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The True Solution of the Negro Problem - 1922 |
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The True Solution of the Negro Problem - 1922 |
As far as Negroes are concerned, in America we have the problem of
lynching, peonage and disfranchisement.
In the West Indies, South and Central America we have the problem of
peonage, serfdom, industrial and political governmental inequality.
In Africa we have, not only peonage and serfdom, but outright slavery,
racial exploitation and alien political monopoly.
We cannot allow a continuation of these crimes against our race.
As four hundred million men, women and children, worthy of the existence given us
by the diviine Creator, we are determined to solve our own problem, by redeeming our
Motherland Africa from the hands of alien exploiters and found there a government, a
nation of our own, strong enough to lend protection to the members of our race scattered
all over the world, and to compel the respect of the nations and races of the earth.
Do they lynch Englishmen, Frenchmen, Germans or Japanese? No.
And Why? Because these people are presented by great governments, mighty
nations and empires, strongly organized. Yes, and ever ready to shed the last drop
of blood and spend the last penny in the national treasury to protect the honor and
integrity of a citizen outraged anywhere.
Until the Negro reaches this point of national independence, all he
does as a race will count for naught, because the prejudice that will stand out against
him even with his ballot in his hand, with his industrial progress to show, will be of
such an overwhelming nature as to perpetuate mob violence and mob rule, from which he will
suffer, and which he will not be able to stop with his industrial wealth and with his
ballot.
You may argue that he can use his industrial wealth and his ballot to
force the government to recognize him, but he must understand that the government is the
people. That the majority of the people dictate the policy of governments, and if
the majority are against a measure, a thing, or a race, then the government is impotent to
protect that measure, thing or race.
If the Negro were to live in this Western Hemisphere for another five
hundred years he would still be outnumbered by other races who are prejudiced against him.
He cannot resort to the government for protection for government will be in the
hands of the majority of the people who are prejudiced against him, hence for the Negro to
depend on the ballot and his industrial progress alone, will be hopeless as it does not
help him when he is lynched, burned, jim-crowed and segregated. The future of the
Negro therefore, outside of Africa, spells ruin and disaster.
Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey p 52 Vol 1
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