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The Importance of African-American Studies

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African-American Studies The aspect of African-American Studies is key to the lives of African-Americans and those involved with the welfare of the race. African-American Studies is the systematic and critical study of the multidimensional aspects of Black thought and practice in their current and historical unfolding (Karenga, 21). African-American Studies exposes students to the experiences of African-American people and others of African descent. It allows the promotion and sharing of the African-American culture. However, the concept of African-American Studies, like many other studies that focus on a specific group, gender, and/or creed, poses problems. Therefore, African-American Studies must overcome the obstacles in order to improve the state of being for African-Americans. According to the book, Introduction to Black Studies, by Maulana Karenga, various core principles make of the basis of African-American Studies. Some of the core principles consist of 1)history, 2)religion, 3)sociology, 4)politics, and 5)economics. The core principles serve as the thematic "glue" which holds the core subjects together. The principles assist with the expression of the African-American Studies discipline (Karenga, 27). The core principle of history is primary factor of African-American Studies. History is the struggle and record of humans in the process of humanizing the world i.e. shaping it in their own image and interests (Karenga, 70). By studying history in African-American Studies, history is allowed to be reconstructed. Reconstruction is vital, for over time, African-American history has been misleading. Similarly, the reconstruction of African-American history demands intervention not only in the academic process to rede... ... middle of paper ... ...oted in the birth of the discipline itself (Karenga, 476). The mission of the discipline, problematic administrators, and campus opposition are examples of obstacles that often attempt to prevent the missions of African-American Studies. However, African-American Studies has continued to defend its stance over time. Thus, as long as there is an African-American culture, the quest for knowledge in the African-American studies field will remain. Works Cited DeBose,Brian."Reclaiming the Mission". Nov.2002 . Franklin, John Hope. From Slavery to Freedom. Nashville, TN: McGraw-Hill, 2000. Giddings, Paula. When and Where I Enter . New York:Perrenial, 1984. Karenga, Malauna. Introduction to Black Studies. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press –Third Edition, 2002. http://encarta.msn.com http://www.rockthevote.com

In this essay, the author

  • Explains that african-americans and their descendants have been a part of the americas' history since the late 1400s.
  • Explains that the core concept of african-american religion has played a vital role in the african american life since its beginnings in africa.
  • Speculates that the decline in the bonding of the african-american community is linked to this.
  • Explains the core principle of african-american sociology, which integrates the various aspects and social reality from an african american perspective.
  • Explains that the institution of politics has played a role in the african-american community since the 15th amendment was passed.
  • Explains that economics is the study and process of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services. economically, african-americans have benefited from advances made during the civil rights era.
  • Concludes that the possibility of problems arising towards the discipline of african-american studies is rooted in the birth of it. the mission, problematic administrators, and campus opposition are examples of obstacles that often attempt to prevent the missions
  • Explains karenga, malauna. introduction to black studies. los angeles: university of sankore press.
  • Explains that african-american studies is the systematic and critical study of the multidimensional aspects of black thought and practice in their current and historical unfold.
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      • Analyzes cornell west's reading on the dilemma of the black intellectual, which is beyond and above the racist heritage according to west.
      • Analyzes the dilemma of the black intellectual. blacks begin their intellectual career with hopes of self worth and self confidence in alignment with certain values.
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      • Analyzes how minorities recognize the rewards of the legal profession, but intellectual property law remains under-represented. this is due to the technical qualifications a degree in science or engineering requires.
      • Describes the organizations that encourage minorities to break through the barriers by offering scholarships, mentoring programs, and seminars for those who intend to become intellectual scholars.
      • Opines that minorities should seek out and embrace opportunities in today's economy, and encourage them to consider the economic and cultural impact they can have on the diversity of global innovation.
      903 words
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    • African American Education Reflection
      opinion essay
      From this class, I hope to obtain a proper understanding of the experiences people of African descent face and understand why we, as African Americans, face these obstacles. I know that black culture and politics have a great impact on the world around us, which is why I want to further my understanding of black history and learn about things that I was not taught in

      In this essay, the author

      • Opines that they have a great drive to attend the seminars because many high school students are not able to take college level classes that will help further their education and feed their intellectual curiosity.
      • Opines that it is important for a student of color to learn about their culture.
      186 words
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    • Critical Analysis Of Race Matters By Dr. Cornel West
      analytical essay
      The above-mentioned essays are: Nihilism in Black America, The Pitfalls of Racial Reasoning, The Crisis of Black Leadership, Demystifying the Black Conservatism, Beyond Affirmative Action: Equality and Identity, On Black-Jewish Relations, Black Sexuality: T...

