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Monday, February 13, 2012
Teaching Our History
by Tinisia Branch
I really had a hard time starting this reflection paper and I finally figured out why. The lectures and the reading assignments were really interesting because, I am always eager to learn more about the history of my people. However, I never would’ve placed the creation of AAAS in the history section. Once I completed Module One my views changed. AAAS is definitely worthy of being placed in history books. Then I figured out the problem. I was being very narrow-minded.
My opinion was if everyone in the African-American community taught the children their heritage there wouldn’t be a need for AAAS departments across the country. After all, it was my mom, dad, and grandmother who taught me about my heritage. Isn’t that what our parents and grandparents were supposed to be teaching? When I learned that some people were not taught about their heritage I became upset. Then it hit me in the face like a dodge ball.
Recently, I have been doing a little research on the Jewish-American community. Had it not been for the resources on the internet and the people at my daughter’s school, I would have nothing. This is what AAAS is to those who are not African-American. African-American Studies is not the only academia needed. As stated in the lecture and in the readings, studies of all cultures are needed such as Native-American, Chinese-American, and Jewish-American Studies, to name a few. I then came to the conclusion that it would be selfish not to share our history with others. It would be just as selfish for others not to share their history with us. We are all intertwined in this thing we call life. The 100 degrees of separation thing is really true. In order for us to understand each other we have to learn about each other. However, this doesn’t mean we should forget who we are and where we come from as individuals.
This is what AAAS does for us as a culture. AAAS teaches those who haven’t been taught where they come from. AAAS teaches us what the history books in high, middle, and elementary school didn’t teach. It teaches us that we existed before slavery, it teaches us the accomplishments of great African-Americans other than Dr. King or Harriet Tubman, and it teaches us that great African-Americans are still teaching, inventing, writing, helping, and speaking today. AAAS covers it all from the very beginning to the present and it is magnificent. I have learned so much these last two semesters at the University of Memphis. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for what my family taught me, but there is so much more to learn. The most important thing I have learned is that AAAS isn’t limited to the City of Memphis, the State of Tennessee or the United States of America. AAAS is global.
I realized AAAS was global when I signed up for the AAAS Listserve. It’s not only those of African descent in the United States who want to be involved in African-American studies. There are people all over the world who want to be involved and it is so amazing. I can assure you my attitude and views have changed drastically over the past two weeks. This is only Module One of this class and I am so excited. I can’t wait to move on to the next Module.
I really had a hard time starting this reflection paper and I finally figured out why. The lectures and the reading assignments were really interesting because, I am always eager to learn more about the history of my people. However, I never would’ve placed the creation of AAAS in the history section. Once I completed Module One my views changed. AAAS is definitely worthy of being placed in history books. Then I figured out the problem. I was being very narrow-minded.
My opinion was if everyone in the African-American community taught the children their heritage there wouldn’t be a need for AAAS departments across the country. After all, it was my mom, dad, and grandmother who taught me about my heritage. Isn’t that what our parents and grandparents were supposed to be teaching? When I learned that some people were not taught about their heritage I became upset. Then it hit me in the face like a dodge ball.
Recently, I have been doing a little research on the Jewish-American community. Had it not been for the resources on the internet and the people at my daughter’s school, I would have nothing. This is what AAAS is to those who are not African-American. African-American Studies is not the only academia needed. As stated in the lecture and in the readings, studies of all cultures are needed such as Native-American, Chinese-American, and Jewish-American Studies, to name a few. I then came to the conclusion that it would be selfish not to share our history with others. It would be just as selfish for others not to share their history with us. We are all intertwined in this thing we call life. The 100 degrees of separation thing is really true. In order for us to understand each other we have to learn about each other. However, this doesn’t mean we should forget who we are and where we come from as individuals.
This is what AAAS does for us as a culture. AAAS teaches those who haven’t been taught where they come from. AAAS teaches us what the history books in high, middle, and elementary school didn’t teach. It teaches us that we existed before slavery, it teaches us the accomplishments of great African-Americans other than Dr. King or Harriet Tubman, and it teaches us that great African-Americans are still teaching, inventing, writing, helping, and speaking today. AAAS covers it all from the very beginning to the present and it is magnificent. I have learned so much these last two semesters at the University of Memphis. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for what my family taught me, but there is so much more to learn. The most important thing I have learned is that AAAS isn’t limited to the City of Memphis, the State of Tennessee or the United States of America. AAAS is global.
