... Garvey’s work and ideas still relevant
IN A message on his behalf and that of Professor Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr Richard Vernal, provice-chancellor for global affairs, said the mounting of the bust of the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey on the Mona campus was appropriate because of the contribution of Garvey’s work and ideas, which are still relevant because people in Jamaica are still bleaching, and because Garvey was one of the first people to call for a university to be established in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
“It is symbolic of our past struggles, it is symbolic of our working together as Africans at home and abroad for a better future for all people of African descent,” Dr Vernal also said.
Prior to the unveiling of the statue done by sculptor Raymond Watson, Professor Archibald McDonald, pro-vicechancellor and principal of UWI, said it was a significant moment to honour the “prophet” from home. He referred to Garvey as a global and anticolonial champion, PanAfricanist extraordinaire, who had inspired “every” major black movement and president in Africa and the Americas. The project he said was supported by the UWI administration, which is proud to acknowledge Garvey’s influence and long legacy.
“In supporting the realisation of this monument to be unveiled, it is our hope that students, faculty members, and visitors to the campus will see a vision of self, one of greatness that breaks the mental and physical chains of oppression that try to tell us that we are anything but worthy and proud,” Professor McDonald said.
Among the persons in attendance at last Friday’s unveiling were former principal of the Mona campus and former governor general, Sir Kenneth Hall; UWI officials and educators; a delegation from Nigeria; past and present students; members of the Rastafarian community; former prime minister Bruce Golding and his son, Stephen; president of the Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica, and popular Garveyite, Queen Mother Miriamne Samad.