Methodologies VI: Methodology Manifesto

Africana studies has the singular history of being a field that is both personal and academic. It is a field where possibility and malleability reign supreme. For students whose vocational education purposely and systematically excluded the histories, literature, and art of Africana peoples, Africana studies could serve as a second education, a (hopefully) diasporic family history.  For students who have grown up in predominantly white spaces, Africana programs have the capacity to serve as a quest for a reimagined and realized black self. The field has transformative power as it is the reflection of self, the world, and it’s future. However it’s this mixture of the personal and academic that has proved to be both the field’s point of success and failure.

Like many of the scholars who pondered the future of Africana studies, I too feel that Africana studies, as I’ve experienced it, has focused excessively on deconstructing white supremacist and hegemonic thought and practice (Rabaka, Africana Critical Theory). For survey courses in the discipline this focus on deconstruction is not only important but also necessary.  However, the study should move past this stasis. As students plunge deeper into the field, the focus should also deepen. I suggest that courses include the radical thought that is explored in black feminism and womanism, modern articles/videos/and or movements (digital or otherwise), or rarely called upon texts that complicate or reformulate daily black life.

Furthermore Africana study both in survey and major courses need to incorporate an international narrative. Here I do not mean a simple additive course of action that tokenizes Afro-Latino, Afro-European, and African thought (Higginbotham, Designing an Inclusive Curriculum). I mean an infusing of various scholars from these regions at the inception of Africana education. Because Africana studies is the intersection of the personal and the political, American institutions often have ignored or bypassed other texts because they see them as irrelevant to their national narrative. We must not only be cognizant of this failing but also realize that our experiences are a part of a larger dialogue. If Africana studies wishes to continue being the transformative field it is, it must implement this change. This would inhibit our theories from being too Americentric and would encourage future endeavors to truly encapsulate the African diaspora. It would also even cover the aforementioned point of finding new/radical thinkers instead of regurgitation of ‘classic texts’.

And we can’t stop there. As Africana is an interdisciplinary field, its reach should even extend to quantitative data. Similar to Psychological Statistics, an Africana Studies and Statistics course would teach not only the formulation of numbers but also the ways in which statistics are manipulated in various studies in relation to Africana peoples. The class would effectively prepare students to use this quantitative practice in future research, and further integrate Africana studies in other quantitatively drive fields.

Ultimately I’m calling for a breath of new life into the field. An understanding of the passage of time and shortcomings that feeds the future of Africana studies. We need to incorporate black women, international radical thought, quantitative study, digital media, sex and sexuality, and the arts as all necessary and integral subjects to this field. I’m calling for the cessation of additive education in favor of whole-hearted inclusion. For we are not where we were when Africana Studies began. We should no longer centralize white theory and black male radicalism in our work. As we are expanding our community our study should too. We must move past deconstruction in order to build lasting education for our youth.

Word count: 589

Works Cited

Higginbotham, Elizabeth. “Designing an Inclusive Curriculum: Bringing All Women Into the Core,” Words of Fire. Print. The New Press: New York, NY. 1995.  480

Rabaka, Reiland. “Africana Critical Theory: Overcoming the Aversion to New Theory and New Praxis in Africana Studies and Critical Social Theory”.

 

Tags: ,

57,773 Responses to “Methodologies VI: Methodology Manifesto”

  1. playslots88 says:

    but be the first person to get a bonus on my website.

    http://109.123.231.51/

  2. Ide-ide yang sangat menarik untuk dipertimbangkan. cucian mobil jogja

  3. Informasi yang sangat bermanfaat, terima kasih. aqiqah bogor murah

  4. Saya suka bagaimana Anda mengorganisir artikel ini. detailing mobil artinya

  5. Informasi yang sangat diperlukan, terima kasih. menu aqiqah kotak

  6. Artikel yang sangat informatif dan mendalam. harga coating mobil

  7. aqiqah depok says:

    Saya setuju dengan banyak hal dalam artikel ini. aqiqah depok

  8. appconsultio says:

    Superb Post!