I realized AAAS was global when I signed up for the AAAS Listserve. It’s not only those of African descent in the United States who want to be involved in African-American studies. There are people all over the world who want to be involved and it is so amazing. I can assure you my attitude and views have changed drastically over the past two weeks. This is only Module One of this class and I am so excited. I can’t wait to move on to the next Module.
The Dilemma of Naming and Renaming
by Mary Green
What initially struck my interest while reading Rooks’ White Money-Black Power was the process of “naming” and “renaming,” or what she refers to as “the shift in nomenclature” regarding Black Studies (127). “By the 1990s,” she writes, “Black Studies became something now known as African American Studies” (125). It’s interesting to parallel the historical changes in the ways in which people of African descent in America have been identified [Colored, Negro, Black, Afro-American, African-American, and African American (no hyphenation)] with the subsequent renaming of Black Studies. How we name and identify others, and, more importantly, how we name and identify ourselves are ever changing to reflect the social and political atmosphere of society. Pondering on such, I recall a brilliant line in Morrison’s Beloved: “Clever, but schoolteacher beat him anyway to show him that definitions belonged to the definers—not the defined” (190). Thus, who are the “definers” (or “namers”) in this particular context? The universities? The Black Studies/AAAS department and its faculty? The students? Public opinion?
Rooks notes this “nomenclature shift” began in the 1980s. As faculty and students found African American Studies, African American and African World Studies, African Diaspora Studies, and/or Africana Studies acceptable names over Black Studies, Rooks emphasizes the political implications and strategic viewpoint(s) of each name (151). Acknowledging the [hostile] racial-political environment during the 1980s, it is neither surprising nor shocking that universities would attempt to reflect the political atmosphere in America—an atmosphere hostile with Reagan’s racially-coded political rhetoric and detrimental policies.
Furthermore, Rooks discusses how the name African American Studies “[speaks] most specifically to an institutionally acceptable political project (emphasis my own) divorced from and often openly contemptuous of Black Power ideologies” (152). However, for me, this is problematic as I am uncomfortable with this seemingly political attempt to deemphasize the significance of “B/blackness” and the role it plays in Black Studies (or, AAAS, Africana Diaspora Studies, etc.). What is so “exclusive” about a name that implies an intimate exploration of Blackness? According to Nathan Hare’s concept of an authentic Black Studies and/or AAAS, “Blackness or Black consciousness is necessary” (Anderson and Stewart 35). If one agrees with Hare’s claim, renaming as a means of distancing the department from Blackness and/or Black Power is troubling. Now, living in the so-called “Post-Obama”/”Post-Racial” era, I can only believe that AAAS will soon undergo a new name change—perhaps “Race Studies.” Interestingly, no other field of study (that I can quickly recall) has undergone such swift and rapid naming and renaming and that alone reveals the uniqueness of this field as well as the complicated nature of race in America. We are constantly defining-refining what it means to be “black” or “white” and naming-renaming ourselves to fit within or accommodate that particular definition, hence it is no surprise that Black Studies or AAAS would reflect that pattern.
Works Cited
Anderson , Talmadge, and James Stewart. Introduction to African American Studies: Transdisciplinary Approaches and Implications. Baltimore, MD: Inprint Editions, 2007.
Rooks, Noliwe M. White Money/Black Power. Boston: Beacon Press, 2006.
What initially struck my interest while reading Rooks’ White Money-Black Power was the process of “naming” and “renaming,” or what she refers to as “the shift in nomenclature” regarding Black Studies (127). “By the 1990s,” she writes, “Black Studies became something now known as African American Studies” (125). It’s interesting to parallel the historical changes in the ways in which people of African descent in America have been identified [Colored, Negro, Black, Afro-American, African-American, and African American (no hyphenation)] with the subsequent renaming of Black Studies. How we name and identify others, and, more importantly, how we name and identify ourselves are ever changing to reflect the social and political atmosphere of society. Pondering on such, I recall a brilliant line in Morrison’s Beloved: “Clever, but schoolteacher beat him anyway to show him that definitions belonged to the definers—not the defined” (190). Thus, who are the “definers” (or “namers”) in this particular context? The universities? The Black Studies/AAAS department and its faculty? The students? Public opinion?
