HIS SIMPLE REQUEST: ONE GOD, ONE AIM, ONE DESTINY

What makes a man great? Is it his unwavering commitment to his beliefs? For many this describes Marcus Garvey, the national hero of Jamaica. As the leader of the largest international organization of Blacks, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Garvey fought against injustice wherever it reared its ugly head.

His unceasing drive for Black self-sufficiency and independence paved the way for many Blacks to take charge of their lives. He once observed that "according to the commonest principles of human action, no man will do as much for you as you will do for yourself".

Today Garvey's memory evokes pride within the Black race and a desire, among many, to recommit to the powerful idea of self-help. In the 1920s not everyone agreed with Garvey's vision for Black economic independence and opposing forces within the US soon targeted him as a threat to the status quo.

Almost 75 years following his conviction in US courts, the Institute of Caribbean Studies together with Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) is continuing the fight to clear Garvey's name. Garvey never wavered in his opposition to economic, political, and social inequities.

It did not matter whether the system of prejudice went beyond his native Jamaica. He despised it everywhere.

His travels throughout the Caribbean and Central America confirmed that prejudice knew no borders and increased his determination to fight it at all costs. This determination to bring about a radical shift within the system inspired Garvey and gave birth to the UNIA, on August 1, 1914, in Jamaica. Through the UNIA - with almost one thousand chapters world-wide - Garvey propelled millions to the cause of correcting the injustices Blacks suffered.

With the establishment of the first US branch of the UNIA in 1917, Garvey and his message permeated the psyche of America.

Many Blacks seized the chance to identify with a movement that addressed their primary concerns for equality, survival, and respect for simple human decency. (Most) whites, however, shivered at the prospect of the inequities in the system exposed to the scrutiny of all who cared to examine it. More important, it was disturbing to whites because an individual who was supposed to accept his condition was the person exposing the flaws.

To Garvey, his role was clear: an advocate for change. In the segregated cities and towns of early Twentieth century America tensions were ripe as those inflicting the pain grasped at every change to avoid accountability. According to one writer, Garveyism "awakened a race consciousness that made Harlem felt around the world".

Garvey asked Blacks to aspire toward "One God, One Aim, One Destiny". He convinced them that, by accepting the movement and its principles, they could solve many of their problems. His was a powerful, rhythmic call that moved many to join the movement and in seven short years he built a following that was both admired and despised.

He called for Black economic empowerment through business and other professional activities.

These included the opening of grocery stores and laundromats, and the publishing of the Negro World newspaper in English, Spanish, and French. Members were also offered the chance to return to Africa - if they wanted - using Black-owned steamships. These efforts reduced the limitations placed on Blacks and were a threat to the system.

Soon forces were marshaled against him, some of them from within certain quarters of the Black community. Their singular purpose: the destruction of Garvey and the movement.

Government forces were led by a young official called J. Edgar Hoover. Destroying Garvey became a priority of Hoover who was eager to advance within the government service. Spurred on by Hoover, federal authorities soon placed Garvey under surveillance and sought ways to topple his organization.

The government's willingness to use every means available to silence him clearly shows the strength of Garvey's appeal and power. He represented for the Black race then and today, a willingness to resolutely defend one's interests, at all costs. In the end Hoover snared his first victim in his crusade against Black leaders.

Congressman Rangel's constituency - Harlem and the surrounding districts - was fertile ground for Garvey to address the urgency of Black economic empowerment. That message resonates even today and will continue to be a beacon of hope for those who are yet to advance beyond the limits placed on them. Between 1985 and 1991, Rangel introduced nine concurrent resolutions to clear Garvey's name.

Unfortunately, none was successful. H Res 216 sponsored by Congressman Rangel this year argues that "Garvey's life and contributions to the United States should be recognized and appropriate steps taken to restore his name and reputation in this country".

The Institute of Caribbean Studies views the campaign as part of its mandate to engage in and promote issues that affect the Caribbean. It also maintains that Garvey's life influenced all in the African diaspora and that it is its duty to help in restoring his name. Some will condemn the idea of exoneration, arguing that it is in the past and must not be revisited.

Others may say that Garvey was foreign-born, Black, and is not the example that merits such action. The philosophical argument suggests that time heals all ills. Or, that over time, negative views will benefit from a level of maturity, leading to enlightened understanding among all. That argument is often used to denounce American attempts to come clean on the issues of state sanctioned discrimination and laws that perpetuate such evils.

Those issues arose recently in response to consideration of a US government apology for slavery. The idea encountered remarkably fierce responses. Most of the anger came from whites, with at least one individual suggesting that he deserves an apology for his great-grandfather's loss of slaves. It is a preposterous notion! Blacks, on the other hand, appear to view such an apology as a half-baked gesture. They would only accept, it seems, a substantive package that would leave no doubt about the intentions of the main beneficiaries of slavery. I cannot fault that position. These reactions clearly suggest that conflicts and bad feelings have not ceased (and do not), despite the passage of time.

The exoneration campaign faces similar hurdles as the demarcation that emerged on the issue of an apology for slavery.

Unfortunately, race is usually a very powerful marker, of conscience and association. Supporters of the campaign may be overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, Black. Few whites may be prepared to associate themselves with this campaign. The price to them, even now, may be too much. Passive support, though, may be forthcoming and is a more realistic possibility.

That Garvey was not an American gives another dimension to success with the campaign. Current social, economic, and political realities in the US imply defeat. It is a climate characterized as politically conservative, insular, anti-immigrant, with closeted, residual discrimination. Even the best intentions of liberals cannot guarantee passage of the legislation. We are strengthened however by Garvey's words: "To be once defeated is to find cause for an everlasting struggle to reach the top."