      In this essay, the author

      • Analyzes dr. cornel west's book, "race matters," which is comprised of eight separate essays focusing on racial issues relative to current events, the political climate, and market forces.
      • Analyzes how dr. west attributed the los angeles riot to economic decline, cultural decay, and political lethargy in american life.
      • Analyzes nihilism in black america, the pitfalls of racial reasoning, demystifying the black conservatism, beyond affirmative action: equality and identity, black sexuality: the taboo subject, malcolm x and black rage.
      • Explains that nihilism is a state of being in which many blacks find themselves caught in poverty, depravity, and increasing isolation.
      • Explains that dr. west said that discussions about this subject are divided into two camps. one focuses on blacks' movement from slavery, jim crowism, and other forms of discrimination.
      • Explains that the second camp emphasizes the behavioral problems that impact black upward mobility. they emphasize the waning of the protestant ethic in much of black america.
      • Explains that the first group calls for more programs to alleviate the problems of blacks, while the second group advocates self-help programs, black business expansion, and non-preferential job practices.
      • Agrees with dr. west's contention that this is a possible resolution, but it needs to be more clearly defined and explored by "new models of collective black leadership."
      • Analyzes how dr. west discusses the hearings of clarence thomas and anita hill and how racial reasoning played a key role in the outcome of this hearing.
      • Argues that black leadership should have used a "prophetic framework of moral reasoning" to support clarence thomas' appointment for the supreme court.
      • Agrees with clarence thomas' logic that blacks need to be concerned about their well-being rather than wholehearted support for blacks in power simply because they are black.
      • Analyzes dr. west's response to "the crisis of black leadership": the relative absence of humility led to a decline in effective black leadership.
      • Analyzes how dr. west grouped black leadership into three types: race effacing managerial leaders, race-identifying protest leaders and race transcending prophetic leaders.
      • Compares the nihilistic threat to black america and the crisis of black leadership. black intellectuals have suffered similar fetes under the advent of the middle class.
      • Agrees with dr. west that better black leadership is needed especially from my generation. "demystifying the new black conservatism" is the result of the crisis of liberalism in afro-america.
      • Agrees with dr. west that the crisis of black liberalism is caused by their failure to present a realistic response to changes in the economy.
      • Explains that affirmative action has had many drawbacks primarily caused by conservatives who oppose it. it gives disadvantaged groups an opportunity to compete for jobs, contracts, and certain loans on a more competitive basis.
      • Analyzes how dr. west explains how black-jewish relations have evolved after the majority of jews immigrated to america between 1881 to 1924. they were more likely to have compassion for blacks than recent immigrants due to their oppressive history.
      • Opines that both camps misunderstand each other's histories and fears about their past and futures. they both need to confront these issues forthrightly to move beyond their impasse and back to their former alliance.
      • Opines that a candid dialog about black sexuality between these two communities is requisite for healthy race relations in america.
      • Opines that dr. west depicted malcolm x as the prophet of black rage because of his love for black people.
      • Concludes that dr. west's book should serve as a reference on key racial issues for all parties dealing with race per se.
      1859 words
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    • Analysis Of The Film 'The House We Live In'
      analytical essay
      As I continued to watch the film, I began to reflect on the importance of the study of race for Africana Studies. Studying race is an opportunity to explore the historical and contemporary circumstances of race relation in the world today. Having students understand the intersecting roles of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and culture. Students can have a better cultural awareness, which helps shape their experience dealing with people of a culturally different background throughout the world.

      In this essay, the author

      • Explains that studying race is an opportunity to explore the historical and contemporary circumstances of race relation in the world today.
      • Analyzes the racism created by the american government in "the house we live in." they observe the pain and suffering of non-whites, like vaisho-das bagi, who fled british tyranny and took his own life.
      • Opines that blacks are being stopped, harassed, arrested, and killed at the hands of the police meant to protect them. their dream is for non-whites and whites to come together and enjoy this melting pot.
      262 words
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