Rooks notes this “nomenclature shift” began in the 1980s. As faculty and students found African American Studies, African American and African World Studies, African Diaspora Studies, and/or Africana Studies acceptable names over Black Studies, Rooks emphasizes the political implications and strategic viewpoint(s) of each name (151). Acknowledging the [hostile] racial-political environment during the 1980s, it is neither surprising nor shocking that universities would attempt to reflect the political atmosphere in America—an atmosphere hostile with Reagan’s racially-coded political rhetoric and detrimental policies.
Furthermore, Rooks discusses how the name African American Studies “[speaks] most specifically to an institutionally acceptable political project (emphasis my own) divorced from and often openly contemptuous of Black Power ideologies” (152). However, for me, this is problematic as I am uncomfortable with this seemingly political attempt to deemphasize the significance of “B/blackness” and the role it plays in Black Studies (or, AAAS, Africana Diaspora Studies, etc.). What is so “exclusive” about a name that implies an intimate exploration of Blackness? According to Nathan Hare’s concept of an authentic Black Studies and/or AAAS, “Blackness or Black consciousness is necessary” (Anderson and Stewart 35). If one agrees with Hare’s claim, renaming as a means of distancing the department from Blackness and/or Black Power is troubling. Now, living in the so-called “Post-Obama”/”Post-Racial” era, I can only believe that AAAS will soon undergo a new name change—perhaps “Race Studies.” Interestingly, no other field of study (that I can quickly recall) has undergone such swift and rapid naming and renaming and that alone reveals the uniqueness of this field as well as the complicated nature of race in America. We are constantly defining-refining what it means to be “black” or “white” and naming-renaming ourselves to fit within or accommodate that particular definition, hence it is no surprise that Black Studies or AAAS would reflect that pattern.
Works Cited
Anderson , Talmadge, and James Stewart. Introduction to African American Studies: Transdisciplinary Approaches and Implications. Baltimore, MD: Inprint Editions, 2007.
Rooks, Noliwe M. White Money/Black Power. Boston: Beacon Press, 2006.
Learning More about My Culture
by Angela Gaston
I find myself, becoming more and more appreciative to African American Studies. I always wondered how my life would significantly change becoming more in tune with wanting to learn more about more culture. African American Studies are constantly increasing my knowledge. I find that the reason that I have chosen to take this class was I didn’t really know the profound basic things that one take for granted. I have found myself getting older and really didn’t appreciate my culture like I should have.
One reason that I felt that I took my culture for granted is because growing up in a large family, I really didn’t reach out to read more. My mother made it her business to take all of her nine children to the library. However, when we went to the library, I never really wanted to read the books on my culture. I would look at the things that my grandparents fought for as it really didn’t matter.
The second reason that I found myself wanting to learn more about our culture is because, I don’t want my children to make the same mistakes that I made. I talk about the things that Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for. I also try to educate my children about the intelligence that our race has. I always make my youth group come up a person of our culture that inspires them or one that they have grown to admire. However, I want to be a good mentor in relating the message of education as well as community services to our generation to come and the ones that are here on this earth now.
The third reason that I want to learn more about my culture is African Americans are so talented. God has given them so many talents. It never seizes to amaze me, when I see another one of my sisters or brothers that come out with the gifts that God gives them. I find that to be an outstanding accomplishment. There are so many of us that have the gifts, but do not know what to do to bring it out. However, if we can receive the motivation and the endurance that a lot of our people did. I noticed that the more that I educate myself about my culture, the more that I am learning to appreciate the things that they have fought so hard for us to have.
The fourth reason, after reading over the material in our book along with Dr. Johnson’s lecture with the different definitions as to why it so important to know our culture. It’s not just about learning our culture, but the reason why the validity of African American Studies. African American culture has so much to offer. It is an inspiring culture to reach out to the black community as a whole. It wants to continue to educate our culture. A lot of us do not have excuses not to get an education. My father was not able to receive the education that he wanted. However, he made sure and he declared that his children would go to school and to college to make something out of their lives.
