, the ancestral homeland. Though some sources may offer slightly different interpretations of these colors, their essence remains rooted in Black independence and the resilience of our ancestors.

The Journey of a Visionary Born on August 17, 1887, in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, Marcus Garvey was the youngest of eleven children. A bright student and avid reader, he developed a passion for knowledge early in life. His journey began as a printer’s apprentice in Kingston, Jamaica, where he honed skills that would later serve his mission.

Garvey’s travels across Central and South America exposed him to widespread racial injustice. Determined to make a difference, he moved to London, England, in 1912 to study at Birkbeck College. There, he connected with African students and became deeply engaged in the movement for African independence. Inspired by Booker T. Washington’s book Up from Slavery, Garvey became convinced that Black people must unite and build self-sustaining institutions.

The Rise of the Universal Negro Improvement Association In pursuit of this vision, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to promote racial unity, economic independence, and cultural pride. The UNIA rapidly gained traction, attracting over a million members worldwide. The organization expanded across the United States, the West Indies, and Central and South America, creating a global movement for Black empowerment.

The Rise of the Universal Negro Improvement Association In pursuit of this vision, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to promote racial unity, economic independence, and cultural pride. The UNIA rapidly gained traction, attracting over a million members worldwide. The organization expanded across the United States, the West Indies, and Central and South America, creating a global movement for Black empowerment.

Garvey’s impact extended beyond speeches and activism— he built economic enterprises that supported Black communities. He launched the Negro World, a weekly newspaper that spread his message of self-reliance. In 1919, he established the Black Star Line, a shipping company aimed at fostering trade between Black businesses in America, the Caribbean, and Africa. The fleet included three ships: the Yarmouth, the Shadyside, and the Kanawha, the latter of which was renamed the S.S. Frederick Douglass in honor of the great abolitionist.

Furthering his economic mission, Garvey founded the Negro Factories Corporation, which provided loans to Black entrepreneurs and operated various businesses, including grocery stores, a restaurant, a steam laundry, a tailor shop, a dressmaking shop, and a publishing house. His ultimate goal was to empower Black people to become economically self-sufficient and independent.

A Threat to the Establishment On August 2, 1920, thousands of Black men and women gathered at Madison Square Garden in New York City to hear Garvey speak. Among the audience were African royalty, tribal chiefs, and supporters from around the world. The crowd, waving red, black, and green flags, sang Ethiopia, Land of Our Fathers, as Garvey, adorned in a regal purple, green, and gold robe, declared:

“We shall now organize 400 million Black people of the world into a vast organization to plant the banner of freedom on the great continent of Africa.”

Garvey’s influence was undeniable, and his call for Black unity and self-determination posed a threat to the status quo. The U.S. government, led by F.B.I. director J. Edgar Hoover, saw him as dangerous. Hoover actively worked to dismantle Garvey’s movement, ultimately leading to his unjust conviction for mail fraud. Despite this, Garvey’s impact remains etched in history as one of the greatest leaders of the Black liberation movement.

Garvey’s Enduring Words Marcus Garvey’s words continue to inspire generations:

“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, in the West Indies, and in Africa in the fight for freedom. Up, you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.”

His vision of unity, pride, and economic empowerment remains a guiding force for Black people worldwide. While his pardon by President Biden is a significant step, our responsibility is to ensure that Garvey’s legacy is taught, honored, and upheld for future generations.