Garvyism or better known as Pan Africanism, a movement started in the early 1920's by Marcus Garvey and his organization UNIA [Universal Negro Improvement Association]. Together they established over 700 chapters nationwide in the main ethnic cities including but not limited to: Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. The Pan-African Movement prided itself on teaching the African-American to fight for the same rights as the white man. Garvey, a Jamaican immigrant, was inspired by Booker T. Washington's infamous book Up From Slavery. In the book, Washington, writes of his belief that political involvement would not benefit the African-American as a people. Washington believed that the only way to truly free themselves of the control of the white man was to train themselves to work and work for said equal rights. This book helped pen UNIA's slogan: "One God! One Aim! One Destiny!". Garvey is known as one of Black History's most radical leaders but he didn't start out that way. In the beginning, Garvey, complied with the law and tried to work to begin his legacy. He went along with the ideal that good manners and good morals would eventually free him of his ties to corporate America. But the combination of the rapid approach of Jim Crow Laws, which threatened to snatch any optimism Black America had, and the return of the Black soldiers from WWI who were not being treated much different than when they left brought the revolutionist out of Garvey. He began giving speeches that the only way the Black American would succeed is to be concerned with themselves first and everyone else last. Garvey encouraged buying goods from Black owned stores and providing services to Blacks given by Blacks. He also strongly encouraged Black unity and pride. In fact it is said that Garvey coined the term "Black Is Beautiful" before it was made popular in the 60s. His
goal was to get Blacks to see that they were born to race that was more powerful and honorable than the white man made it seem. He wanted them to know they were not in no way shape or form inferior to anyone. So he created the UNIA as an organized legion which organized marches where male members dressed in military attire. In 1920, UNIA member dressed in full military attire with Garvey at the head dressed as a general, held their first convention on the streets of Harlem,NY. Black civilians flooded the streets to watch. This sparked the rumors of Garvey's radical ways and caused many mainstream Black activist of the time to back bite Garvey, stating that his radical ways was not the answer. But the Harlem Convention sparked an influx on interest in UNIA Nationwide. Blacks were shocked
to see a Negro do something so bold in the white man's country. Garvey's demise began when the companies he owned were taken down by the law for corruption. Although, Garvey's ways were not the most ethical; it makes me wonder if with all the turmoil in the Black community today if we could use bits and pieces of Garvey's philosophy in order to bring us all reunite us all and shake the dreaded curse of the abominable Willie Lynch.
Sound off: Do you think Black America needs a modern day Marcus Garvey?
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Schoolboy Q is taking over the rap game. One track at a time. Oxymoron has hit the streets and everyone who's anyone has tuned in to what Mr. Q has got to say. I personally fell in love with Schoolboy in 2012 when Habits & Contridictions hit the airwaves. Even though that was a great album, it did not get the recognition it deserved. This time around Schoolboy is back with a vengeance. Schoolboy takes you through a walk in his shoes with each track. He even threw in the time when his uncle stole his cereal and Gramma couldn't do anything about it. In my calm objective opinion: This is what real rap sounds like. I could damn near see what he was describing as if I was watching a movie. Yeah he has his moments where he talks about bitches and hoes, but let's be real. What hood nigga don't have bitches and hoes? Exactly. But besides that, Q talks about things regular people can relate to: drug addiction, hustlin' to feed his family, and trying to get his life right before hustlin' leaves him with no family. Real life issues. Not to mention he has features from some of the best in the game right now: 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and we cannot forget his sweet daughter, Joy, who starts off the album saying: "Fuck rap. My daddy's a gangsta." Between Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar, the era of music that speaks about things that us regular folks cannot obtain nor know anything about will, hopefully, soon be a phase of the past. We love you Q and may you always remain a real nigga.
Sound off: What's your favorite Schoolboy track?
Oxymoron Tracklist
Habits & Contradictions Tracklist
