Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican man of an idiosyncratic nature. He was fervent in his role of African-American advocacy, and earned his title as “easily the most controversial figure associated with Harlem in the 1920s” (Gates and Smith 984). This controversial connotation stems not only from his distinctive opinions regarding Pan-Africanism, but also from how he presented his justifications, especially in writing. In his works, Garvey employs several rhetorical strategies which function successfully to support his main argument for African-American colonization in Africa. However, some of his techniques also threaten to undermine his overall political platform. For starters, although Garvey went through a dramatic transformation from “marginal
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Of course, the best way to cultivate an interest in future hope, is by establishing current dismay and pessimism. Garvey achieves this through suggesting that the idea of equal and harmonious relations between whites and blacks is ultimately a futile endeavor. Specifically, he pens that an incorrect notion is that “the black man would ultimately work out his existence alongside the white man in countries founded and established by the latter” ("Africa for the Africans" 986). Garvey responds to this by offering a promise of satisfaction, through African colonization, in his work The Future as I See It. In this piece, his rhetorical strategy is to acquire support by providing his audience with ambition through using empowering language. Specifically, Garvey implements phrases such as, “The Negro is Ready” and “we shall be heard… we shall be given the rights to which we are entitled” ("The Future as I See It" 989). Other optimistic, and forward-looking statements include “men of the Negro race, let me say to you that a greater future is in store for us; we have no cause to lose hope, to become faint-hearted” ("The Future as I See It" 990). These lines, among others, offer readers an affirmation of success and accomplishment if they follow Garvey to the ‘Promised Land’ that is
Of course, the best way to cultivate an interest in future hope, is by establishing current dismay and pessimism. Garvey achieves this through suggesting that the idea of equal and harmonious relations between whites and blacks is ultimately a futile endeavor. Specifically, he pens that an incorrect notion is that “the black man would ultimately work out his existence alongside the white man in countries founded and established by the latter” ("Africa for the Africans" 986). Garvey responds to this by offering a promise of satisfaction, through African colonization, in his work The Future as I See It. In this piece, his rhetorical strategy is to acquire support by providing his audience with ambition through using empowering language. Specifically, Garvey implements phrases such as, “The Negro is Ready” and “we shall be heard… we shall be given the rights to which we are entitled” ("The Future as I See It" 989). Other optimistic, and forward-looking statements include “men of the Negro race, let me say to you that a greater future is in store for us; we have no cause to lose hope, to become faint-hearted” ("The Future as I See It" 990). These lines, among others, offer readers an affirmation of success and accomplishment if they follow Garvey to the ‘Promised Land’ that is