A turbulent voyage readings in african american studies

Discussion Response

Discussion One

The history, cultural movements, literature, and artistic and political endeavors of African Americans is important for all persons and populations to understand, as the African population has taken a vital major part in shaping America to where it is today. Important historic moments such as slavery, the trading of goods between America and other countries, and the civil and human rights movement are all because of those from the African population. There are many resources that discuss the importance of knowing the past history, events and culture of African American culture.

Manning Marble defines African-American studies in her article, Black Studies, Multiculturalism and the Future of American Education, as “the systematic study of the black experience, cultural and geographical boundaries of sub-Saharan Africa and the black diaspora of North America, the Caribbean, Brazil and Latin America, and increasingly Europe itself” (Marable 24). Marable also discusses how African-American studies plays a major role in the different interpretations of multiculturalism. She explains how corporate multiculturalism “seeks to highlight the cultural and social diversity of America’s population, making managers and corporate executives more sensitive to differences such as race, gender, age, language, physical ability, and sexual orientation in the labor force (Marable 26). However, liberal multiculturalism is the opposite of corporate multiculturalism and its aim is to destroy the idea of race and to create cultural diversity. Afrocentrism, otherwise known as racial essentialism, better shows the admiration of the languages, art, music, ancient philosophies and cultural traditions of the African culture. Lastly, there are many educators, writers and artists that describe the minority groups of America. Marable describes it as, “They insist that African-American studies is not a discipline, like physics or psychology, but a broad intellectual dialogue and exchange which incorporated divergent perspectives and concerns” (Marable 29). These four main ideas of multiculturalism expand on the knowledge of people and is expressed in different environments in America.

Another resource used to note the importance of events in African American culture is the article,African History and Western Civilization by Boniface Obichere, which discusses the inadequacies of African history. One of the inadequacies includes the disbelief of the footnote theory and instead, as described by Obichere, think that “African history is a body of knowledge worth inquiring in its own right, and for its own sake” (Obichere 46). Another inadequacy perceived which still plays a role in present day African American culture is the unreal existence of African history based on the education, career, and lifestyle that some African Americans live. The article states, “…if black people pass through universities and go out and get jobs and buy a home in the hills, these black gentlemen are white in their thinking” (Obichere 47). This inadequacy especially is important to understand because there are many people in the white race that do not believe someone who is African American is truly based upon African history if they are very successful in the way that they live. However, this article is a great resource for noting the importance the false claims of African history for present day America and its people.

Another article titled, Preface to the Student by Floyd W. Hayes, expands on the issues of African American populations in America both from the past and present. It is important to know how America is living a culture of violence against African American populations. Hayes says, “Moreover, today’s increasing white racist hate crimes against, along with mounting police assaults on and murders of, black female and male citizens from New York to California, represent continuing patterns of violence similar to the lynching, anti-black race riots, and segregation of the early twentieth century” (Hayes 12). This article also mentions the importance of educating America on the history of African American culture in understanding the vital role it has played to shape the society that has been presented. Hayes marks an important note stating, “Additionally, the time is now for educational institutions to (re)develop curricula that recognize and respect the historical and contemporary contributions that people of color have made to America’s multicultural society” (Hayes 13).

In conclusion, it is important for not just the American population, but populations from all over the world to know how African Americans have and continue to shape America’s culture and society. Education on the culture, past and recent events, and false claims on African American populations are just some of the ways to express the significance of it. The African American population has a lot to offer on explaining the differences but significant impact of its culture to American society and populations.

Works Cited

Hayes, Floyd W. III. “Preface to the Student.” The Turbulent Voyage: Readings in African American Studies. 3rd Edition. Floyd W. Hayes, editor. San Diego, CA: Collegiate P, 2000. xi-xviii. Print.

Marable, Manning. “Black Studies, Multiculturalism, and the Future of American Education.” The Turbulent Voyage: Readings in African American Studies. 3rd Edition. Floyd W. Hayes, editor. San Diego, CA: Collegiate P, 2000. 24-33. Print.

Obichere, Boniface. “African History and Western Civilization.” The Turbulent Voyage: Readings in African American Studies. 3rd Edition. Floyd W. Hayes, editor. San Diego, CA: Collegiate P, 2000. 45-57. Print.

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