Even after all these gains, African Americans were still subjected to systemic discrimination, violence and racism. In a confrontation in 1955 saw Rosa Parks being arrested for not vacating a segregated bus. Out of this incident, the Civil Rights Movement (History.com Editors, 2009) was founded by activists such as Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X and whose efforts resulted in the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964( History.com Editors, 2009). This ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex and national origin. The Movement came to an end in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King but his words “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy” remain unfulfilled at present. 

 When it comes to the social ills of American society, the statistics weigh heavily against Africans in the areas of crimes, homelessness, unemployment, underemployment, opportunity for quality schoolings and participation in the politics, sports and the film industry. Africans are more likely to be profiled as criminals, experience violence and even death by the police. All this exploded with the killing of George Floyd, an African on May 25, 2020. It has received global recognition, such that in the USA and in other jurisdictions many have rallied behind the Movement to demand actions are being taken to eliminate all things that connote racism/slavery such as monuments, flags, laws, rules, objects and products, whether material or symbolic, be destroyed, modified or removed because Black Lives Matter. The mission of the Movement is yet to be fully realized.

 

The Africans were brought in as slaves to replace the native from the early sixteenth century by the shiploads to provide cheap labour for the estates. Even before leaving Africa, the slaves have been resisting the inhumane treatment meted out to them and during the period of slavery, the resistance took action such as, such as running away, rebellion, marronage, abortion, malingering, suicide, infanticide and sabotage, because their Black Lives Matter.

The Haitian Revolution and subsequent independence of 1804 gave hope for the freedom of all African slaves. The Haitians were conscious that Black Lives Matter and took matters in their own hands and realize in hindsight gist of the mission of the Movement. The sacrifice of many abolitionists resulted in slavery in the English colonies being abolished in 1834, which was declared by Frederick Douglass as a “splendid achievement, a glorious triumph of justice, love and mercy over avarice, pride and cruelty” (Cudjoe, 2020). 

 

However, after emancipation, the expectations and hopes of the former slaves for a better life did not materialized. From then to the present, the lives of many Africans in the Caribbean were not much different from those of the USA.  Africans were not treated as equal to the white settlers but as the lowest strata of society in which systemic discrimination and injustices deprived them of opportunities for social and economic upward mobility. However, Marcus Garvey’s exhortation to his fellow Africans of “I am equal to any Whiteman; I want you to feel the same way” and his famous phrase “Black is beautiful” contributed in raising the psyche of the African consciousness that Black Lives Matter and that they must continue the struggle.

Marcus Garvey’s legacy (History.com Editors, 2009) to bring about changes for the betterment of his African fellowmen is best exemplified in his words: “we must canonize our own saints, create our own martyrs, and elevate to positions of fame and honour black men and women who have made their distinct contribution to our racial history.” Likewise, Una Marson of Jamaica “came to the realization that Africa mattered: that its cultures, people and wisdoms equalled those of Europe”. Many black people have taken up the challenge and brought fame and honour to themselves and their people and in the Caribbean, many have excelled in the world stage; such as Dereck Walcott and Sir Arthur Lewis, Nobel laureates; Brian Lara and Usain Bolt for sports; Penny Commissiong,  Miss Universe; and  ANR Robinson, in establishing the International Criminal Court.

The contribution of these Caribbean heroes are no greater than the many heroes who led the struggle, post slavery, for self-determination of the Caribbean and by extension of the African people for adult suffrage, right to participate in the democratic process and independence for the respective nations. Independence has given these new nations the power and authority to make the changes necessary for the betterment of their citizens. They took it upon themselves to fulfil the obligation of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular “to promote social progress and better standard of life in larger freedom”.  They united to form CARICOM for the promotion of trade and CARIFESTA to promote and showcase the cultural expressions of the Caribbean peoples. Coincidently, these are also in line with the aspiration and mission of the BLM Movement. 

Although some progress was made, many Africans felt disenchanted, marginalized and alienated and blame this on the new elites who emerged; and the structures and systems left over from the colonial era favouring them. Many Africans rose to the challenge to correct the injustices perpetuated against black lives. They agitated for meaningful changes to eliminate the imbalances where identified. Through the trade unions, some progress was made. The Revolution of 1970 (Trinidad and Tobago News Blog, 2011) in Trinidad and Tobago broke some racial and class barriers. In Guyana, Walter Rodney (The Walter Rodney Foundation, 2020) was assassinated for his role in improving the lot for Africans but a foundation in his honour still see the need to continue the struggle.

Although the political power of the Caribbean is now mostly in the hands of the Africans, they do not have the economic resources to meet their developmental needs. Most of the big businesses, including financial institutions are controlled by the new elites and white owners/foreigners, who control most of the wealth. Many Africans are still not economically and socially in a better place. Dr Angela Davis, an activist, said that many of the social ills plaguing the African Americans are also affecting Africans in the Caribbean and are hindering them from realizing their full potential and enjoyment of an acceptable quality of life. Shortage of housing, unemployment, adequate health care, poverty, gender biases and crime are major issues confronting the region. However, against these obstacles, Africans have created, over many decades, a cultural identity for themselves, as each nation has developed its own unique traditions to give expression to their Black Lives. In music for example in Trinidad and Tobago, there is calypso, carnival and steel pan; Barbados has crop over festival; Jamaica has reggae. After many years of struggle, and overcoming many challenges, these are now internationally recognized. Also, some countries have a public holiday to celebrate and remember African Emancipation so that history does not repeat itself. Perhaps Africans now need to make an advance leap as Marcus Garvey had advised that until African produce what the Whiteman has produced, they will not be his equal.

 

Chieco, Brandy. “Black Lives Matter.” Brandychieco.com/Portfolio, 2020, https://brandychieco.com/portfolio. 

Clemons, Steve. “Angela Davis: 'Racism Is Embedded in the Fabric of This Country' | The Bottom Line.” Al Jazeera, 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LiMOThNpxU. 

Cudjoe, Selwyn R. “Black American Lives Have Always Mattered...” Trinicenter.com, 2020, www.trinicenter.com/Cudjoe/2020/2906b.htm.

History.com Editors. “Civil Rights Movement.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 27 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement.

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History.com Editors. “Marcus Garvey.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/black-history/marcus-garvey.

History.com Editors. “Reconstruction.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/reconstruction.

Jones-Castro, Andrene, and David John. “5 Reasons the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Is Just as Relevant Today.” Education Post, 20 July 2016, https://educationpost.org/5-reasons-the-civil-rights-act-of-1964-is-just-as-relevant-today/.

Nantambu, Kwame. “LEGACY OF 1970 EVENTS: REVOLUTION, WHAT REVOLUTION?” Trinidad and Tobago News Blog, 10 Jan. 2011, www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=4847.

Sant, Rosemary. “The Fiery Rage of the Marginalised.” Trinidad Editorial Guardian, 1 July 2020, p. 12.

“Sharing the Life and Works of Dr. Walter Rodney.” The Walter Rodney Foundation, 2020, www.walterrodneyfoundation.org/.

Tomlinson, Lisa. Una Marson. The University of the West Indies Press, 2019,pp.20-21.

“What We Believe.” Black Lives Matter, 7 Sept. 2019, https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/.