“Now is the time!” Black Speculative Arts Movement honours Marcus Mosiah Garvey “Look for me in the whirlwind.”

BY DAVE RANKIN

These prophetic words spoken close to a hundred years ago served as an inspiration for a virtual event I recently attended. Let’s face it; to commemorate a great ancestor is no small feat but to organize it in such a way where the global, and I truly mean global, African community takes part is just short of priceless.

The afro-futurist group Black Speculative Arts Movement Canada, also known as BSAM paid homage to the Right and Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey on his birthday, Monday August 17^th.

The event started with a rundown of the few projects that BSAM has participated in, sprinkled with those very same words, which served as the inspiration for the event. Narrated by Quentin “VerCetty” Lindsay, Marcus Garvey was labeled as the ultimate and original afro-futurist. Bold, brave and forward thinking. This led towards the introduction of the first speaker of the event, his son, Dr. Julius Garvey.

He began by saying his father’s legacy is still alive and that he served to “Unify all Africans fighting against discrimination, and police brutality more than 100 years ago.” These atrocities are still happening today. Dr. Garvey continued on to remind us that the Declaration of the Rights of Negro Peoples was an ideology seen by all Africans to come together without the help of the Caucasian. The theme of “Now is the time” echoed the remainder of his speech.

The one positive thing about virtual events is that you get a chance to learn things from people who live in different parts of the world, as I did that Monday. BSAM had members of their global membership speak of their love for Garvey and asked thought-provoking questions about the future. BSAM Germany’s Professor Natasha Kelly who asked, “How could Garvey be intertwined into the German framework so there is a connection?” Or Michael Bhatch from BSAM South Africa, a professor and DJ who proudly stated that, “Garvey’s image is everywhere!” This can be seen by the prominent Rastafarianism culture present just outside of Capetown.

We heard from Colombian born Esther Ojulari, now residing in the UK who told the audience that, “Pan Africa is central to the work she does.” Dr. Clem Guracha Marshall from Guyana with his elderly African wisdom advised us that, “The Door of No Return was broken by all Garveyites.” Toronto’s own Louis March of the Zero Gun Violence Movement was also present. The former vice president of the UNIA Toronto Chapter gave us a sample of history by informing us of what it was like to be a part of the Garvey inspired Black Youth Community Action Project (BYCAP).

It is no surprise that the legacy of this great man is still prominently acknowledged. We as a people must revisit the great Marcus Garvey’s thoughts, ideologies, and psychology. He had a vision that played out beautifully for our people during his time. If replicated, it could bring forth the changes that we need to lead our people into the future.

You missed it! No worries. You can catch the replay on YouTube