Marcus Garvey and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) promoted different strategies and focused on various aspects of the civil rights struggle. Here's a comparison of their approaches:
1. Advocacy Style:
- Garvey: Garvey's approach was grounded in black nationalism, self-reliance, and economic empowerment. He advocated for the establishment of a separate African nation or homeland, known as the "Back-to-Africa" movement.
- NAACP: The NAACP, on the other hand, focused on legal advocacy and litigation to fight racial discrimination and segregation in the United States. They pursued the integration of African Americans into American society and equal access to civil rights.
2. Target Audience and Scope of Change:
- Garvey: Garvey's appeal was primarily to the African American community. He wanted to unify and empower African Americans, promoting the idea that they should create and sustain their own institutions and businesses.
- NAACP: The NAACP's efforts were directed at the broader American public and legal systems. They sought to challenge discriminatory laws and practices through legal battles, public awareness campaigns, and political lobbying.
3. Methods of Protest:
- Garvey: Garvey often used provocative rhetoric and organized massive rallies and parades. He believed in the power of collective action, such as boycotts and the economic withdrawal from white-owned enterprises.
- NAACP: The NAACP employed a more moderate and legalistic approach, seeking legal remedies through the courts and legislation. They pursued strategies like lawsuits, court challenges, and lobbying for civil rights legislation.
4. International Perspective:
- Garvey: Garvey envisioned a global movement and had ties to the Pan-Africanism movement, which sought unity among people of African descent worldwide.
- NAACP: While the NAACP also had connections to international civil rights initiatives, its primary focus was on securing civil rights for African Americans within the United States.
In summary, Marcus Garvey's approach to civil rights was rooted in black nationalism and economic self-reliance, targeting primarily the African American community. The NAACP pursued legal advocacy and integration, aiming to dismantle discriminatory laws and practices in the American legal and social system. While both Garvey and the NAACP contributed significantly to the broader civil rights movement, their approaches and strategies differed in their focus, methods of protest, and the scope of change they sought.