The Birth Of the UNIA

In London, Garvey met leaders of the Pan African Movement. They objected to the way colonial powers had divided Africa between themselves. They taught Garvey about the rich history that all Africans share – whether they live in Africa, or are descended from slaves.

Garvey was also inspired by a book called Up From Slavery, by a black American, Booker T. Washington. Washington was born a slave, but he educated himself, and later he founded a college for black students at Tuskegee in Alabama, in the USA. Garvey wanted black people everywhere to have pride in themselves, and to be treated fairly. So he set up an organization called the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

UNIA's

UNIA’s aims were summed up – summarized – in its motto, which was

One God! One Aim! One Destiny!

Unite all black people into one body, and establish their own country or government,

promote black pride, encourage trade and commerce between black communities,

build educational institutions for blacks, strengthen independent countries of Africa

and assist needy people.

THE EARLY DAYS

UNIA held weekly meetings, and evening classes for people who didn’t have the chance to go to high school. Sometimes there were debates and concerts. Garvey tried to get educated people to join UNIA, to teach the poorer people. Some did, but not as many as he hoped. Many of them did not like to be called ‘negro’. They did not want to associate with other black people. They wanted to pretend they were white! You see, part of colonialism was racism – belief that your own race is better than others. Caribbean people were made to feel inferior because of their colour and culture.

BLACK PRIDE:

In 1916, Garvey went to the USA. He moved the UNIA headquarters from Jamaica to Harlem in New York, where there were a lot of people of African descent. UNIA branches were set up in every country where there was a community of black people. Garvey was now an experienced speaker. His ideas became more radical – in favour of essential reforms. Hundreds of people listened to his speeches. Garvey preached black pride – pride in black peoples’ colour and culture. In the USA, slavery wasn’t abolished until 1863. In the southern states, conditions had not improved much. There was serious racial discrimination, and segregation – separation of people according to race. Many black people felt they would never be able to achieve anything. Garvey’s message to them was, ‘Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.’ He told them they had a glorious history in ancient Africa. He encouraged them to believe they could build a new civilisation – society – and a glorious future.

Self-Reliance & Back To Africa:

Do it yourself Garvey encouraged his followers to go into business for themselves. He believed that black people should have organizations of their own, and be self-reliant – trust themselves for help. Then they would not be at the mercy – in the power – of white people. They would achieve black liberation – freedom. UNIA set up the Negro Factories Corporation. It owned businesses like laundries – places where clothes are washed – groceries and publishers, and factories making dolls, hats and uniforms. In Jamaica the UNIA had a restaurant, a laundry and a confectionery business – making sweets. It owned a People’s Co-operative Bank. Each UNIA division was encouraged to buy its building. The buildings were known as Liberty Halls. \

The Liberia Plan
As part of the self-reliance plan, Garvey wanted black people in America to set up their own nation in Africa. They would rule it and develop it, and it would protect black people all over the world. Garvey developed the Liberia Plan. The UNIA negotiated with the government of Liberia for land to settle people from the USA, the Caribbean, South and Central America. The Liberian government at first agreed, but it changed its mind before the settlers arrived. The UNIA had other plans for nation building. In 1920 it held its First International Convention – conference. Delegates – representatives – came to New York from all over the world, for a month-long meeting. They discussed issues like segregation, poor schooling, lack of representation, mob violence, and lands being taken away in Africa. The Convention was like a parliament in exile – away from its own country. Delegates were like MPs representing different countries and communities. They drew up laws to govern the lives of black people. They designed a flag – in red, black and green. They made up an anthem, called The Universal Ethiopian. The First International Convention was a huge success. Seven more were held during Garvey’s lifetime.

The Declaration of Rights:
The most important result of the Convention was the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World.

The Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World stated that:

Negroes are free citizens of the world, with the same rights and privileges as any other group.

Africans should disregard any law which takes away their land.

Africa should be free, and Africans should control their own countries.

All people have a right to self-determination. All people have a right to fair employment.

Blacks have the right to control their own social institutions.

Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, worship and the press.