As a future educator, I am inclined to follow the Afrocentric theoretical paradigm that is put forth by the likes of Dr. Molefi Asante which promotes the idea of connectivity across the black diaspora that has persisted through time, movement, oppression, technologies, and evolving expressions of self and community. As an educator (student teacher at the moment), I want to engage with students about continental Africa and the diaspora both in past terms (i.e. great Egyptian civilizations, Moor influences in Spain, the Asante of Ghana, L'Ouverture and Haiti, and the list goes on), but then also of the present and the future (i.e. the technological advances of Ghana and Nigeria, the fact that 7 of the 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa, the existence [and problem] of South African exceptionalism, the shaping of Tanzanian socialism and its global impact, etc.....). While I want to promote a worldmindliness that is connected to Africa, I imagine being confronted with questions such as, why does this matter? Is this a stretch? Why study Africa and its global exchanges beyond West Africa, if African Americans are said to be primarily descended from this region? Why study societies outside of West Africa? Why even consider Africa- or the Caribbean- or the black diaspora, when exploring African American histories and experiences?
I would like to promote this idea of black transnationalism and interconnectivity and while I can passionately argue for it, I am unsure of how I can situate African American histories in lesson plans, for example. How can I, as an educator, facilitate them recognizing that African American histories and experiences are not domestically isolated, but are and have always been in exchange with the world, whether it be the diaspora or outside? Thoughts?
A lot going on here. My last post was deleted so I will be briefer.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of global Africans is not simply an imagined connection. It has gained a lot of currency, especially in African American communities. It has helped form the ideological basis for social justice movements, cultural movements and even religious movements.
One place where I think you can explore a bit more is the connection between Africans and African Americans in the post war period through the 1970s. Basically my dad's generation. From what I gather there was a lot of political mobilization already and the links to what was happening in Africa were being further articulated, partially by new African immigrants.
But even before that there were connections between black Americans and African freedom movements. Did you know that black Americans volunteered to fight against Italian occupation in Ethiopia before WW2? There are other connections elsewhere. Historian Gerald Horne wrote a recent work called 'Mau Mau in Harlem' where he explores the links between the Kenyan Mau Mau revolt and America, and specifically black America. Fascinating stuff - I haven't read it but heard him speak on the book. I wonder what sort of links are yet to be drawn between African decolonisation and African American freedom movements.
That is to say that African-African American connectivity goes even deeper than back to Africa movements and the settler communities in Africa. (Though they are there. When you come to ET we can visit Shashamene where there are a lot of Jamaicans doing their thing).
You bring some questions though. Like many, I do wonder about the connections between black Americans and Africa beyond the West Coast (the strip between Guinea and Angola where most black Americans derive their ancestry). I think the rationale different for different places. I would wager the fixation on Kenya may have began as black Americans observed the white settler-black indigenous struggle and the connections they drew to their own American experience. In Ethiopia, the connection was likely made because the country was a longstanding symbol for African freedom and civilization in the Western imaginary (Think 'blameless Ethiopians,' Battle of Adwa etc.)
There are also some more connections to be made if you look more closely at Harlem (arguably the historical center of black intellectual life). And of course there are the purely cultural links that created connections of their own, or facilitated greater dialogue between groups. Jazz music is likely the main one. (And since then, hip hop and global capitalism and all that stuff you are an expert on.)
Just some thoughts. Good luck with the class Orpheus.
LAVASPLASH, THIS IS EXCELLENT. I have a lot of ideas for potential lesson plans and future endeavors, simply after reading your comments. Thanks brother.
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