In conclusion, I am older, but I don’t think that we ever get to old to learn anything. I just hate that I took learning and really applying myself when I was younger for granted. I am learning everyday not to take anything for granted. Learning, African American Studies is such a blessing to me. It’s really something to me because this took place when I was born. That’s why; I wanted to gain as much knowledge that I can about African American Studies
I find myself, becoming more and more appreciative to African American Studies. I always wondered how my life would significantly change becoming more in tune with wanting to learn more about more culture. African American Studies are constantly increasing my knowledge. I find that the reason that I have chosen to take this class was I didn’t really know the profound basic things that one take for granted. I have found myself getting older and really didn’t appreciate my culture like I should have.
One reason that I felt that I took my culture for granted is because growing up in a large family, I really didn’t reach out to read more. My mother made it her business to take all of her nine children to the library. However, when we went to the library, I never really wanted to read the books on my culture. I would look at the things that my grandparents fought for as it really didn’t matter.
The second reason that I found myself wanting to learn more about our culture is because, I don’t want my children to make the same mistakes that I made. I talk about the things that Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for. I also try to educate my children about the intelligence that our race has. I always make my youth group come up a person of our culture that inspires them or one that they have grown to admire. However, I want to be a good mentor in relating the message of education as well as community services to our generation to come and the ones that are here on this earth now.
The third reason that I want to learn more about my culture is African Americans are so talented. God has given them so many talents. It never seizes to amaze me, when I see another one of my sisters or brothers that come out with the gifts that God gives them. I find that to be an outstanding accomplishment. There are so many of us that have the gifts, but do not know what to do to bring it out. However, if we can receive the motivation and the endurance that a lot of our people did. I noticed that the more that I educate myself about my culture, the more that I am learning to appreciate the things that they have fought so hard for us to have.
The fourth reason, after reading over the material in our book along with Dr. Johnson’s lecture with the different definitions as to why it so important to know our culture. It’s not just about learning our culture, but the reason why the validity of African American Studies. African American culture has so much to offer. It is an inspiring culture to reach out to the black community as a whole. It wants to continue to educate our culture. A lot of us do not have excuses not to get an education. My father was not able to receive the education that he wanted. However, he made sure and he declared that his children would go to school and to college to make something out of their lives.
In conclusion, I am older, but I don’t think that we ever get to old to learn anything. I just hate that I took learning and really applying myself when I was younger for granted. I am learning everyday not to take anything for granted. Learning, African American Studies is such a blessing to me. It’s really something to me because this took place when I was born. That’s why; I wanted to gain as much knowledge that I can about African American Studies
AAAS and Its Misconceptions
by Azizah Young
The part of the lesson that I would like to reflect on would be the misconceptions of African American Studies and in some ways African American History. I am a person that loves to learn about Black History, present, as well as future. It makes me proud to know how far African Americans have come, and how far we have to go. Introduction to African American Studies states that, “The study does not begin with their enslavement in America but with their heritage and ancestral roots in Africa.” (pg 4) I liked that sentence because I for one believe that the history of African Americans did not start with slavery. It is good to learn that and teach generations to come, Black or otherwise that there was more to black people than being whipped, and made to feel like they were nothing. “For African Americans, Black Studies are as essential to their normative and psychological well being as White studies are to White Americans or Europeans.” (pg. 8) With “white studies” being implemented from the time we enter school, and Black history only playing a role one month a year, learning as much about the history, heritage, and strength of my people is something that is a personal life goal of mine. It is also my goal to be able to pass my knowledge on to others of all races and cultures
Not only do I think it’s essential for African Americans to learn of their history, it is also important for white people to learn of Black History. The generic information that has seemed be passed around over the years needs to change, not that the information being shown and talked about isn’t powerful, but what about the information not being shown, and not being talked about. To make the struggles of African Americans seem tolerable, some events of the past have been sugar coated. Unless we visit museums or seek information on the internet, stories of the horrendous treatment of Blacks during slavery barely scratch the surface of the truth. How could one people treat another people so cruelly? Understanding that Blacks were brought here as slaves because they could do the labor that needed to be done, how could such terrible things be done to men, women and children because their skin color was different? What kind of terrible indoctrination had to go on in order to look at another human and see them only as animals? For instance, I honestly don’t believe that compassionate slave masters existed. I do, on the other hand, believe that white people marched with blacks during the Civil Rights Movement.
