Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington influences on the African Diaspora

The Influences of Marcus M. Garvey and Booker T. Washington In the early years of the twentieth century, there was a major problem for African Americans. There was the question of how to respond to a white society that greatly supported white supremacy and refused to treat blacks as equals. In hopes to find a solution, many African American leaders devoted much time and energy to finding ways that would resolve this problem. Two of these leaders, in particular, were very prosperous at this goal. Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington were major sources of influence on Africans. They both dedicated their lives to bringing about change for African Americans and finding ways to link all people with an African ancestry. They came up with many ideas and tactics to improve the lives of black Americans. Booker T. Washington and Marcus M. Garvey were also two important actors in the African diaspora. They had a major effect on where African American migration during the twentieth century. The impacts of each influential leader on African Americans must first be discussed in order to effectively outline their influence of the African diaspora. Marcus Garvey once stated: “A race without authority and power is a race without respect.” He believed that separate self-development of African Americans within the United States was the way to uplift black’s authority and power. His influence on the people of Africa was most effective when he initiated the UNIA, Universal Negro Improvement Association, in 1914. In 1919, Garvey started the first black-owned shipping company in the United States, the Black Star Line. The publicity of the Black Star Line caused excitement and motivation among African Americans. The UNIA gave rise to many small black owned-businesses including restaurants, grocery stores, and a toy company that made black dolls. Through this organization, Marcus Garvey brought inspiration to many and spoke of many people’s

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