By Neil Armstrong
 |
| Photo credit: City of Toronto Left to right: Chase Garvey-Daniel, Dr. Julius Garvey and Aina-Nia Ayo'dele at the North York Central Library |
When Dr. Julius Garvey appeared at various events earlier in August, Emancipation Month, his presence reminded many of the rich legacy of his father, Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), and his words were like a balm to receptive audiences throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
With his grandson, Chase Garvey-Daniels, in tow, Dr. Garvey, who celebrates his 90th birthday today, ADrugust 16 — one day before the 136th anniversary of his father’s birthday (August 17) — affirmed many of the things his father said to uplift people of African descent worldwide during his lifetime.
Speaking at the North York Central Library on August 4, 2023, in a conversation with spiritual liberation activist and ancient wisdom teacher, Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, after participating in the raising of the Black Liberation Flag at Mel Lastman Square, he encouraged those gathered to know who they are as a people.
Dr. Garvey, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon and human rights activist, noted that although he was born in Jamaica in 1933 wherever he travels in the world he does so as an African, given the tenets taught to him and his older brother, now deceased, by their strong Garveyite parents — mother, Amy Jacques Garvey, and father, Marcus Garvey.
“Knowledge is key, knowledge is everywhere; you just have to go out and find it,” he said, noting that, “We are the first people, first civilized people and we civilized the world.”
He emphasized that Africa is a wonderful place that has been giving to the world over time, and that it is great to be African.
Dr. Garvey said many people have denigrated Marcus Garvey but there is value in many things his father said such as “character is your most important possession.”
“Being African is not just a word, geography, and history; it goes back to the beginning of civilization. Our ancestors understood what it meant to be fully human.”
In responding to a question from the audience, he said, “The greatest power in the world is to be your true self continuously.”
 |
| Photo credit: City of Toronto Dr. Julius Garvey |
The event was organized by the City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Unit in partnership with the Global African Communities Network (GACN), Afro-Caribbean Farmers’ Market, and the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC).
The Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit has partnered with Black Owned Toronto to culminate Emancipation Month with the Freedom Market to celebrate and support of Black entrepreneurialism and economics. The market, which will be held on August 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., will include Black-owned businesses, artisans, food, entertainment, and more at Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Boulevard.
“Emancipation Month recognizes the struggle for human rights and the rich contributions made by peoples of African descent. Recognizing Emancipation Month in August acknowledges an abhorrent period in our history and our ongoing commitment to eliminate discrimination in all forms. August 1, 1834 marks the day that the Slavery Abolition Act, 1833 came into effect emancipating more than 800,000 enslaved Africans across the British Empire, including Canada. Here in Toronto, we recognize the entire month of August as Emancipation Month and celebrate the rich contributions that peoples of African descent have made to our city and country,” notes the City of Toronto.
 |
| Left to right: Kemba Byam, acting manger of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto; former manager of the Unit, Anthony Morgan; and its first manager Aina-Nia Ayo'dele |
 |
| Valarie Steele, past president of the Jamaican Canadian Association, and Debbie Douglas, executive director the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) |
Meanwhile, Dr. Garvey participated in another flag raising event in Brampton, Ontario where he was presented with the Emancipation proclamation alongside Marjorie Taylor, Brampton’s 2015 Citizen of the Year — an acknowledgement of her significant contribution to the community through her more than 20 years of volunteerism in several local organizations. She is also an active volunteer of the United Achievers’ Club of Brampton and a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Brampton.
 |
| Photo contributed Marjorie Taylor |
“We celebrate the officially designated day of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834, which “laid a pathway to freeing over 800,000 enslaved Africans and their descendants in parts of the Caribbean, Africa, South America as well as Canada,” said Taylor.
“However, we are to be reminded that not all slaves were given their freedom in 1834. For example, in Jamaica (land on my birth), it was not fully in effect until August 1, 1838. We are here not only to mark this significant date of emancipation, but to give thanks and appreciation to those ancestors such as Jamaican hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey (August 17, 1887 to June 10, 1940) who was a Jamaican political activist and the founder and first President-General of the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League) in 1914 and influenced a generation of civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and, of course, Bob Marley.
“It is written that it was Marcus Garvey’s speech delivered in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1937 that inspired Bob Marley to write his worldwide popular song “Redemption Song” and I quote:
"We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery … none but ourselves can free the mind." – Marcus Garvey, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 1937.
“Another familiar and very important quote [in my opinion] of Marcus Garvey is this: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots.”
“To me, these words ring true today, and it behooves us all to learn from our past so we can help to change positively and effectively the present and the future for generations to come. We still have a long way to go, the fight is long, and I know (regrettably) that anti-Black and systemic racism will not be dismantled in my lifetime, but I encourage each one of you to continue in the struggle because we have hope in those [including special guest Dr. Julius Garvey, folks such as Dr. Jean Augustine, Zanana Akande, the late Bev Salmon and so many others] who paved the way for us and those who are continuing to do so. But we all — you and I — can make a difference for “united we stand – divided we fall”. Let’s shine a light upon the darkness that still exists and continue to impede progress.”
In Toronto, Rastafest Canada marks its 30th anniversary from August 17 to 20, and will kick off the events by celebrating Marcus Garvey in Little Jamaica, and end with a boat cruise. It is also the 43rd anniversary of Masani Productions founded by Masani Montague. Rastafest is Canada’s largest celebration of Rastafari heritage and culture.
 |
| The chair Marcus Garvey used whenever he visited Toronto at the UNIA Hall, 355 College St. in Toronto. It is now housed in the board room of the Jamaican Canadian Association. |
 |
| A tile from the foundation of the UNIA Hall at 355 College St. with the inscription of the UNIA is temporarily being housed at Blackhurst Cultural Centre in Toronto |
No comments:
Post a Comment