In conclusion, “Historically, much of the implicit racist social and government policies affecting the quality of life of African Americans and Africans have been based on theoretical constructs used by White Americans and Europeans that are inconsistent with the social and cultural realities of Black people or the Black Community.” (pg. 38) I consider this to be true, because white people have always has the upper hand, and with black people being brought to America to work, whatever the white had to say was “gospel” compared to the word of a black person. That’s why I think it is important for we as black people to go out and get our own understanding and accounts of what our history was like, and not just going on the word of everyone else. At my age I am finding out more and more about history that was never taught or presented to me, and it only makes me hungry for the knowledge of other facts that I didn’t know.
The part of the lesson that I would like to reflect on would be the misconceptions of African American Studies and in some ways African American History. I am a person that loves to learn about Black History, present, as well as future. It makes me proud to know how far African Americans have come, and how far we have to go. Introduction to African American Studies states that, “The study does not begin with their enslavement in America but with their heritage and ancestral roots in Africa.” (pg 4) I liked that sentence because I for one believe that the history of African Americans did not start with slavery. It is good to learn that and teach generations to come, Black or otherwise that there was more to black people than being whipped, and made to feel like they were nothing. “For African Americans, Black Studies are as essential to their normative and psychological well being as White studies are to White Americans or Europeans.” (pg. 8) With “white studies” being implemented from the time we enter school, and Black history only playing a role one month a year, learning as much about the history, heritage, and strength of my people is something that is a personal life goal of mine. It is also my goal to be able to pass my knowledge on to others of all races and cultures
Not only do I think it’s essential for African Americans to learn of their history, it is also important for white people to learn of Black History. The generic information that has seemed be passed around over the years needs to change, not that the information being shown and talked about isn’t powerful, but what about the information not being shown, and not being talked about. To make the struggles of African Americans seem tolerable, some events of the past have been sugar coated. Unless we visit museums or seek information on the internet, stories of the horrendous treatment of Blacks during slavery barely scratch the surface of the truth. How could one people treat another people so cruelly? Understanding that Blacks were brought here as slaves because they could do the labor that needed to be done, how could such terrible things be done to men, women and children because their skin color was different? What kind of terrible indoctrination had to go on in order to look at another human and see them only as animals? For instance, I honestly don’t believe that compassionate slave masters existed. I do, on the other hand, believe that white people marched with blacks during the Civil Rights Movement.
In conclusion, “Historically, much of the implicit racist social and government policies affecting the quality of life of African Americans and Africans have been based on theoretical constructs used by White Americans and Europeans that are inconsistent with the social and cultural realities of Black people or the Black Community.” (pg. 38) I consider this to be true, because white people have always has the upper hand, and with black people being brought to America to work, whatever the white had to say was “gospel” compared to the word of a black person. That’s why I think it is important for we as black people to go out and get our own understanding and accounts of what our history was like, and not just going on the word of everyone else. At my age I am finding out more and more about history that was never taught or presented to me, and it only makes me hungry for the knowledge of other facts that I didn’t know.
AAAS Interracial History
by Charlencia Taylor
I enjoyed reading both Introduction to African American Studies and White Money Black Power. I cannot wait to read more! Both books really taught me a lot and opened my eyes to new thinking about African & African American Studies. They both really began to show me the evolution of the program, its originating principles and problems, and its current issues. I was very interested in seeing in White Money Black Power how interracial the fight was for Blacks Studies, and how in some cases the Black Studies program was a result of the fight for racial inclusion and not necessarily its on fight. The remarks that Noliwe M. Rooks’ son made were heartwarming and predictable. I thought the same way until I came to college and took classes about African Americans. I thought the fight was primarily fought for, with, and by blacks. I knew a few key white people that helped along the way, but I never thought or imagined that they were on the ground fighting right alongside black people for equality for all. I understand the attitude and the concept that his son believed to be true because in church and in high school that is what I was fed. Dr. Aram Goudsouzian teaches a course called “The Civil Rights Movement,” and in this class, he often referred to what the version of the movement located in high school textbooks and old in some churches is a storybook version meaning that we learn the key figures, key events, and key location and then wrap all up into the equality because of a few laws.
