How Did Marcus Garvey Influence Society

Marcus Garvey was a leader in the Black Nationalist movement. He was also, a Civil Rights Activist. He applied the economic ideas of Pan-Africanist to the immense resources available in urban centers. He wanted to end imperialist rule and create modern societies in Africa. He became an inspirational figure for civil rights activists.

1. Many believed that the "oppressed people" needed a leader or savior who could improve their life conditions, and Marcus Garvey would fit that description. Marcus Garvey was a black leader who started a "Back-to-Africa" movement in the United State. Garvey's main beliefs were that blacks would never receive justice in the countries where most of the people were white. He preached that blacks should go back to Africa, their homeland, and settle there. With Malcolm X's father strong belief in the ministry of Garveyism, Malcolm took Garvey as true; that the only way to achieve anything would be hard if the white man is ruling the country. Malcolm had to be strong while preparing for the civil rights movement; that strength would be very necessary in accomplishing anything. His father's ministry opened up the doors of truth of the harm of the white man on the blacks in America. Malcolm said that the black people would benefit in uniting the black race. Marcus Garvey was "convinced that success demanded the building of a strong economic base so that blacks will be self-sufficient" (Internet, Marcus Garvey). Because of Marcus Garvey's beliefs, many African Americans, found new strength and renewed their vision of success. Therefore, Garvey's teaching brightened up the chance for Malcolm to achieve change during the civil rights movement; providing a chance that everything would be all right and blacks would be equal to whites. Even though Marcus Garvey's helped and wanted the best for his fellow black people, he slammed fellow African-American leaders as being white puppets. Many blacks saw Marcus Garvey a lot in Malcolm X in that they both believed that the black race needs to stay just black to have real power, that the white people are the enemies, and that blacks should not mix with whites. Malcolm learned that the road would be tough because of the great power the white man has in America and that where the black man can have power would be where there is no white man in control, such as in Africa.

Marcus Garvey another influential leader of the early 20th century was born in 1887 in Jamaica. Unlike Washington and DuBois who mainly focused on blacks in the U.S, Garvey had international ambitions focusing on blacks worldwide. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914 which stressed racial pride and self-improvement. Garvey believed that white society would never accept black Americans as equals, emphasizing black nationalism,and called for the separate self-development of African Americans. He also stressed Pan-Africanism where he envisioned all black people returning to their homeland in Africa.

Marcus Garvey is also known as “The Negro Moses” because of his driven efforts that successfully gained freedoms for Africans. At age fourteen Marcus lived in Jamaica and became a printer where he eventually learned the skill of public speaking. He later left Jamaica and headed to Central America where he published a few papers and returned back to Jamaica. He did not stay there too long before going to England where he gained knowledge of the frightening imperial and aristocratical power. Garvey once again went back to Jamaica shortly after World War I started. Being a follower of Washington, Garvey wrote to him about his efforts and was later invited to the United States. The racism was bad it led Garvey driven to do something. He organized part of the Universal Negro

During the 20th century, America had many challenges and one of the main issues was social discrimination. Although slavery was abolished in the late 19th century, the Negros were still being treated unfairly by the white majority. They were forced to separate themselves from the white society against their will. They had different schools, facilities, and even had to sit in a different section on the buses. However, a few individuals had decided to step up and take action against this racial segregation and through their inspiring speeches and interviews, they created change in the nation. These individuals are none other than Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Even though each man had supported a different philosophy for how the ideal nation should be as well as distinctive methods to achieve that, the problem they were facing was the same, to help the Negros get out of their prejudice.

Before one woman refused to head to the back of the bus, before there was a voice to peacefully express the dream, before Jim Crow was scared away, there were organizations, fighters and events that contributed to the advancement of African Americans. As W.E.B. Du Bois provided the diving board that would allow blacks to dive into the pool of equality, he is found at the origin of the Civil Rights Movement. The Pan-Africanism movement, the rage following the Red Summer, and the Great Migration continued the efforts of W.E.B. Du Bois. The bold and striking words and actions of Marcus Garvey showed whites that blacks would not be called an inferior race any longer. Following World War II, many bounds toward racial equality were made and Brown versus the Board of Education poured gasoline onto the civil rights fire.

Firstly, I would like to say that both leaders did make changes and influenced society in their own way. I would also like to point out that even though both of these leaders had the same goal, which was to create justice and equal rights among African-Americans. They both led their “rebellion” differently, due to their backgrounds and life experiences. In my perspective the best advice told was from Booker T. Washington. The reason why is because, although, I do agree with certain things W.E.B DuBois said. I feel that realistically, Washington was more practical in his plans. Washington wanted African-Americans to receive vocational training, so they could perform better in their jobs. He wanted people to start from the bottom and advance

black people and the manner in which they were viewed. He gave hope to those who felt

was a world transformed. Gone were the brutalities and indignities of slave life, the whippings and sexual assaults, the selling and forcible relocation of family members, the denial of education, wages, legal marriage, homeownership, and more. African Americans celebrated their newfound freedom both privately and in public jubilees,” (Khan Academy). A man by the name of Marcus Garvey suggested an idea for all of the people of color to migrate back to Africa since that’s what it seemed like the caucasians wanted since they were no longer useful.

There were a lot of benefits that has been contributed to African American history that has shaped our nation to what it is today. In reference to Marcus Garvey & Frantz Fanon’s hard work to help the community & challenges faced while helping the black community.