History

The Harlem Renaissance

Garvey’s heyday in the 1920s coincided with the Afro-American literary efflorescence known as the Harlem Renaissance, for the race and Africa-consciousness of which Garvey himself was in no small way responsible. Indeed, some of the most important artists of the Renaissance were associated with the UNIA. Claude McKay was a Garvey supported and a regular contributor to the Negro World in its early period; Eric Walrond was a Negro World editor; and Zora Neale Huston was a columnist for the paper. Negro World readers were treated to excellent book reviews by editors William H. Ferris, Eric Walrond and Hubert H. Harrison

History of The Flag

Article 39 of the Declaration of the Rights of The Negro Peoples of the World as adopted on August 13, 1920 during the 1920 First International Convention of Negroes states that colors of the BLACK RACE are Red, Black and Green – the UNIA Flag.

The question of a flag for the race was not as trivial as might have appeared on the surface. Especially, in the United States, the lack of an African symbol of nationhood was the basis of outright racism towards Black people. It is obviously portrayed in the American popular song, “Every Race Has a Flag But the Coon.”

In 1921 Garvey declared, “Show me the race or the nation without a flag, and I will show you a race of people without any pride. In song and mimicry they have said, “Every race has a flag but the coon.” How true! But that was said of us four years ago. They can’t say it now…”

Ultimately, the UNIA Flag became a symbol of Black unity and pride all over the world. Many African countries sport the colors in their flags, symbolizing their inspiration by Marcus Garvey, including Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and others.
As per Mr. Garvey, “Red is the color of the blood which men shed for their redemption and liberty; Black is the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong; Green is the color of the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland.”