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Writer's pictureGeoffrey Philp

The Unlikely Collaboration Between Marcus Garvey and Madam C.J. Walker: Uplifting the Black Community Together


Two Icons of Black American Life
Marcus Garvey and Madam C. J. Walker

Introduction


Marcus Garvey and Madam C.J. Walker were iconic figures in Black history, each significantly advancing Black empowerment and economic self-reliance. Garvey, known for his Pan-Africanism and global Black unity efforts, emphasized racial pride and self-reliance. Walker, a pioneer of African American entrepreneurship, built a beauty empire that helped countless Black women achieve financial independence. Despite their differing approaches—Garvey focused on Black beauty and racial pride, and Walker with beauty products aimed at African American women—they found common ground in their commitment to Black empowerment.


Historical Context


Marcus Garvey's Vision: Pan-Africanism and Black Empowerment


Born in Jamaica in 1887, Marcus Garvey became a leader of the Pan-African movement, which sought to unite people of African descent globally. His vision encompassed racial pride, self-reliance, and establishing an independent Black nation in Africa. Through his Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), founded in 1914, Garvey promoted the idea that Black people should support Black-owned businesses, build their communities, and embrace their African heritage.


One of Garvey's central themes was the celebration of Black beauty. He famously said, "The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness." He believed African Americans should reject Eurocentric beauty standards and embrace their natural features. This message of Black pride underpinned Garvey's broader vision of racial empowerment.


Madam C.J. Walker's Rise in Beauty and Entrepreneurship


Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, is often celebrated as the first self-made African American female millionaire. After facing personal hardship, including working as a washerwoman, she developed a line of hair care products specifically for Black women. Her "Walker System," which included hair straighteners and scalp treatments, became a commercial success and empowered thousands of Black women who became independent sales agents.


While Walker's products helped Black women conform to Eurocentric beauty standards by straightening their hair, her underlying philosophy was empowerment. By improving their appearance, Walker believed, Black women could gain confidence and assert themselves in a society that marginalized them on both racial and gender lines. Walker used her wealth to support education and civil rights, becoming an advocate for the economic independence of African American women.


Philosophical Commonalities: Economic Independence and Self-Reliance


Garvey and Walker understood that economic independence was a critical pathway to racial equality. Garvey promoted Black-owned businesses, encouraging African Americans to rely on their own resources. His creation of the Negro Factories Corporation and the Black Star Line were part of a broader effort to build wealth within Black communities and reduce reliance on white-owned institutions.


Similarly, Madam C.J. Walker's success in the beauty industry allowed her to provide thousands of Black women jobs, offering them a path to financial independence. Like Garvey, she believed that economic self-reliance was essential for Black empowerment. While their approaches differed, both were committed to building economic opportunities for Black people, particularly in an era of pervasive racial discrimination.


Contrasting Visions: Black Beauty and Empowerment


Garvey's promotion of Black beauty was rooted in rejecting Eurocentric standards. He famously declared, "Take the kinks out of your mind, not out of your hair," urging Black people to embrace their natural appearance. For Garvey, beauty was symbolic of racial pride, and he believed that true empowerment would only come when Black people stopped trying to imitate the physical features of white people.


In contrast, as some have suggested, Madam C.J. Walker's hair care products were not originally intended to promote Eurocentric beauty standards. Her initial focus was on improving scalp health and hair growth for Black women who suffered from hair loss and scalp ailments, conditions exacerbated by a lack of products designed for African American hair. Although her products did help straighten hair, her primary mission was empowerment through financial independence, as her business provided Black women with economic opportunities.


Walker's success allowed her to extend her impact beyond beauty. She became an advocate for Black causes, contributing to civil rights efforts, including the anti-lynching movement. Though her approach to beauty differed from Garvey's, they both sought to uplift the Black community through economic independence and empowerment.


Despite their contrasting perspectives on beauty, Walker financially supported Garvey's UNIA and attended his events. This collaboration highlights the complexity of leadership within the broader struggle for racial equality and economic independence.


Collaborative Influence: Working Toward a Common Cause


Madam C.J. Walker's financial support of Garvey's movement demonstrates that, despite their differences, they recognized the importance of unity in the fight for Black empowerment. Walker, whose business thrived by promoting personal care and appearance, saw the value in Garvey's message of racial pride and economic independence.


Though critical of aspects of Black beauty culture, Garvey understood the significance of Walker's contribution to the economic independence of Black women. Their collaboration, despite their differences, speaks to the complexity of leadership in the struggle for racial equality.


Broader Legacy: Inspiring Black Entrepreneurship and Activism Today


The legacies of Marcus Garvey and Madam C.J. Walker continue to inspire Black entrepreneurship and activism. Their collaboration underscores the importance of financial independence in achieving racial equality. Modern movements for Black empowerment, such as promoting Black-owned businesses and initiatives aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, are built on the foundation of Garvey and Walker.


Their work also reminds us that different approaches can coexist in the broader struggle for justice. Today's movements for racial equality, such as Black Lives Matter and campaigns for reparations, echo Garvey and Walker's calls for self-reliance, economic independence, and pride in Black identity.


Conclusion


Marcus Garvey and Madam C.J. Walker were two extraordinary individuals who shared a common goal: uplifting the Black community despite their differing views on beauty and empowerment. Their collaboration, though unlikely, highlights the importance of unity in the fight for racial equality. Their legacies inspire generations of Black entrepreneurs and activists, demonstrating that economic independence and racial pride remain vital components of the ongoing struggle for justice.


FAQ Section


How did Marcus Garvey influence Madam C.J. Walker?

Garvey's emphasis on Black economic independence and self-reliance resonated with Madam C.J. Walker. Despite their differences on beauty standards, they collaborated for the common goal of Black empowerment.


Did Madam C.J. Walker support Marcus Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement?

While Madam C.J. Walker did not actively support Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement, she contributed financially to his broader efforts in Black economic empowerment.


What were Marcus Garvey's beliefs about Black beauty and self-reliance?

Garvey believed in racial pride and encouraged Black people to embrace their natural features. He famously said, "Take the kinks out of your mind, not out of your hair," emphasizing mental empowerment over physical conformity.


How did Marcus Garvey and Madam C.J. Walker's work impact future Black entrepreneurs?

Garvey and Walker's emphasis on self-reliance and economic independence continues to inspire Black entrepreneurship. Their legacies are evident in the modern push for Black-owned businesses and economic empowerment initiatives.


Works Cited


Bundles, A'Lelia. On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker. Scribner, 2001.

Bundles, A'Lelia. “Untangling Madam C.J. Walker’s Story.” African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS), 2020, https://www.aaihs.org/untangling-madam-c-j-walkers-story/.

“21 Marcus Garvey Quotes You Should Know.” Jamaicans.com, 2019, https://jamaicans.com/21-marcus-garvey-quotes-you-should-know/.

Garvey, Marcus. The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey. Majority Press, 1986.

Hill, Robert A., editor. Marcus Garvey: Life and Lessons. University of California Press, 1987.

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