Marcus Garvey’s forgotten lessons for Jamaica’s youth

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As a child growing up in Jamaica, I recall learning about our national heroes. Yet, it was only as an adult, that I came to fully appreciate the true impact of Marcus Mosiah Garvey. This gap in my education feels like a failure, not just to me but to generations of young Jamaicans who should have been taught to see Garvey not only as a national figure but as a global giant.

Garvey was a visionary who lit a fire in the hearts of Black people across the world. His philosophy of self-reliance, pride in our African identity, and unity among people of the diaspora influenced countless leaders and organisations. The Nation of Islam in the United States, the Pan-Africanist movements led by George Padmore and C.L.R. James, and even the independence struggles of leaders like Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana and Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya, all drew deeply from the well of Garveyism. His vision of economic empowerment and global Black pride resonated far beyond Jamaica’s shores.

It is in this same spirit that Jamaicans continue to make strides globally. We are a small island, yet we are among the most recognised countries in the world. This is the fire Garvey left burning in us that urges us to pity the unjustly treated and to work toward a fairer society.

Yet, when I reflect on Garvey’s teachings, I am left saddened by the realisation that many of our politicians and leaders, those with the ability to move this nation forward, have failed our youth. Garvey urged us as a people to pursue education, to build strong families, to establish businesses of our own, and to see ourselves as a powerful race capable of shaping the future. Instead, too often, we see the opposite being promoted in our society.

One cannot ignore the negative impact of certain aspects of dancehall music on our youth. While reggae has long carried messages of liberation, peace, and unity, dancehall has in many ways morphed into a force that degrades our people. Lyrics that glorify violence, promiscuity, and materialism stand in stark contradiction to Garvey’s vision of upliftment and self-respect. Similarly, while the legalisation of marijuana has been celebrated by some, the lack of proper guidance around its use has left many of our young people vulnerable to misuse, further dimming the light Garvey intended to shine on us.

Some scholars may disagree with my stance, but truth must be spoken. The current cultural climate is not aligned with Garvey’s dream. His call was for us to rise, to unite, to build, and to achieve greatness. We must ask ourselves, as Jamaicans, whether we are truly honouring that call.

If we are to honour Marcus Garvey, then we must return to the principles he laid out for us: pride in self, economic independence, education as the foundation for progress, and unity among our people. Anything less is a betrayal of his legacy and a disservice to the generations yet to come.

ST AUBYN RICHARDS