The Handbook offers a comprehensive overview of African-American studies through three key divisions: historical and cultural foundations, philosophical and conceptual frameworks, and critical analytical concepts. It synthesizes essential research and scholarship, providing a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of black studies and its various dimensions.
Focusing on the everyday experiences of Africans, this comprehensive narrative spans from prehistory to modern times. It offers an authoritative account of the continent's history, highlighting significant events and cultural developments while ensuring that the voices and lives of ordinary people are central to the storytelling.
Renowned Critical Africana scholar and philosopher, Molefi Kete Asante demonstrates the multidimensionality of Afrocentricity as a paradigm of theoretical perspectives advancing the agency of African people. Examining orientations to culture, society, values, and communication, Asante's essays face South first, and then to the rest of the world.
The book delves into the multifaceted impact of the Obama era, analyzing how political, technological, social, economic, and religious factors intertwined during his campaign, election, and presidency. Mazama and Asante provide a comprehensive exploration of these dimensions, offering insights into the complexities of Obama's leadership and the broader implications for American society.
Focusing on communication's role in shaping a dehumanizing African American identity, this collection of essays delves into various cultural phenomena that highlight persistent racial issues. The author critiques media distortions, explores the identity crisis within the African American community, and addresses the rhetoric surrounding education and bureaucratic exploitation. He also discusses the conflict between reason and emotion, the adaptation of African voices in European literary forms, and the ongoing debates about justice and reparations.
The book examines systemic racism in America, particularly in the context of Barack Obama's election. It highlights the "wall of ignorance" that obscures the ongoing racial injustices faced by African Americans, contrasting their experiences with the perception of many whites who believe racism is largely a historical issue. The author details various forms of modern racism, such as discriminatory practices in law enforcement, housing, and healthcare, which contribute to a pervasive sense of frustration and resentment within the black community.
Debating the development of civilization in Egypt and Greece, this collection of essays explores European misconceptions of African history. Featuring contributions from some of the top scholars in African American studies, this book analyzes the inconsistencies erupting from academic and Eurocentric reports on ancient culture. It explores such questions as If the pyramids were built in 2800 B.C. and Greek civilization began around 700 B.C., how could the Greeks have contributed or taught Africans math and science? and If the Greeks built pyramids in Egypt, why did they not build a few in Greece?
The central topic of this cross-disciplinary work is the theory of “Afrocentricity,” which mandates that Africans be viewed as subjects rather than objects; and looks at how this philosophy, ethos, and world view gives Africans a better understanding of how to interpret issues affecting their communities. History, psychology, sociology, literature, economics, and education are explored, including discussions on Washingtonianism, Garveyism, Du Bois, Malcolm X, race and identity, Marxism, and breakthrough strategies.
Traditional Eurocentric thought assumes that Greece was the origin of civilization. This book dispels this and other myths by showing that there is a body of knowledge that preceded Greek philosophy. The author documents how the great pyramids were built in 2800 B.C., 2,100 years before Greek civilization. The popular myth of Hippocrates being the father of medicine is dispelled by the fact that Hippocrates studied the works of Imhotep, the true father of medicine, and mentioned his name in his Hippocratic oath. Eleven famous African scholars who preceded Greek philosophers are profiled: Ptahhotep, Kagemni, Duauf, Amenhotep, Amenemope, Imhotep, Amenemhat, Merikare, Sehotepibre, Khunanup, and Akhenaten. These scholars’ ideas on a variety of topics are discussed, including the emergence of science and reason, the moral order, books and education, and the clash of classes.
The book offers a critical analysis of Ama Mazama, a significant figure in Africology and African American Studies, exploring her intellectual evolution and impact on the field. It delves into the reasons behind her prominence as a leading Africologist, highlighting her contributions and the factors that have shaped her popularity in academic circles.