W.E.B. Du Bois
Marcus Garvey
Malcolm X
 To get a clearer academic perspective of each man’s role in the struggle of the
liberation of Africans worldwide.
 To challenge my own opinions about and prejudices toward each man’s legacy
 To learn from each man’s pan-African influence for possible application to pan-
African efforts today.
The following definition is an excerpt from Minkah Makalani, professor of African
Studies at Rutgers University:
Pan-Africanism represents the complexities of black political and intellectual
thought over two hundred years. What constitutes Pan-Africanism, what one might
include in a Pan-African movement often changes according to whether the focus is
on politics, ideology, organizations, or culture. Pan-Africanism actually reflects a
range of political views. At a basic level, it is a belief that African peoples, both on
the African continent and in the Diaspora, share not merely a common history, but a
common destiny. This sense of interconnected pasts and futures has taken many
forms, especially in the creation of political institutions. (Makalani, 2011)
Notable quotes:
 Discrimination based simply and solely on physical peculiarities, place of birth, color
of skin are relics of that unreasoning human savagery of which the world is and ought
to be thoroughly ashamed. ~W.E.B. Du Bois
 The denial of rights and opportunities to ten million Americans of Negro descent is not
only unjust and a menace to our free institutions, but also is a direct hindrance to World
Peace and the realization of Human Brotherhood. ~The Crisis
 One thing alone I charge you. As you live, believe in Life! Always human beings will
live and progress to greater, broader and fuller life. The only possible death is to lose
belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long.
~W.E.B. Du Bois in his last statement to the world, 1963
His Attributes and Achievements
His Shortcomings and Failures
 He developed the science of sociology
 Even though resolutions condemning
in America
 He founded the Niagara Movement
(1907)--- the precursor to the NAACP
(1910)
 He convened/participated in the 5
pan-African congresses from 1919 to
1945.
 He was resolute about the causes he
supported and willing to change his
opinions with studied insight.
colonialism and oppression on
African people were passed in the
Pan-African congresses convened by
Du Bois, little concrete action was
taken. (paraphrased from NAACP
History: W.E.B. Du Bois)
 He was perceived as bourgeois by
the poor black masses.
Notable Quotes:
 Lagging behind in the van of civilization will not prove our higher abilities. Being
subservient to the will and caprice of progressive races will not prove anything
superior in us. Being satisfied to drink of the dregs from the cup of human progress
will not demonstrate our fitness as a people to exist alongside of others, but when of
our own initiative we strike out to build industries, governments, and ultimately
empires, then and only then will we as a race prove to our Creator and to man in
general that we are fit to survive and capable of shaping our own destiny.
 UP!UP! You Mighty Race! You can Accomplish What you will! I repeat that God created
you masters of your own destiny, masters of your own fate, and you can pay no higher
tribute to your Divine Master than function as man, as He created you.
 A people without knowledge of their past and history is like a tree without roots!
~Marcus Garvey
His Attributes and Achievements
 He co-founded the UNIA in 1914.
 He internationalized the vision of
building an African nation.
 He took practical measures toward
black autonomy self-sufficiency in
business and community enterprises.
His Shortcomings and Failures
 He was contentious and created
enemies out of allies.
 He failed to delegate management of
UNIA affairs to qualified leaders.
 He made his position and control
over the UNIA more important than
the Pan-African objectives of the
organization.
Notable Quotes:
 We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a
human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this
earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means
necessary.
 The only way we'll get freedom for ourselves is to identify ourselves with every
oppressed people in the world. We are blood brothers to the people of Brazil,
Venezuelan Haiti and Cuba.
 You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is
wrong, no matter who does it or says it.
Malcolm X
(El Hajj Malik El Shabazz)
His Attributes and Achievements
 He founded the OAAU
 He was outspoken about the social,
racial and political injustices
experienced by African Americans.
 He was successful in convening the
UN to hear charges against the US of
crimes against humanity
 He legitimized self-defense as a
means to stand up against racial
violence. (By any means necessary)
His Shortcomings and Failures
 He muted his aspirations for unifying
and mobilizing African Americans
while under the leadership of Elijah
Muhammad of the NOI.
 His characterization of white men as
‘the Devil’ during his time with the
NOI marginalized his message in the
main stream media.
 Du Bois a Chronology:
http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/dubois/?page_id=860
 Du Bois the Activist:
http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/exhibits/dubois/intro.htm
 UNIA-ACL Website:
http://www.cbpm.org/unia-acl.html
 Quotes from Marcus Garvey:
http://africanamericanquotes.org/marcus-garvey.html
 Malcolm X Official Website:
http://www.malcolmx.com/index.html