Why bother teach Garvey's philosophies in schools?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

While the reasons behind the attempt of the Ministry of Education to teach Marcus Garvey's philosophies in schools seem noble, one cannot help but wonder why bother?

Garvey's aspirations for the black race have been around for 80 years, yet, as a race, how much of them have we fulfilled?

Take the black man's contribution to science and technology. Garvey wanted us black people to take our rightful place in innovations in science and technology. Yet, we are now even more dependent on the scientific and technological creations of others.

Most, if not all, of the resources of Africa are controlled by external powers. Indeed, black Africa is effectively under the control of the West and China. This control was clearly manifested recently when the African Union opened its new headquarters in Ethiopia. The modern 20-storey building was paid for, built and even furnished completely by China. The black Africans couldn't even come up with their own building!

As a race, our influence in world affairs is minimal. African-Americans are renowned mainly for their powers in sports and hip hop. We in the Caribbean are renowned mainly for our ability to entertain tourists.

Since Garvey's preaching, some 80 years ago, other peoples have pulled themselves up from nothing. China has made itself an industrial and economic giant in less than 60 years. South Korea, flattened by two wars in the 1940s and 1950s, is now an economic powerhouse.

We have had 80 years of Garvey's teachings and little to show for them.

I think it would be better if we come clean with our conscience and forget about Garvey's teachings. They could never have applied to us, black people; he must have had some other race in mind.

MICHAEL A. DINGWALL

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Kingston