Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

1. Universal Negro Improvement Association(UNIA) By: Hailey Weldon

2. The UNIA was dedicated to racial pride, economic self-sufficiency, and the formation of an independent black nation in Africa. In addition, the UNIA represent the largest mass movement in African-American history by forming an important link in the historical struggle of black Americans/Canadians for freedom, justice and equality • There were twelve different chapters created and some Canadian places that had the UNIA included of Montreal, Toronto, and communities in NS. • Marcus Garvey was the founder of this organization and he had originally founded it in Jamaica in 1914 but its main influence was in the main urban black neighborhoods in the U.S.

3. Marcus Garvey • Marcus Garvey the founder of the UNIA, leadership had gotten cut short in 1923 when he was convicted of fraud in his handling of funds raised to establish a black steamship line. • In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge pardoned Garvey but had him deported. • Although, Garvey was convicted his philosophy and organization had a rich religious component that he blended with the political and economic aspects.

4. Methods • There were a variety of methods used to get their point across, they formed protests, they formed parades and marched throughout their cities, passed out pamphlets, and called meetings to give speeches. • Furthermore, to promote unity, Garvey encouraged African-Americans to be concerned with themselves first. He knew people would not take action if they did not change their perceptions of themselves. So he hammered the idea of racial pride by celebrating the African past and encouraging the African-Americans to be proud of their heritage and to be proud of the way they looked. Garvey wanted them to see themselves as a mighty race to form unity.

5. The UNIA had a great impact on life in this era, it was the greatest and strongest movement ever started among African-Americans. In a short time the organization enrolled more members throughout the world than all other black organizations put together. • Thousands of branches were established and it almost seen impossible for this association to come to an end. But, the impossible happened, the wild enthusiasm of it’s millions members cooled down. This mainly happened because of the leader dying. • Moreover, people did react to the UNIA and African-Americans got their goals of racial pride and economic self-sufficiency achieved. Some people didn’t agree and the KKK was formed to kill members of this race. But, others did understand where they were coming from because Garvey had touched their hearts.

6. The Legacy • After Marcus Garvey died his memory and legacy still lives on, many schools, universities, highways, and buildings in multiple places are named in his honor. • His message has been called evangel of black success, for he believed economic success was the quickest and most effective way to independence. Interestingly enough, it was white America that served as a prime example of what blacks could accomplish. • Plus, the Glace Bay UNIA is a newly-formed organization in Cape Breton is open to promote the heritage of African-Nova Scotians and acknowledge the role blacks played. This group is currently in the process of restoring the original UNIA Hall in Glace Bay.

7. Bibliography • "Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013. Web. 03 May 2013. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/618122/Universal-Negro-Improvement-Association-UNIA • "Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association, The Twentieth Century, Divining America: Religion in American History, TeacherServe, National Humanities Center." Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association, The Twentieth Century, Divining America: Religion in American History, TeacherServe, National Humanities Center. David Van Leeuwen, Oct. 2000. Web. 03 May 2013. http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/garvey.htm • "Universal Negro Improvement Association." Universal Negro Improvement Association. Theresa Brewster, 2012. Web. 03 May 2013. http://www.unia.webs.com/ • "American Series Introduction." The Marcus Garvey and UNIA Papers Project, UCLA. UCLA-International Institute: African Studies Center, n.d. Web. 05 May 2013. http://www.international.ucla.edu/africa/mgpp/sample01.asp • Sadlier, Rosemary. Black History: Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Toronto, ON: Emond Montgomery Pub., 2009. 213-14.