This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

"Poetry for the People": Reading Garveyism through Poetry

Women, men, and children

A few lines previous, the emphasis was on "men of other races," but here the categories are expanded to include "Women, men, and children." Does this indicate equal political involvement for black people in the movement, regardless of gender? Or does the word "men," taken as the neuter or the default, nonetheless position women as secondary?

This page is referenced by:

A Call to Race Manhood, by H. Percival Welsh
Fellowmen of Negro blood,
With undaunted faith in God,
Come along, and take your places
With the men of other races.
Though we long have trampled been,
We a ray of hope have seen.
Women, men, and children small,
List to Marcus Garvey’s call.

Men of Ethiopia’s race,
You are Negroes, ‘tis no disgrace.
Let us then united be
In our fight for liberty.

U.N.I.A. and A.C.L.
Wheresoever man may dwell,
Your flag of red, and black, and green
High above all shall be seen.

Africa shall win the day
Though men and devils be in the way,
We are in the fight ‘gainst might.
God is with us; all is right.
   H. Percival Welsh
   President U.N.I.A.
   43 Barnett Street, Montego Bay

From the February 19, 1921 issue.