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The Universal Ethiopian Students’ Association

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The Universal Ethiopian Students' Association, 1927–1948

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Abstract

Against the backdrop of the deportation of Marcus Garvey and the New Negro Movement, The Universal Ethiopian Students’ Association (UESA) emerged in Harlem in 1927. Formed by activist scholars from the United States, Caribbean, and Africa, the UESA sought to mobilize against Italian fascism in Ethiopia and imperialism across the Diaspora. This chapter will demonstrate the developments of the UESA and their efforts to mobilize in Harlem.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    SC Micro R-1571 r. 4: Box 11e. 81 Folder 3, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  2. 2.

    Facts as They Are, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; The African: The Journal of African Affairs 6, no. 2 (February–March 1948), 8.

  3. 3.

    The African: The Journal of African Affairs 6, no. 2 (February–March 1948), 8, 14.

  4. 4.

    Jerry Gershenhorn, “A Courageous Voice for Black Freedom: Louis Austin and The Carolina Times in Depression-Era North Carolina,” North Carolina Historical Review LXXXVII, no. 1 (January 2010), 61–62.

  5. 5.

    Amy Jacques Garvey correspondences, Fisk University, John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library, Special Collections, Marcus Garvey Collection.

  6. 6.

    Robert A. Hill, Marcus Garvey and UNIA Papers, 1xxvii.

  7. 7.

    Ellis Island-Free Port of New York Passenger Records Search, http://www.ellisisland.org/search/matchMore.asp?FNM=ARNOLD&LNM=HODGE&PLNM=HODGE&first_kind=1&kind=exact&offset=0&dwpdone=1, accessed July 29, 2013.

  8. 8.

    Meeting of the Ethiopian Students’ Assn. 1-29-38, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  9. 9.

    Aims and Objectives, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Ben F. Rogers, “William E. B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, and Pan-Africa,” The Journal of Negro History 40, no. 2 (April 1955), 158, 160.

  10. 10.

    The Oath, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  11. 11.

    Propaganda Committee, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  12. 12.

    Ibid.

  13. 13.

    Constitution of the League of Clubs, Box 39 Folder 39-6, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  14. 14.

    Constitution and Bylaws of the League of Literary Clubs, Box 39 Folder 39-6, Constitution of the League of Clubs, Box 39 Folder 39-6, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to UESC from Carlton Bertrand, Yoruba L&D Club, secretary, Box 39 Folder 39-4 Constitution of the League of Clubs, Box 39 Folder 39-6, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  15. 15.

    Facts as They Are, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Constitution of the League of Clubs, Box 39 Folder 39-6, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  16. 16.

    Ibid.

  17. 17.

    Facts as They Are, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; “Classified Ad 12” The New York Amsterdam News, November 18, 1931.

  18. 18.

    Letter to UESC from Arnold Hodge UESC vice-president, November 17, 1929, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to UESC from Albert S. Daniel UESC secretary, April 23, 1929, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  19. 19.

    Letter to J. L. Francis, UESA secretary from Mary Roberts, February 15, 1931, Box 39 John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  20. 20.

    Simon I Dixon, B.A. Speaks Before the Universal Students’ Club, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  21. 21.

    Letter to J. L. Francis, UESA secretary from Mary Roberts, February 15, 1931, Box 39, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  22. 22.

    Momentous Debate, March 27, 1931, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  23. 23.

    Letter to Tenement Department Board of Health from A. Balfour Linton July 2, 1931, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  24. 24.

    UESA Financial Report of the Secretary, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; James L. Francis was a native of Jamaica. Ellis Island- Free Port of New York Passenger Records Search.

  25. 25.

    Meeting minutes July 19, 1931, Box 39 folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to students from George Randolph, UESA secretary, September 26, 1932, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  26. 26.

    Report by George Randolph, UESA secretary, September 10, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Correspondences from UESA, July 15, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  27. 27.

    Report by George Randolph, UESA secretary, September 10, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to Marcus Garvey from Louis Austin , UESC Secretary, October 19, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  28. 28.

    Letter to UESA from Louis Austin , Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  29. 29.

    Letter to Miss G. James from Louis Austin , UESA Secretary of Committee of Information, July 15, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  30. 30.

    Letter to Mr. George Smith from Louis Austin , UESA Chairman of Committee of Information, July 15, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-2, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  31. 31.

    Letter to Fellow Students from James L. Brown, UESA President, December 4, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library. The Liberian Chiefs had already petitioned against foreign rule.

  32. 32.

    Ralph Crowder, Willis Nathaniel Huggins (1886–1941): Historian, Activist, and Community Mentor, http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Willis+Nathaniel+Huggins+(1886-1941):+historian,+activist,+and…-a0148463511, accessed February 12, 2010.

  33. 33.

    Ibid.

