February 23rd 2023 will be the centenary of the publication of volume one of Philosophy & Opinions of Marcus Garvey, the first primary collection on Garveyism – the Black Print. (1)
The compilation of speeches and writings were lovingly and painstakingly compiled by devoted wife Mama Amy Jacques Garvey, while the UNIA-ACL founder languished in prison after a trial and conviction “marked by many irregularities,” to put it mildly and for which exoneration is still being sought. (2)
The book is colloquially referred to by some as the “Garveyites’ Bible,” this is in addition to him already being regarded by the time of its publication as a divinely inspired “apostle” of the creator. (3) Well aware that the treatise represented a distillation of his liberation ideology, Papa Garvey was prophetic about what its impact would be:
“Future generations shall have in their hands the guide by which they shall know the sins of the 20th century.” (4)
Its impact spread far and wide, not least on the Afrikan continent where it penetrated from east to west. Indeed, as leading light of the independence movement, Ogsagyefo Kwame Nkrumah proclaimed:
“Of all literature I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey.” (5)
Now that we find ourselves in the twenty-first (Gregorian) century we need to consider where we are in relation to Philosophy & Opinions. It does appear that serious activists, whether they be Nationalist, Pan-Afrikanist or Afrikan Internationalist, etc., still hold it in high esteem, essentially confirming Mama Amy Jacques Garvey’s contention that it is ‘‘not only a theoretical philosophy, but a working idealism, geared to the crying needs of an entire race.’’ (6) Conversely, there remains aspects of the black left, that continue to be sceptical of Papa Garvey’s universal vision dismissing it as “narrow” while they desperately scour the earth for white allies. (7)
In the last one hundred years numerous ideologies, movements and strategies have been advanced in the service of Afrikan liberation and many have gone. Philosophy & Opinions has been there through it all, seemingly awaiting its full implementation.
(1) Ula Yvette Taylor (2002) The Veiled GARVEY The Life & Times of AMY JACQUES GARVEY. The University of North Carolina Press. p. 47
(2) Taylor. p. 63. She paid a high personal price for getting the book published. One of her eyes had become badly strained, she weighed only ninety-eight pounds, and her blood pressure was low. Tony Martin (1986) Race First: The Ideological and Organizational Struggles of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association. The Majority Press. p.192, Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (01/08/22) Why should we exonerate Marcus Garvey? https://alkebulan.org/2022/07/31/aswag-392-weexonerategarvey/
(3) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (18/04/16) Groundation Day at 50 – Where is Rastafari today? https://alkebulan.org/2016/04/18/afrika-speaks-groundation-day-at-50-where-is-rastafari-today/
(4) Marcus Garvey (c1924) Look For Me In The Whirlwind. https://speakola.com/political/marcus-garvey-look-for-me-in-the-whirlwind-1924
(5) Kwame Nkrumah (1957) Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah. Reprint, Panaf, 1979. p. 37; Martin. P. 116
(6) Taylor. p. 3
(7) Jon Jeter (29/06/22) Gazing Deep Into a Crystal Ball and Seeing a Bleak Future for ‘Black and White Unite and Fight.’ https://www.patreon.com/posts/gazing-deep-into-68405833
we ask the question:
100 Years of Philosophy & Opinions: have we done enough with it?
1) How should we assess the impact of Philosophy & Opinions on the Afrikan world?
2) Does it still work as a guide to “know the sins” of the 21st century?
3) Is the vision of Philosophy & Opinions too “narrow”?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of
Bro. Leahcim Tufani Semaj: is based in Kingston Jamaica and is a Quantum Transformation Psychologist and award-winning teacher. He is also a Motivational and Keynote Speaker, Creative Thinker and Problem Solver. Presenter and facilitator for Change Management, Leadership Training, Strategic Planning Retreats, Organizational Restructuring, Cultural and Work/Values Alignment, Work/Life Balance, Corporate Coaching and Demystifying complex concepts that impact people’s lives. A unique ability to impact persons at all levels of education and competence.