Colors of Africa

History of the Red, Black and Green Black Liberation Flag

The Pan-African flag or Black Liberation Flag is a tricolor flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands colored red, black and green. Marcus Garvey, in response to the 1900 coon song, created the Pan-African flag in 1920.

The three colors on the Black Liberation flag represent red for the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry and shed for liberation, black for the people of Black African ancestry and green for the abundant natural wealth of Africa.

Marcus Garvey, a founding member and former president of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA) created the Pan-African flag in 1920 in response to the 1900 song "Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon." The song was written by Will A. Heelan and J. Fred Helf was very popular in the United States and Britain.

Song chorus for Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon

For Ireland has her Harp and Shamrock

England floats her Lion bold

Even China waves a Dragon

Germany an Eagle gold

Bonny Scotland loves a Thistle

Turkey has her Crescent Moon

And what won’t Yankees do for their Red, White and Blue

Every race has a flag but the coon

Marcus Garvey response to the coon song

A 1921 report appearing in the Africa Times and Orient Review, Marcus Garvey stated on the importance of the flag “Show me the race or the nation without a flag, and I will show you a race of people without any pride. Aye! In song and mimicry, they have said, "Every race has a flag but the coon." How true! Aye! But that was said of us years ago. They can't say it now!" The three colors on the Pan-African flag represent red for the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry and shed for liberation, black for the people of Black African ancestry and green for the abundant natural wealth of Africa.