There was a statement in White Money Black Power about as Americans we talk about Race as diversity. We are unable to have a discussion or conversation about racism in America today. The only time we can mention race is to emphasize the argument that it is no longer a problem. This point in the book brought to remembrance a book I just read called Racial Paranoia. This book says that in America we are equal on in the law. It states that the need and ability to be overtly racist is diminished because of public retaliation and the law. It also states that when racism was legal there was no need to hide feeling, but now that it is frowned upon, people are subtle about their racist intentions. Minorities are always questioning things in their lives and contributing it to their minority status whereas whites do not have to worry or even think “Is it because I’m white?”
I enjoyed reading both Introduction to African American Studies and White Money Black Power. I cannot wait to read more! Both books really taught me a lot and opened my eyes to new thinking about African & African American Studies. They both really began to show me the evolution of the program, its originating principles and problems, and its current issues. I was very interested in seeing in White Money Black Power how interracial the fight was for Blacks Studies, and how in some cases the Black Studies program was a result of the fight for racial inclusion and not necessarily its on fight. The remarks that Noliwe M. Rooks’ son made were heartwarming and predictable. I thought the same way until I came to college and took classes about African Americans. I thought the fight was primarily fought for, with, and by blacks. I knew a few key white people that helped along the way, but I never thought or imagined that they were on the ground fighting right alongside black people for equality for all. I understand the attitude and the concept that his son believed to be true because in church and in high school that is what I was fed. Dr. Aram Goudsouzian teaches a course called “The Civil Rights Movement,” and in this class, he often referred to what the version of the movement located in high school textbooks and old in some churches is a storybook version meaning that we learn the key figures, key events, and key location and then wrap all up into the equality because of a few laws.
There was a statement in White Money Black Power about as Americans we talk about Race as diversity. We are unable to have a discussion or conversation about racism in America today. The only time we can mention race is to emphasize the argument that it is no longer a problem. This point in the book brought to remembrance a book I just read called Racial Paranoia. This book says that in America we are equal on in the law. It states that the need and ability to be overtly racist is diminished because of public retaliation and the law. It also states that when racism was legal there was no need to hide feeling, but now that it is frowned upon, people are subtle about their racist intentions. Minorities are always questioning things in their lives and contributing it to their minority status whereas whites do not have to worry or even think “Is it because I’m white?”
Reflections on AAAS
by Regis Reeves
I thought it was insightful as Anderson and Stewart in Introduction to African American Studies began to outline the original purpose for AAAS and began to guide the reader into the ever changing purpose of AAAS. I personally think that we stuck to the old emphases too long and hurt the progress of AAAS throughout the college campuses of the United States. Even as early as the 70s, many African American attitudes had begun to change towards white people and vice versa. They no longer wanted to feel separate from each other, like it’s us and it’s them. I think the original leaders of the movements were still leading and still caring the fire from the Civil Rights Movement. They fail to see that the attitudes of black and white students where changing. There still might have been social and government issues regarding race in America that were hot, but the college campuses of America were always progressive and moving forward just as illustrated in 1968 with San Francisco State College. A college where white students were just as much a critical part of getting the first AAAS program started as African Americans or civil rights leaders were.
I like what Rooks stated in White Money Black Power, “Racial inclusion, white philanthropy, and historical memory are ultimately the center of the creation story of African American Studies.” I feel in spite of the civil rights movements and agendas throughout America, the reason for the inclusion and implementation of African American Studies within the educational system should have remained authentic to what Rooks stated. Just because enrollment in traditional white colleges were not reflecting African Americans, the purpose for including African American contributions within America in the educational curriculum should not have changed. When we take right actions for wrong or contaminated reasons, those right actions will eventually fade away or lose their momentum. Because of that, we find ourselves where we are today, trying reestablish black studies in the United States and in the hearts of African Americans. By now we should already have either mandatory black history or a completely new American history curriculum with the inclusion of African American contributions. Instead, we are still trying to convince mainstream America as well as African Americans that AAAS should even exist.
I like the first chapter of Anderson and Stewart wherein they gave an historical account of those great African-American philosophers such as Sojourner Truth, David Walker, Booker T. Washington and many others. For the African-American student, we must become aware of what we don’t know if we are to ever have any desire to protest for AAAS.
