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Our Heroes:
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Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), was a black leader who started a "Back-to-Africa" movement in the United States. Garvey believed that blacks would never receive justice in countries where most of the people were white. He preached that blacks should consider Africa their homeland and that they should settle there |
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william Gordon
George William Gordon, the son of a planter and one of his female slaves was born at Cherry Garden Estate in St. Andrew. Gordon was self-educated and became a successful landowner and businessman. He was one of the original founding members of the Jamaica Mutual Life Society, an insurance company. Gordon was an exceptional "free coloured"; he championed the cause of poor blacks. As a member of the Jamaica Assembly, his defense of the social and moral rights of the oppressed made him an enemy of the Colonial establishment, particularly Governor John Eyre.
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Nanny
Nanny was born in Africa. She was brought to Jamaica as a slave. She was from the Ashanti tribe. Nanny is known to the Maroons of today as “Granny Nannyâ€. The Ashanti tribe was one of the powerful tribes in West Africa. They were well trained in fighting battles. Their women were greatly respected. Their women also knew about fighting battles. When Nanny arrived in Jamaica, rebellion against slavery was going on. Rebel towns (the towns of run-away slaves) were all over the island. The Maroon villages were the strongest of these rebel out.
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Sir Alaxander Bustamante
Alexander Bustamante founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) in 1938 and was also founder of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). He became Jamaica's first Prime Minister in 1962 He retired from active politics in 1967. He died on August 6, 1977, at the age of 93. The house in which he was born in Blenheim, Hanover is now a National Monument |
Sam Sharp
Samuel Sharp also called 'Daddy' Sharpe, was a Deacon at the Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay. He spent most of his time travelling to different estates in St. James educating the slaves about Christianity and of freedom. Sharpe had formed a Secret Society among the slaves and many of his meetings were held at night. In 1831 he led the Christmas Rebellion which started at Kensington Estate in St. James and then spread throughout the western end of the island. |
