Table of Contents

Preface

1 Theoretical Framework

Theoretical framework

What is Pan-Africanism?

2 The UNIA and the WMA

The UNIA

The WMA

3 The Pan-Africanists in 1937

4 The PPM/Black Star

5 Pan-Africanism in the Post-1970s

Black Night

The Southern Africa Liberation Committee

The Rastafarian Movement

The Marcus Garvey Hundreth Anniversary

Committee

The Clement Payne Movement

The Commission for Pan-African Affairs

Conclusion

103

Appendix

107

Notes

120

Bibliography

130

Book excerpt

The UNIA gave the black masses a new, positive, conception of themselves, by seeking to emphasize black pride. Many of the Garveyites sought to challenge the falsehoods and distortions being propagated about Africans. They mentioned, “we are equal to any other man, we are not from the devil in hell, and they (referring to the white man) are not from Heaven.” ²³ John Alleyne argued “we have the same five senses as the other races and why not let us put them to the test.”²⁴ Melvin Innis proudly proclaimed:

I was never ashamed of being a Negro; I am proud because I am a Negro. There are thousand of Negroes who are ashamed because they are Negroes, but the time is coming when the whites will wish they were black.²⁵

The authorities in Barbados, like those through out the Caribbean were very concerned with the activities of the UNIA. They were particularly concerned with the contents of the Negro World, the mouthpiece of Garvey’s movement. In fact the Negro World was blamed for causing disturbances in Belize, Trinidad, the United States and Central America. Therefore, the reactionary regimes in the Caribbean sought to curb the introduction of this paper. The Governor of Barbados argued that the introduction of such legislation would only stir up trouble without any chance of becoming law. Moreover, the Governor believed that the UNIA would die a natural death. The Solicitor General, who incidentally was black, felt that “the Negro World performed a useful service, it was good for the Barbadian coloured man to see the disabilities of the Negro in America as he should be better contented with his position here.” The Central Intelligence Department argued that the object of the Negro World seemed to be to stir up trouble amongst the black races of the world. However, the Barbadian government did introduce a Seditious Publications Ordinance in 1920.²⁶

The Governor seemed to be very scared of the UNIA, this was evident in his response as to whether the UNIA should be the official diplomatic body representing British West Indian Workers in Cuba. The Governor vehemently objected to this suggestion. He argued that the “UNIA was too dangerous in Barbados, and if it was recognized in Cuba this would increase its stature in Barbados and lead to problems for ‘British Imperialism’.”

If the Cuban branch was recognized as the centre of protection of the interest of the British West Indians in that country, I foresee that the society would obtain a status in this country that might be very inconvenient. It would certainly result in a very large membership, and the hotheads in the Association would be awakened to renewed zeal to stir up trouble between the two races.²⁷

The Governor mentioned that there were two UNIA branches in Bridgetown . One was composed of more solid men, who lacked any distinctly anti- white proclivities. But he said that the other branch was disloyal. In fact, the Governor stated that some members of the UNIA had been burning canes in recent times and were becoming very restive.²⁸

From the inception of the UNIA the police were closely monitoring their meetings. The Governor indicated that the UNIA had sent threatening letters to the planters and were encouraging the workers to strike. It was strongly felt that the UNIA members were actively involved in the industrial ferment that was taking place in the country. The Governor, in response to these developments, held a meeting with the leading planters advising them to pay their workers a decent wage to spare Barbados the scourge of insurrection that was taking place in the neighbouring Caribbean territories.²⁹

It is easy to say that no trouble can come to Barbados, if you are satisfied that the labouring class are as well off now as under the pre-war conditions despite he…increased cost of living, you have no reason to fear criticism. If on the other hand labourers cannot earn a sufficiency to maintain their families and themselves throughout the year surely it is advisable to put the matter on a sound business footing. You have had good years for your industry and it is not surprising that the labouring classes here as elsewhere should desire to benefit by the better times.³⁰

The police authorities were quite fearful that Marcus Garvey might pass through Barbados. Rumours were rife that Garvey was coming to Barbados and the U.N.I.A. and the Working Men’s Association members were expecting Marcus Garvey in Barbados on the 4^th of April 1928. As a form of respect and homage none of the members of these Pan-African organizations plan to work, all of them were going to see ‘Marcus Garvey the originator of the red, black and green-’ the leader that they held in great awe and veneration. While the police intelligence had not discovered whether Marcus Garvey was coming to Barbados, they suggested that it would not be advisable for Garvey to come to the island. Moreover, they suggested that Garvey should be informed through the Jamaican government that should he come to Barbados he would not be allowed to land.³¹ It was strongly felt that the Expulsion of Undesirables Act of March 1927 was passed after the authorities heard that Garvey was planning to visit to Barbados . Section 8 states:

If it appears to the Governor that it is expedient for the preservation of the peace and good order of the Island that any person coming within section two of this Act who the Governor has reason had reason to believe is about to arrive or may arrive in the island should be prohibited from landing in the Island, the Governor may, if he thinks fit, make an expulsion order against such person. No person against whom such an order has been made shall be permitted to land in the Island, and if, after service upon him of such order, any person does so land, he may be arrested and deported from the Island in such a manner as the Governor may direct, and pending his deportation he may be detained in custody.³²

Tony Martin mentions that Marcus Garvey stopped in transit in Barbados on November 15,1928 but did not land. However, Garvey visited Barbados in 1937 where he spoke to a mammoth crowd at the Queen’s Park steel shed.³³

It is important to note that many females played important roles in the movement. It must be mentioned that the UNIA was structured like many African American churches, with a male president and other male officers along with a female president and female officers; whose task was to look after the females auxiliaries and juvenile divisions. Alexandria Gibbs served as a lady president, Anne Hooper was a lady president and Dorcas Bennett served as a lady vice president. These women also played an integral role in educating many children in their night schools. In addition they were instrumental in distributing the Negro World and other progressive literature.

With the imprisonment of Marcus Garvey between 1925-1930, the UNIA branches worldwide suffered some major decline. The Barbadian UNIA like the other branches worldwide saw a windling of its membership. The local movement suffered from internal and leadership squabbles; a shortage of funding, adverse propaganda which resulted in the reduction of its membership; and many of the middle class Blacks left the organization to be part of the Democratic League, since they felt that the Democratic League would present the best opportunity to facilitate their agenda.

23 GH/37/d Government House Records, (Barbados Archives).

24 GH/38/ Government House Records, (Barbados Archives).

25 GH/37/b Government House Records, (Barbados Archives).

26 Ibid.

27 Tony Martim, Race First,50.

28 GH/3/5/ Government House Records , (Barbados Archives).

29 Ibid.

30 Ibid.

31 GH4/3/5 Government House Records, (Barbados Archives).

32 See The Expulsion of Undesirables Act March 1927.

33 Tony Martin, Marcus Garvey, Hero: A First Biography ( Massachusetts: The Majority Press 1983) 76.