1881 – Birth of Hubert Harrison, “Father of Harlem Radicalism”

Born in St. Croix on May 10, 1881, Hubert Harrison became one of the most influential Black intellectuals of the early 20th century. Often called the “Father of Harlem Radicalism,” Harrison advocated for socialism, racial equality, and secularism. A fierce critic of Booker T. Washington and a predecessor to Marcus Garvey, he founded the Liberty League in 1917, calling for full civil rights, self-defense, and Black pride. Harrison edited several radical publications, including The Voice and The Negro World, and was a dynamic public speaker. His work emphasized class-consciousness while centering the unique oppression of Black people. Harrison’s ideas laid the intellectual foundation for later Harlem Renaissance thinkers and Black nationalist movements. Despite his brilliance and wide influence, he was marginalized in history due to his uncompromising stance against racial capitalism and colonialism. His birth on May 10 marks the emergence of one of the most radical Black voices in U.S. and Caribbean history.