Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

The time is nearing when Pan-Afrikanists remember the birth (August 17, 1887) of the pioneer from St. Anns, Jamaica.  What aspects about Marcus' mission can be utilised today?  What has made him stand out as he did?  Are there any of his philosphies that have impacted in your life and do you disagree with anything he said or did? Let's hear.

For me the question is what aspects about Marcus' mission can't be used...He stood out because he had the answer. Pan-Africanism. All of his philosophies impacted my(our) life. Marcus is a political father to me(and all other Pan-Africanists). The only thing I disagree with is the name calling back and forth between him and W.E.B. Dubois. In fighting is never good. But the result was Dubois' eventual "conversion" to Marcus' nationalist ideology, so maybe it was necessary.

NEGROES' STATUS UNDER ALIEN GOVERNMENTS

Within modern times the Negro race has not had any real statesmen, and the masses of our people have always accepted the intentions and actions of the statesmen and leaders of other races as being directed in our interest as a group in conjunction with the interests of others. Such a feeling on our part caused us to believe that the Constitution of the United States was written for Negroes, as well as the Constitutions of England, France, Italy, Germany and other countries where Negroes happen to have their present domicile, either as citizens or as subjects. That we suffer so much today under whatsoever flag we live is proof positive that constitutions and laws, when framed by the early advocates of human liberty, never included and were never intended for us as a people. It is only a question of sheer accident that we happen to be fellow citizens today with the decendants of those who, through their advocacy, laid the foundation for human rights. So this brings us to the point where, as a people, we can expect very little from the efforts of present day statesmen of other races, in that their plans, (as far as advantages to be derived therefrom are concerned) are laid only in the interests of their own people and not in the interest of Negroes; hence it is imperative that Negroes as a people evolve just at this time a statesmanship sufficiently able to cope with the designs and movements that are being made that will (except we prevent it) ultimately mean our doom and destruction.

Thx OA

That quote is powerful and definitely applies today.

I do agree and really am interested as well in whatever aspects can't be used.  Because there is SO much that we can say to endow Papa Garvey.  In analysis, I'd like to hear the critiques either advocated during his time and/or the present.

For instance does anyone disagree with his theory of race first?  

The concept of race first remains true from the perspective of how many people will have to be first oriented, before realizing their more refined human characteristics. Understanding Race and how it is played upon in societies, is the first major step towards understanding world history and world politics, as the issues have to be first interpreted on how they impact on people based on their primary point of recognition.