Summary of "The Red, the Black, and the Green" – 99% Invisible

Podcast Information

• Title: 99% Invisible
• Host: Roman Mars
• Episode: The Red, the Black, and the Green
• Release Date: June 17, 2025
• Description: This episode delves into the history and significance of the Pan African flag, exploring its origins, symbolism, and enduring legacy within the Black community worldwide.

Introduction to the Flag and Its Significance

Christopher Johnson opens the episode by contextualizing the significance of the colors red, black, and green in recent Black Lives Matter protests and broader cultural expressions:

"If you look at images from these marches, you'll probably start to notice a common color scheme. Lots of red, black and green." [03:09]

Moira Makumau further illustrates how these colors permeate various forms of expression, from clothing to banners, highlighting their unifying power:

"He says that wherever there are protests or demonstrations against threats to black life, the red, black and green will be there." [03:57]

Origins of the Pan African Flag

The episode traces the flag's inception back to Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born labor organizer and journalist, who became a pivotal figure in Black nationalism and Pan Africanism. Moira Makumau explains Garvey's transformative experiences in London:

"Garvey realized that Africa could be the center of racial pride for all of black humanity." [10:00]

Colin Grant, a historian, emphasizes Garvey’s visionary approach to nation-building:

"The idea that you had to forge a nation of your own, that you couldn't trust the man to look after yourself." [11:14]

The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

Upon returning to the Caribbean in 1914, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) with the aim of uniting Black people globally. Marcus Garvey passionately articulated the mission:

"I greet you in the name of the Universal Nuclear Improvement Association, an organization that seeks to unite into one solid body the 400 million Negroes of the world for the purpose of bettering our industrial, commercial, educational, social and political conditions." [12:44]

Creation and Symbolism of the Pan African Flag

In 1918, Garvey introduced the Pan African flag, a tricolor design featuring horizontal stripes of red, black, and green. Moira Makumau breaks down the symbolism:

• Red: Represents the blood spilled in the fight to protect and defend Africa.
• Black: Symbolizes the people of the continent and the diaspora.
• Green: Stands for Africa itself, its lushness, and the motherland.

Garvey’s declaration during the UNIA convention in 1920 solidified these colors as the official representation of the Black race:

"The UNIA officially declared red, black and green the colors of the Negro race." [27:19]

The Black Star Line and Symbolism in Practice

One of Garvey's most ambitious projects was the Black Star Line, a fleet of steamships intended to facilitate trade and foster a sense of pride and autonomy among Black people. The launch of the Black Star Line became a monumental event:

"5,000 black folks showed up to watch the first Black Star Line ship leave its East Harlem port in 1919. According to at least one observer, the crowd was delirious with excitement." [24:24]

The ships prominently displayed the Pan African flag, serving as a mobile symbol of Garvey's vision for a unified and self-sufficient Black world.

Challenges and Opposition

Despite its initial success, Garvey's movement faced significant opposition. Moira Makumau details the scrutiny from both federal authorities and other Black leaders, particularly W.E.B. du Bois and the NAACP, who criticized Garvey’s methods and business practices:

"W.E.B. du Bois felt that full civil rights were the keys to black freedom in a country that was hostile to their survival and peace." [14:43]

Garvey's refusal to align with du Bois's strategies led to increased tension, culminating in legal troubles. He was eventually convicted of mail fraud and deported to Jamaica in 1927, causing the UNIA to decline sharply in the United States.

Enduring Legacy of the Pan African Flag

Despite Garvey's deportation and the eventual decline of the UNIA, the Pan African flag endured as a powerful symbol. Hakeem Adi, a professor of African and Black diaspora history, reflects on Garvey's lasting impact:

"Garvey is the standard bearer of success under duress, who was blessed to do far more with less." [26:15]

The flag continued to influence various movements and cultures:

• African Nations: Several countries incorporated the Pan African colors into their national flags during their decolonization processes.
• Black Power Movement: The 1960s and 70s saw the colors flourish within Black Power and Black consciousness movements.
• Hip Hop Culture: From the late 1980s onwards, red, black, and green became staples in hip hop fashion, symbolizing pride and unity.

Moira Makumau underscores the flag’s universal recognition and its role in fostering a sense of safety and belonging within the Black community:

"The decision to fly that flag, it feels like someone's telling me, you're in a place that's safe for black people." [32:02]

The Juneteenth Flag

Transitioning from the Pan African flag, the episode explores the Juneteenth flag, designed to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the United States. Moira Makumau describes its design and symbolism:

"The Juneteenth flag features a central white star referencing the Lone Star State where the last of the country's enslaved population finally learned of their freedom in 1865." [30:04]

While distinct from the Pan African colors, the Juneteenth flag embodies similar themes of freedom, heritage, and pride, reinforcing the broader narrative of Black resilience and identity.

Personal Reflections on Flag Symbolism

Moira Makumau shares a personal perspective on the differing symbolism of the American flag versus the Pan African flag:

"Standing under the Stars and Stripes is at best an uneasy and insecure thing because the flag stands for lots of things, including imperialism and white supremacy." [31:43]

In contrast, the Pan African flag represents a safe and unifying symbol for Black people:

"But the red, black and green has grown way beyond the UNIA. In the decades after Garvey's death, several African countries incorporated the Pan African colors into their own national flags as they gained independence." [30:31]

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Symbols

The episode concludes by affirming Marcus Garvey’s vision and the lasting power of the Pan African flag. Hakeem Adi praises Garvey’s legacy:

"They needed those symbols in order for the movement to grow. Without those flags, there would be no Marcus Garvey in our memory." [25:31]

Moira Makumau reflects on the flag's pervasive presence and its role in fostering a sense of community and safety:

"I think that was a big part of what Garvey wanted to say with the red, black, and green black folks. In a world that is constantly threatening, you come together under this flag and feel safe." [32:02]

Key Takeaways

• Symbolism Matters: Flags like the Pan African and Juneteenth flags serve as powerful symbols for unity, identity, and resistance.
• Marcus Garvey’s Vision: Garvey’s efforts in creating the UNIA and the Pan African flag laid foundational stones for Black nationalism and Pan Africanism.
• Enduring Legacy: Despite facing significant opposition, the symbols Garvey introduced continue to inspire and unify Black communities globally.
• Personal and Collective Identity: Flags provide both personal solace and collective identity, reinforcing feelings of safety and belonging within marginalized communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Marcus Garvey: "We are not going to be a race without a country. God never intended it, and we are not gonna abuse God's." [15:18]
• Moira Makumau: "If I see someone flying that flag outside of their home or in their business, I may have no idea what that person believes. We might not even like each other. But that flag, the decision to fly that flag, it feels like someone's telling me, you're in a place that's safe for black people." [31:43]
• Colin Grant: "Garvey recognized through reading that actually he could conjure an alternative to the reality in which he found himself. He could change the narrative." [11:14]

Closing Remarks

"The Red, the Black, and the Green" serves as a deep exploration of how design and symbols, specifically flags, play a crucial role in shaping and expressing collective identities and movements. Through the lens of Marcus Garvey’s legacy and the enduring presence of the Pan African flag, the episode underscores the profound impact that thoughtful design and symbolism can have on societal change and personal identity.