  34. 34.

    UESA Meeting Minutes June 5, 1932, Box 39 folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  35. 35.

    The UESA hosted African History classes from its inception in the rented apartment and then in the local YMCA. A. Balfour Linton was an early lecturer and instructor of the classes.

  36. 36.

    Letter to Professor W. Huggins from Committee of Information of UESC, June 12, 1932, Box 39 folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  37. 37.

    Special: An Evening Summer Course in African History, The UESA, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  38. 38.

    Letter to Attorney Thomas. B. Dyett from Jas. L. Brown, UESA president, April 29, 1935, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  39. 39.

    Report by George Randolph, Sec. UESA, September 10, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  40. 40.

    Letter to Students from Louis Austin , UESA president, September 25, 1935, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to Louis Austin from A. H. S. Vigo, December 4, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  41. 41.

    Letter to Professor Benjamin N. Azikiwe , Lincoln University, from George Randolph, UESC Secretary, April 15, 1931, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Letter to George Randolph, UESC secretary from Benjamin N. Azikiwe , Lincoln University, May 8, 1933, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  42. 42.

    Letter to whom it may concern, from James L. Brown UESA president and Hilda Hicks UESA Secretary, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library. This resolution letter was also reported in the Atlanta Daily World with emphasis on the term Negro. “Terms Are Set Forth By Body,” Atlanta Daily World, November 13, 1934, 7. It was reported in the New York Amsterdam News that the term Negro tended to frustrate African Nationalism and should be omitted. “Wants ‘Negro’ Abolished,” The New York Amsterdam News, September 22, 1934, 2. Later in December UESA president James L. Brown wrote to the New York Amsterdam Letter box to suggest that J. A. Rogers refrain from using the term Negro because it was detrimental to the readers. Brown quoted Emperor Haile Selassie, “It is not what others call us that count, it is what we call ourselves.” “Letter Box” New York Amsterdam News, December 1, 1934, 8.

  43. 43.

    “Mock Trial Planned on African Question,” The New York Amsterdam News, June 22, 1935, 24; Letter to Friend from Cirilo F. Lambert, Chairman Speaker’s Committee, UESA, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Africa vs. the Imperialist Powers a mock trial, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  44. 44.

    Africa vs. the Imperialist Powers a mock trial, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  45. 45.

    SC Micro R-1571 r. 4: Box 11e. 81 Folder 3, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  46. 46.

    Letter from Willis N. Huggins, Box 39 Folder 39-8, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  47. 47.

    The Truth About Ethiopia: A Nation Blacked From the Sea (New York: The Universal Ethiopian Students’ Ass’n, 1936), 4.

  48. 48.

    Letter to Dr. Malaku Beyan from Louis Austin , President of UESA, January 3, 1936, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  49. 49.

    Letter to Hon. Lij. Tasfaye Zaphiro from Louis Austin , President of UESA January 8, 1936, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  50. 50.

    Letter to Ladipo Solanke, WASU secretary general from Louis Austin UESA president, January 16, 1936, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  51. 51.

    UESA African Education Fund, Box 39, Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  52. 52.

    UESA, “The African Educational Fund of the Universal Ethiopian Students Assn,” The African 1, no. 4, March–April, 1938; UESA African Education Fund, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  53. 53.

    Letter to Samuel A. Haynes, head of the UNIA Central Division from Ridley Lewis UESA Chairman of the Propaganda Committee, June 4, 1936, Box 39 Folder 39-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  54. 54.

    Louis Austin , “Appeal for Funds,” The New York Age, August 1, 1936.

  55. 55.

    Press Report, Box 39 Folder 30-4, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  56. 56.

    Liberia program Itinerary, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library; Press report, JHC, Box 39 Folder 39-4.

  57. 57.

    Press report, UESA, JHC, Box 39 Folder 39-4.

  58. 58.

    Letter to Miss Hilda Hosten, UESA secretary from administration UESA, September 15, 1936, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  59. 59.

    “Ass’n Elects Officers,” The New York Amsterdam News, October 24, 1936, 4.

  60. 60.

    Letter to Friends from Louis Austin , President of UESA, Box 39 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  61. 61.

    Letter to UESA from Willis N. Huggins, Friends of Ethiopia, October 22, 1935, Box 30 Folder 39-3, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  62. 62.

    Executive Committee for National Ethiopian Week, Box 39 Folder 39-1, John Henrik Clarke Papers, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library.

  63. 63.

    Michael L. Krenn, Race and U.S. Foreign Policy from 1900 to World War II (New York: Garland Publishers, 1998), 141.

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  1. North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA

    TaKeia N. Anthony

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Anthony, T.N. (2019). The Universal Ethiopian Students’ Association. In: The Universal Ethiopian Students' Association, 1927–1948. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02490-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02490-1_2

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