2 months ago
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The Belize Chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) held a celebration in Belize City over the weekend to mark the birthday of its founder, renowned Jamaican political activist Marcus Garvey. On Sunday, the UNIA held an open day on Central American Boulevard, where members of the public could walk in and learn about Garvey, his push for the empowerment of black people, and his ties to Belize. Emmerson Guild, third assistant president for the UNIA in Belize, says that he believes educating Belizeans on history is a powerful means of effecting positive societal change.
The organization has been celebrating Garvey’s birthday in Belize for over 30 years. Garvey, who lived from August 17, 1887, to June 10, 1940, spent much of his life advocating for those of African descent. In a speech delivered in 1937, he famously called on blacks to emancipate themselves from mental slavery, a statement that would be popularized by Bob Marley in his iconic Redemption Song.
English (US) ·