The Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World was signed on August 13, 1920. The event was convened by the of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. It was chaired by UNIA President General Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Declaration 39 states:
“That the colors, Red, Black and Green, be the colors of the Negro race.”
Declaration 39 of the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World
During the African Independence explosion and civil rights movement of the 1960s the Red, Black and Green saw a resurgence of popularity. In addition to the RBG being used as a model for flags in countries gaining independence such as Kenya, Zambia, Sudan, Libya, Ghana and others it was used as a symbol for unity in the United States of America.
Along with independence came the need to express a national identity. One expression of national identity occurred in Jamaica. This was accomplished through the naming of “National Heroes” the first of which was Marcus Garvey. Garvey’s enshrinement in Kingston’s National Heroes Park on November 15, 1964 drew worldwide attention to his widow, Amy Jacques Garvey. During the sixties she authored two books “Garvey and Garveyism” and “Black Power in America: The Power of the Human Spirit.” Garvey and Garveyism was originally published in 1963, going through at least four printings by 1978. In it she laid out what Marcus Garvey did for Jamaicans in particular and Africans the world over in general. In Black Power in America: The Power of the Human Spirit, she explored the idea of Black Power and its origins with the words, works and deeds of Marcus Garvey. Amy Jacques Garvey also wrote a pledge to the flag entitled “THIS FLAG OF MINE.”
The U.N.I.A. official Ode to The Flag is entitled, “This Flag of Mine”.
“THIS FLAG OF MINE” by Amy Jacques Garvey
Regardless of what is told of it,
Here’s to this flag of mine
The Red, Black and Green
Hopes in its future bright
Africa has seen.
Here’s to the Red of it,
Great nations shall know of it
In time to come.
Red blood shall flow of it,
Historians shall write of it,
Great flag of mine.
Here’s to the Black of it
Four hundred millions back of it,
Whose destiny depends on it
The RED, BLACK and GREEN of it,
Oh, Flag of Mine.
Here’s to the Green of it
Young men shall dream of it,
Face shot and shells of it
Waving so high.
Here’s to the whole of it
Colors bright and pole of it
Pleased is my soul with it
Regardless of what is told of it,
Thanks God for giving it
Great Flag of Mine.
