African nations are the world’s largest exporters of cobalt, diamonds, platinum, uranium, oil, gas, timber, gold, coltan, bauxite, ivory, cotton, coal, and rubber. European powers and white-owned companies in the U.S., Britain, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and France control these raw resources.
Rubber and Liberia, West Africa
In 2019, I traveled with a UNIA-ACL delegation to the beautiful, majestic West African country of Liberia. The history of Liberia, Marcus Garvey, and the UNIA runs very deep. The people were warm and extended their arms and hearts to welcome the Garveyites from the U.S. Comradeship and friendship with my brothers and sisters in West Africa has been strong for (5) years and counting.
In the 1920s, the United States’ rubber access was restricted by Britain and the Netherlands, which held a global monopoly on tires. Herbert Hoover, who was the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, put out a worldwide search for rubber plantations.
In 1926, the Liberian government granted the Firestone Rubber Company a (99) year lease of one million acres at (6) cents per acre. Firestone company, which is in control of the world’s largest rubber plantation, loans took a large part of Liberia government’s income-(20%) in 1929.
Today, Firestone/Bridgestone (Liberia) is the biggest tire manufacturer in the world, followed by Michelin Tires (France).
In 2016, Firestone Company had a gross revenue of 3.37 trillion and employed over 143,616 workers. American car owners have used Firestone tires for the last 104 years. The raw rubber from the plantations in Liberia, West Africa, has been used for Formula-1 car racing, roofing materials, textiles, Industrial fibers, Golf balls, sporting goods, construction materials, polyurethane foam products, conveyor belts, bikes, motorcycles, and hoses.
Marcus Garvey and the UNIA-ACL
In the 1920s, Marcus Garvey led a very powerful association that was headquartered in Harlem, U.S.A. Internationally, the UNIA had over (7) million members and instilled massive race pride into Black people. Under the leadership of Mr. Garvey, the UNIA established a constitution, international flag, chain of grocery stores, Phyllis Wheatley Hotel, Booker T. Washington University, Black doll factories, tailoring shops, steam laundry operations, Black Cross nurses, the African Legion (military), The Negro World Newspaper and The Universal Motor Corps (female military wing).
During this time period, the UNIA focused on an independent land base to protect, uplift, and develop international commerce. Mr. Garvey and the UNIA set their sites in Liberia, West Africa!
In May 1920, the Executive Council of the UNIA decided to send a delegation to Liberia to negotiate with the government regarding colonization. In a letter dated June 8, 1920, addressed to Hon. C. King -President of Liberia, the UNIA stated, “It is the intention of the UNIA to establish trade routes through a line of steamships, etc., to encourage the emigration to build up the country, to transfer its headquarters to Liberia, to bring medical and scientific units, etc. Therefore, the organization asks for a written assurance that every facility will be given to procure lands for business, agriculture, and industrial purposes.
In return, the organization, with its vast membership, will lend financial and moral support to the government to help her out of her present economic plight.” Commissioner Elie Garcia.
The government of Liberia responded in a letter on June 14, 1920, that “The President directs me to say in reply to your letter of June 8th setting forth the objects and purposes of the Universal Negro Improvement Association that the government of Liberia, appreciating as they do the aims of your organization as outlined by you, have no hesitancy in assuring you they will afford the Association every facility legally possible in effectuating in Liberia its industrial, agricultural and business project.
The news was read at the UNIA Convention, which resulted in a jubilant celebration from delegates and members in attendance.
Edwin Barclay, Liberian Secretary of State
The UNIA colonization of Liberia was now set and immediately put in motion. It would take several years of communication agreements, the transportation of machinery and equipment, the delegations of land surveyors and experts, and targeted land acquisitions to bring the agreement into reality. History teaches us that the land Firestone Company controlled was originally promised to the UNIA, which considered Liberia as the natural home for all Black people.
The second part of this important article will detail the betrayal and the reneged promise to Marcus Garvey and the UNIA. This act would allow Firestone company to take control of the land, accumulate wealth, and enjoy a rubber industry monopoly for the next century and beyond.
Khabyr Hadas is a teacher, lecturer, author, historian, and Founder of the Marcus Garvey Archival & History Foundation M.G A.H.F. khabyrhadas@gmail.com 267-531-8789
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