The Last Living Bedwardite | Defector
Briefly

August Town, a Kingston suburb established as a refuge for freedmen, embodies a crucial chapter in Jamaica's history of black liberation. Its name commemorates Emancipation Day, while its murals celebrate iconic figures like Marcus Garvey. Garvey's recent presidential pardon highlights his enduring legacy in advocating for black rights globally. Additionally, Alexander Bedward's church reflects the historical discontent of freed blacks, who sought independence from colonial influences and established the Native Baptist Church to reclaim their spiritual autonomy. This narrative illustrates the complex interplay of race, faith, and activism in shaping modern Jamaican identity.
"Jamaica's modern history is perhaps best understood through the schisms and revivals that motivated Bedward to start the Native Baptist Church in the late 19th century..."
"Marcus Garvey's likeness appears on the $20 coin, symbolizing his monumental influence and the ongoing relevance of black liberation movements."
"The legacy of Haile Selassie remains contentious; Rastafari followers venerate him, showing the complexity of identity and history in the Caribbean context."
"Garvey was convicted on trumped-up mail fraud charges in 1923, reflecting a broader narrative of activism undermined by systemic oppression and scrutiny."
Read at Defector
[
|
]