Date of Award

Spring 2024

Project Type

Dissertation

Program or Major

History

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

First Advisor

Jason Sokol

Second Advisor

Julia Rodriguez

Third Advisor

Funso Afolayan

Abstract

“From Garvey to King: How Jamaica Influenced the US Civil Rights Movement” interrogates the influence of Jamaica on African Americans during the Long Freedom Movement. While many historians have focused on the influence of African American leaders on other countries, such as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s global impact or the inspirational leadership of Stokely Carmichael on the African diaspora, no scholars have yet examined the significance of Jamaican activism, ideologies, and actions on African Americans. “From Garvey to King” situates Jamaica as central to transnational Black Nationalist and Black liberation ideologies, from the bottom up. From grassroots organizing to every-day Black American interest in Jamaican affairs, from radical Black militancy to Martin Luther King, Jr. himself, African Americans drew inspiration from Jamaica. This dissertation draws on newspaper articles, archival resources, speeches, letters, and literary analysis to show the many ways that Jamaica and Jamaican citizens inspired and influenced African Americans.

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