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: ,

59,687 Responses to “Methodologies VI: Methodology Manifesto”

  1. Sangat informatif, saya akan bookmark halaman ini. biaya salon mobil terdekat

  2. Penjelasannya sangat mudah dipahami, terima kasih. penerjemah tersumpah terdekat

  3. Artikel yang sangat bagus, terima kasih atas informasinya. biaya detailing mobil

  4. “I’ve learned so much from your articles and resources. You have a unique way of making complex topics easy to understand.”

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US

    Digital Marketing Course In Hyderabad

  5. Terima kasih atas wawasannya, saya akan mencoba tips ini. Kursus Toefl Online Bersertifikat

  6. Terima kasih telah berbagi pengetahuan ini dengan kami. Kursus Toefl Online Bersertifikat

  7. Used Lasers says:

    Explore our wide range of used lasers and accessories for aesthetics, surgical, ophthalmology, and veterinary needs. We offer a variety of high-quality cosmetic and aesthetic laser machines from top brands such as Alma, Candela, Cutera, Palomar, Vivace, and Cynosure. Get the best value for your business with our innovative laser technology selection. Visit us now for more information.

  8. At Auto Bazaar Plus, we are passionate about making your car buying and selling experience easy, convenient, and transparent. We use cutting-edge technology and data analytics to provide you with accurate and unbiased information about every vehicle on our platform. We also offer various value-added services such as insurance, financing, warranty, and roadside assistance to make your ownership journey smooth and enjoyable.

  9. Saya suka cara Anda merangkai ide-ide ini. jok mobil jogja

  10. Get homework help in any academic field. We assist wide range of students in writing unique custom essays, dissertations, book reviews, and research papers and provide timely delivery. Our homework help website has been providing writing and tutoring services for years and we understand the needs of each student. We also provide sample papers for all your academic writing assignment needs. Our resources will help you improve your grade. Click the below button to get started.

  11. Saya akan merekomendasikan ini kepada teman-teman saya. penerjemah tersumpah terdekat

  12. kajal says:

    Then contact us right away with premiums. Come to book our top-rated escorts in Dehradun and select the best models.
    http://tanubhatia.com/

  13. Terima kasih atas pandangan yang menarik. harga cuci mobil

  14. 카지노추천

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies VI: Methodology Manifesto

  15. Earn real money without investment 2021 new dimension of making money from online gambling games Play free fish shooting games.

  16. juiCERMOZ says:

    Education foot leader. Read attorney still event. Lawyer last read theory meet agree. Cold from forget product knowledge need.

  17. Slot Pragmatic Play telah menjadi kekuatan yang harus diperhitungkan, menarik banyak pemain setia yang tidak puas dengan permainan mereka. Slot Pragmatic Play ini adalah pengembang game populer di industri kasino online, terkenal dengan permainan slotnya yang inovatif dan menarik.Game mereka sangat dicari oleh para pemain karena grafisnya yang luar biasa, efek suara yang menawan, dan pengalaman bermain yang mulus.

  18. lailahamdani says:

    I actually like reading all of the blog posts on your website, sir. In general, this essay is pleasant and informational. Everything has a purpose and exists for a reason. Your article is really good.

  19. Hi everybody, here every onee is sharing such know-how, thus it’s good tto read this website, and I used tto go tto see this blog
    daily.

  20. Rohit saini says:

    In a world flooded with digital distractions, word puzzles have resurfaced as a source of both entertainment and intellectual stimulation. One particular word puzzle that has taken the internet by storm is the “NYT Wordle.” In this article, we’ll dive into the phenomenon that is NYT Wordle, explore its appeal, and unravel the secrets behind its addictive nature.

    The Rise of NYT Wordle
    NYT Wordle, short for New York Times Wordle, is an online word puzzle game that has gained immense popularity in recent times. It was first introduced by Jonathan Feinberg in 2008, but it experienced a resurgence in 2021, becoming a household name among word puzzle enthusiasts.
    nyt wordle

  21. Samalkha Call Girls Service has beautiful call girls: Sheetal Arora
    When our team view that individuals from Samalkha likewise want Shemale for Sexual activity at that point our team start hiring Call Girls in Samalkha. Therefore if you have a desire for Shemale for Sex Call girls Phone Number which you require is our Surat call girls service agency number. Our company give you great for playful instants. Therefore right now you obtain info where you obtain a Phone Number of Shemale Call Girls in Samalkha. Right now you may easily appreciate a great time with Samalkha Call Girls.
    Visit our website for more information:-
    https://www.sheetalarora.com/haryana/samalkha-escorts-service-call-girls.html

  22. Saya akan membagikan ini kepada teman-teman saya. biaya cuci mobil

  23. Artikel yang luar biasa, terima kasih atas informasinya. Kursus Toefl Online Bersertifikat

  24. Artikel yang sangat informatif, terima kasih. cuci interior mobil

  25. Methodologies VI: Methodology Manifesto… thanks,,,,

    Modifikasi Container Office

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.