Tweet

On November 2nd, 1929, the renowned leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Mr. Marcus Garvey, graced the shores of St. Kitts, arriving aboard the S.S. Lady Nelson. Garvey’s visit was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the island’s residents, many of whom gathered at the waterfront for a rare opportunity to see the charismatic leader. Later that day, a packed hall at the Mutual Improvement Society listened intently as Garvey delivered an inspiring address, imparting his revolutionary views on race, self-determination, and the power of the mind.

Accompanied by his secretary, Miss White, Garvey’s stop in St. Kitts was part of a larger journey that had taken him to British Guiana and back. The event, presided over by Mr. W.A.H. Seaton as chairman, also saw notable local figures like Messrs. Ruthland Clapham, W.J.E. Butler, and V.E. John on stage, adding to the significance of the gathering.

Garvey’s address to the people of St. Kitts was one of hope, empowerment, and unity. He began by emphasizing that his life’s purpose was to serve humanity, focusing especially on those who he believed were suffering from ignorance and poverty. “It is God’s purpose for man to be happy,” Garvey declared, passionately speaking against the misery and inequalities that plagued the less fortunate.

He challenged the audience to look inward and understand that the key to success lay not in external circumstances, but in mastering one’s own mind. “No man can keep another man down without being kept down himself,” he boldly proclaimed, stressing the importance of intellectual empowerment as the means of liberation.

Garvey’s rhetoric was a call for self-realization, urging people to understand that their circumstances did not define their potential. His words also challenged the social hierarchies that many believed were divinely ordained. “God never made inequalities; never made classes. He made man, and in the making, he equalized the character of man through man’s spiritual self and soul,” Garvey explained, urging his listeners to reject the notion that certain individuals were born superior to others.

Addressing the prevalent societal issues of the time, Garvey spoke candidly about the negative impacts of materialism and the focus on physical desires, asserting that “the poorest people…are those who pay more attention to their stomachs than their brains.” He emphasized the importance of intellect over indulgence, warning against the dangers of living a life solely concerned with physical pleasure and neglecting the development of the mind.

Throughout his speech, Garvey highlighted the potential for progress within St. Kitts and the wider Caribbean. He challenged the people to take control of their destiny, noting that the future of St. Kitts was in their hands. “Your St. Kitts will be no greater than your minds,” he declared, urging them to invest in their intellectual development as the key to social and economic advancement.

As Garvey concluded his address, he reminded the audience that greatness was not reserved for the few. “One of the greatest men the world has ever seen was born in Nevis,” he proudly noted, referencing the island’s own history of producing extraordinary individuals. Garvey’s visit was a powerful reminder that, regardless of one’s background, everyone has the capacity for greatness.

The impact of Garvey’s visit to St. Kitts was profound, leaving an indelible mark on the island’s people. His message of self-reliance, intellectual empowerment, and unity resonated deeply, and his call for progress through the power of the mind would continue to inspire generations to come.