R. Love, Dr. E.W. Blyden, Dr. J.J. Thomas, had inspired the Rt. Hon. Prophet Marcus M. Garvey (John the Baptist fore-runner of Christ). The works and ideals of this great pioneer Pan-Africanist helped greatly in forming the U.N.I.A. and the A.C.L. 1914-1920’s. This organization would unite into one body, Africans from every nation, those at home in Africa and those abroad in the diaspora, to repair the damage done by slavery and colonialism. By educating them and teaching self-reliance is paramount if “black people” wanted to be free from economic dependence of the colonial master. Garvey was an orator and spoke highly of Africa (Ethiopia) indicating that “Africa is for the Africans, those at home and those abroad.” “Marcus Garvey was said to have fathered the Rastafari movement in his home land of Jamaica, just as it is he who gave the Rastafarians his world view and global perspective on life. It is the same Rastafarians who have in turn kept visions and memories of Garvey vividly alive. And, also, ever present in the minds and hearts of the everyday sons and daughters of the African diaspora. It is no surprise that the followers of Marcus Garvey went on to conceive a cosmology of creation and theology of divinity that went beyond what was called “traditional Garveyism.” By today’s standards Garvey was not himself a Rastafarian. He did not praise Emperor Haile Selassie I, Abba Janhoi, -Christ in his kingly character- the returned Messiah, as do Rastafarians. It is true he did not wear the covenant (dread locks) and did not use spiritual sacrament (herb). Asking if Garvey was a Rastafarian is like asking if John the Baptist was a Christian. The answer to both questions is no. But, just as “John the Ital Baptist Dread” was the forerunner and trailblazer for a man called Iyasus the Christ (Jesus the Christ) and Christianity, so too was Marcus Mosiah Garve...
