On Saturday, I visited the Marcus Garvey Multimedia Museum at Liberty Hall, downtown. The interactive exhibition was both informative and engaging. I didn’t know anything about Garvey apart from him being one of Jamaica’s National Heroes (the first, as I discovered that day) and a Civil Rights Activist. He was actually a rather unsympathetic Black Nationalist and Pan-Africanist, whose radical theories and ideas I cannot identify with. Nonetheless, his works (or speeches, of which some are presented in Liberty Hall’s exhibition) are worth a read (or listen), for he played a dominant and crucial role in general Black Liberation/Emancipation movement(s).
What I found especially appealing, was the interactive section on Black Pride. It was designed for young People of Colour to explore (issues of) Black self identity through short video testimonies, quotes from famous Black leaders, well-considered questions, a „guess my country“-game and more. The Multimedia Museum staff offer tours for school groups or private visitors at low fees.
In the exhibition itself (and, my guess is, at any other place in Liberty Hall), there was no mention of Garvey’s position being controversial and problematic. That’s to say, problematic for my perception of contemporary societal issues. This doesn’t make him less of an important historical character. Looking back, I am actually surprised the exhibition did not contain any information regarding the meaning of Garvey’s legacy for the present. Their Mission Statement quotes:
„The primary mission […] is to inform the public about the work of Jamaica’s First National Hero and to use his philosophy and Opinions to inspire excite and positively affect the self-identity of the Jamaican people while creating social and economic wealth.“ – Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey (A division of the Institute of Jamaica – an agency of the Ministry of Youth and Culture) 2017
Maybe Jamaican school curricula cover the critical reflection on the country’s National Heroes; maybe everyone already has a substantiated opinion on Garvey that actually relates to present-day Black liberation in Jamaica (and elsewhere). As a matter of fact, the friend, who joined me at the exhibition, had an opinion: He called Garvey’s way of „speaking to people from above“ and invading lives „a huge flaw“. A character flaw. I almost didn’t hear him at first, because he had lowered his voice (unnecessarily) severely, so as not to be overheard. Quote: „Can’t say that out too loud in Jamaica.“ Well, he’s agreed on sharing his thoughts on Jamaica’s First National Hero Marcus Garvey with me more detailed some time, so I’ll keep you up to date.
Fun fact 2: Things Jamaicans (of Colour) have said to me
„We don’t see colour.“ / „We are multicultural.“ / (With regards to UNESCO activities against racism) „We don’t have an issue with that, we don’t need that.“ / (Pointing at a group of Uptown youth) „They’re afrocentric.“ / (Re-occurring mention of human ‚races‘ with the strong connotation of them being a biological category).
During my last two years as a university student in my birth city, I have learned to see colour, to perceive the concept of multiculturalism as racist and, thus, reject it, and I have learned that structural racism is a global phenomenon despite its different manifestations. I am confused. So, what do I do with these statements? I accept them, first, and continue to listen and ask questions to find out, how Jamaican society and individuals relate to matters of ‚race‘ and racism.