Leadership Style of Marcus Garvey - Essay Example

Marcus Garvey The political approach and leadership style that right activists adapt depend on the primary conditions that affect human life. Freedom, equality, and justice are some of the primary requirements that influenced the life of Marcus Garvey at an early age. Marcus Garvey a Jamaican saw the predicament of his people and joined Jamaican Nationalist Organization (Haugen 3). He valued the rights of his people and sought for an approach that would liberate his people from the tyranny of racial discrimination. Garvey toured many nations i.e. London, Central America, Jamaica, and United States of America among others. He was motivated by the predicaments of his people to form a civil right movement that intended to deliver the blacks from psychological bondage of racism. This paper analyses choices, motivation, and strategy of non-violent campaign and the leadership style of Marcus Garvey. Garvey’s approach to racial discrimination and colonialism in Africa and the rest of the world relied on his love for the black race. History quotes that he believed that Africans were able to compete with the whites for the top jobs (Haugen 8). The most pressing need that inspired Garvey to rally against the independence of Africans was taking control of their own destiny. He believed that Africans would improve their lives when they took control of their own destiny by instituting their own leaders. Garvey used UNIA as a tool that would bring the blacks together under one umbrella to address their social, economic, and freedom issues. For instance, the UNIA Conference held on 1 August 1920 intended to equip the African leaders with the conscious they required in order to fight for their independence (Haugen 6). The deliberation in the conference as expressed through the opening speech of Garvey shows that Garvey sought to change the conditions of life of Africans through a united movement. Garvey’s uses his own life a model that would shape the lives of the blacks. It is evident from his speech that his personal life motivated him to leadership position. His wish was to mould similar mind, which emulate his ideologies throughout the world. “I came from an environment that is not better than you…” (Hill & Garvey 45). The above is one of the quotes that he made during a gathering where he was addressing blacks. The nature of life in Jamaica and psychological inferiority of the blacks in the United States played a motivational role in influencing the writing, political and social life of Garvey. History documents that Garvey made unique choices in his political movement and social life. For instance, his letter to Theodore Roosevelt portrays an inclusive leadership approach that aim at promoting peace as well as quest for primary rights such democracy in the society. Garvey believed in freedom movements, which advocates for basic human rights through peaceful negotiation. He fought for black pride, which he believed, would come from education and self-realization. Another unique choice that he made during his leadership is to influence the opening of UNIA offices across the world where the blacks existed (Lawler & Davenport 85). This choice posed a great threat to his personal life as well as the governments that oppressed the blacks. The choice to meet the leaders of Ku Klux Kean is unique in the sense that the organization was against liberation of the black. Critical analysis into the leadership style of Garvey takes us to the transformational leadership style. In transformation leadership, four factors form the basis of transformational leadership. These factors are inspiration leadership, charismatic leadership, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation. Garvey intention was to rally intellectualism in creating leadership for Africa and the Negroes. He addressed large audience and insisted on the need for education as the foundation for freedom for the blacks (Haugen 4). Another observation is the charisma in his approach to political issues of his time. He commanded the masses using his independent ideas about the life that is good for humanity. He applied this charismatic approach in address different leaders across the political divide. Garvey inspired his audience to look forward to a better world through commitment and sheer work towards achieving these objectives. He realized his potential and molded that potential to attain the height of leadership. Inspiration leadership influences the lives of the subject through individual action of the leader in the society. Largely, in inspirational leadership approach Garvey used inspirational writings and speeches to inspire or influence the lives of his audiences. Notably, he did not advocate for shading of blood or rioting as means of addressing social grievances. Instead, he rooted for an inclusive dialogue process that would bring the warring parties together. Individualized consideration paves the path for reformation since it considers individual’s social conditions. For instance, the social conditions of life for the blacks in America and the black slaves elsewhere in the world motivated Garvey to champion for human rights (freedom, equality, and democracy). Not withstanding, he acknowledged the shading of blood in championing for freedom. Comparison of Garvey’s way of thinking and Martin Luther show some commonalities in individual quest for freedom of the black. In both cases, they advocated for a society that respected individual rights i.e. the rights of the underprivileged in the society (Hill & Garvey 45). Negro predicament led to the organization of civil right movement that Luther used to drum for equality for the blacks in non-violent manner. Luther became subject to intense pressure because of his call for non-violent approach. Just like Garvey, respect for humankind was a common thought shared by both of them. The heart of the political leadership hangs on the sound principles on respect for individual rights. For instance, Luther argued that voting political leadership that did not respect human rights of Vietnamese did not augur well with the Americans principles of human freedom. It is apparent that the prevailing conditions of social justice were the basis of argument that boarded the leadership of Garvey and Luther. They dreamt of a society where oppression did not count. Both alluded that freedom did not come easily, but people had to struggle and work for it even if it meant that some had to shed blood. Largely, bloodshed did not form the basis of their struggle for socially sound society. Unity of the blacks was paramount to the success of the civil movement. Garvey and Luther shared the idea of unity of humankind irrespective of color or race. This ideology is eminent through several meetings conducted by UNIA and civil liberty organizations presided over by Garvey and Luther. The political strategy was to form an organization that would act as a vehicle that moved masses. The organizations used by Garvey provided an opportunity for infiltrating different parts of the world with his powerful message of justice (Hill & Garvey 49). Opening of organization offices across the world promoted the interest of Garvey in drumming for justice. Comparing the thinking of Garvey to the thinking of Gandhi, Garvey advocated for non-violence approach in the struggle for freedom. As one of the core principle of Gandhi, non-violence does win the heart of the opponent who does not suffer. Although the immediate society in the Garvey’s time thought of violent resistance, Garvey did not in the least advocate for its use. Garvey made discussions with their perceived oppressors the whites in the like manner as Gandhi preaches in his principle of winning the enemy. The teachings of Gandhi characterized Garvey’s choices in calling for social tolerance of races as he advocated for social justice (Lawler & Davenport 68). For instance, the whites were able to recognize the ability of UNIA in its quest for a just society. Further, Luther applies the non-violent approach in leading his people to fight for justice. It is also evident the negative implications in the society did not deter the efforts of Garvey, Luther or Gandhi in advocating for just society. Their leadership inspired the society to work together as humankind. In summary, Garvey political and social leadership advocated for nonviolent quest for a just society. He grew from a humble background, motivated by the predicament of his own people to fight for justice to humankind. Garvey used transformational leadership approach to influence the lives of his followers. Garvey observed that delivering the society from psychological racial tyranny involved advocating for equal opportunities in the society. Garvey shared the Gandhi non-violent and friendly approach in handling opponents. Work cited Haugen, Brenda. Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist Crusader and Entrepreneur. Minnesota: Compass Point Books. 2008. Print. Hill, A. Robert, Garvey, Marcus et.al. The Marcus Garvey and Universal Negro Improvement Association Papers: November 1927-August 1940. California: University of California Press. 2006. Print. Lawler, Mary & Davenport, John. Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist Leader. New York: Infobase Publishing. 2004. Print. Read More