    Empowering Digital Dreams: We are an innovative app development company dedicated to turning ideas into immersive and functional mobile experiences. Hybrid application development With a passion for cutting-edge technology, we craft solutions that redefine user engagement and drive businesses forward.

  9. Terima kasih atas ilmu yang Anda bagikan. aqiqah bekasi utara

  10. aggiesafety says:

    While conducting a Google search for blogs, I stumbled upon your website and carefully delved into its content. I must say, your blog stands out with its exceptional writing and valuable insights. This inspired me to leave a comment and express my genuine appreciation for your outstanding work. Your blog is a rich source of valuable information, and on behalf of Aggie Safety, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your substantial contribution. If you’re interested in finding safety training courses safety training near me in your local area, you can explore essential offerings like first aid, CPR, workplace safety, fire safety, and more. These courses play a crucial role in ensuring that you and your community are well-prepared for emergencies, equipped with life-saving skills.

  11. Bilgi Blogu says:

    Güncel bloglar, zamanın ruhunu yansıtmak için önemli bir araçtır. Güncel olaylar, trendler ve haberler hakkında hızlı ve güncel bilgi sağlarlar. Haber, siyaset, eğlence ve pop kültürü gibi konularda güncel bloglar, okuyucularını her zaman bilgilendirir.
    Site: https://www.mupna.com/

  12. I am very happy to see your blog. Thank you for sharing this information. I read your article and it helped me a lot.

  13. Clock Design Co™ offers collection of exclusive, unique Wooden Wall Clocks hand crafted from a worldwide selection of specialist exotic hardwoods. Buy online! Visit here Wooden Wall Clocks

  14. Fascinating piece, can I share this on my blog?

  15. advcard says:

    After thoroughly examining the blog, we found it to be genuinely fascinating. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the author for their valuable contribution, representing the perspective of Advanced Cardiology. A cardiologist in close proximity is a specialized medical professional dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related Cardiologist near me conditions. They possess expertise in managing a wide range of cardiovascular issues, including heart disease, hypertension, and heart rhythm disorders.

  16. admin says:

    This is my first time i visit here. I found such a substantial number of interesting stuff in your blog especially its examination. Really its inconceivable article. Keep it up. Star Plus Plumbing

  17. Once you have selected an escort, you should make sure that you have all the necessary information about them. This includes their contact details, their rates and the services they offer. You should also make sure that you have their pictures.

  18. Diş sorunlarınız mı var? Dişiniz mi ağrıyor? İmplant mı yaptırmak istiyorsunuz? Halkalı diş hastanesi uzman kadrosu ve teknolojik imkanları ile tam size göre.

  19. The same amount of collagen peptide also contains 29 milligrams of calcium, 44.9 milligrams of sodium, and 0.98 milligrams of potassium. Collagen powder

  20. Excellent blog! Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good work.

  21. slot777 says:

    Exceptional dispatch! Your industry is usually using apt to around who particulars, is usually neighborly typically the close friend. At the same time terrific blog article involved with lots of the high-priced particulars families enjoy. Pre-book in your reliable rehearse your are working article.

  22. The hussar jacket is truly a timeless and iconic piece of military-inspired fashion. Its elaborate detailing, ornate braiding, and distinctive design have made it a symbol of both historical grandeur and contemporary style. Scottish Kilt

  23. Are you looking for a tiffin service near me? Maas Best provides high-quality tiffin service at affordable prices to its customers. Maas Best is one of the best tiffin service providers that provide tiffin service near me, Indian tiffin service, and tiffin food delivery in the United Kingdom. You can now order food online, all your favorite dishes, and many more delicious options.

  24. If you’re looking for a Tiffin service Maidenhead in the UK, then you’ve come to the right place. Tiffin services are located all across the UK. Many serve items inside the home of the customer. However, if you’re in need of Indian food, you’ve come to the right place. These tiffin services deliver fresh Indian meals to the office or home.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.