From the first module, I see a bit of quandary for those who push for AAAS. That quandary is how to speak to the already conscientious regarding black studies, and the disinterested at the same time. Sometimes it appears as the writers are preaching to the choir or trying to sell to someone who is already sold. Rooks seem to spend an enormous amount or writing defending or justifying her position before she makes her point. I guess I would prefer the more assumptive position, that if I am reading your book at all, I am on board. However, I realize we are all approaching these courses at different levels of awareness and enlightenment
I thought it was insightful as Anderson and Stewart in Introduction to African American Studies began to outline the original purpose for AAAS and began to guide the reader into the ever changing purpose of AAAS. I personally think that we stuck to the old emphases too long and hurt the progress of AAAS throughout the college campuses of the United States. Even as early as the 70s, many African American attitudes had begun to change towards white people and vice versa. They no longer wanted to feel separate from each other, like it’s us and it’s them. I think the original leaders of the movements were still leading and still caring the fire from the Civil Rights Movement. They fail to see that the attitudes of black and white students where changing. There still might have been social and government issues regarding race in America that were hot, but the college campuses of America were always progressive and moving forward just as illustrated in 1968 with San Francisco State College. A college where white students were just as much a critical part of getting the first AAAS program started as African Americans or civil rights leaders were.
I like what Rooks stated in White Money Black Power, “Racial inclusion, white philanthropy, and historical memory are ultimately the center of the creation story of African American Studies.” I feel in spite of the civil rights movements and agendas throughout America, the reason for the inclusion and implementation of African American Studies within the educational system should have remained authentic to what Rooks stated. Just because enrollment in traditional white colleges were not reflecting African Americans, the purpose for including African American contributions within America in the educational curriculum should not have changed. When we take right actions for wrong or contaminated reasons, those right actions will eventually fade away or lose their momentum. Because of that, we find ourselves where we are today, trying reestablish black studies in the United States and in the hearts of African Americans. By now we should already have either mandatory black history or a completely new American history curriculum with the inclusion of African American contributions. Instead, we are still trying to convince mainstream America as well as African Americans that AAAS should even exist.
I like the first chapter of Anderson and Stewart wherein they gave an historical account of those great African-American philosophers such as Sojourner Truth, David Walker, Booker T. Washington and many others. For the African-American student, we must become aware of what we don’t know if we are to ever have any desire to protest for AAAS.
From the first module, I see a bit of quandary for those who push for AAAS. That quandary is how to speak to the already conscientious regarding black studies, and the disinterested at the same time. Sometimes it appears as the writers are preaching to the choir or trying to sell to someone who is already sold. Rooks seem to spend an enormous amount or writing defending or justifying her position before she makes her point. I guess I would prefer the more assumptive position, that if I am reading your book at all, I am on board. However, I realize we are all approaching these courses at different levels of awareness and enlightenment
Black studies should be as important as any other class
by Shequita Merritt
Black studies should be as important as any other class. An African American Studies class should be a needed course to graduate in high school. Yes I know that there is U.S. history but we all know what we are taught in those classes and it does not even begin to go into the truths about African American History. U. S. history that is taught in high school does not do African American History any justice. This class would be great for black people but it would be beneficial to white people as well. If more white people knew as much about our history as we do theirs, they would have a better understanding of our culture and maybe then we could really see some change towards racism, which is becoming the elephant in the room.
These programs could be easily implemented into the class curriculum. Students would leave high school with a better knowledge of others. The class would consist of African American literature as well. The class would start by not talking about African American but Africa and all that it had to offer which drew the white people to Africa. The teacher could then go into the why black people and how did they even begin to take the soon to become slaves.
This would open the eyes of even some black people. Black studies as we have heard in our lectures can speak to the issues of Racism. I feel that if we teach students about Black people and send them into the world they could be the push racism need to be done away with. The student will go out into the world and government and fight for a change maybe they would see it as their duty to go out into the world and make a change. As you stated also in our lecture African American Studies have always been for whites as well as blacks to give white people insight. So I say to all future educators let’s get together and push for this.
Black studies should be as important as any other class. An African American Studies class should be a needed course to graduate in high school. Yes I know that there is U.S. history but we all know what we are taught in those classes and it does not even begin to go into the truths about African American History. U. S. history that is taught in high school does not do African American History any justice. This class would be great for black people but it would be beneficial to white people as well. If more white people knew as much about our history as we do theirs, they would have a better understanding of our culture and maybe then we could really see some change towards racism, which is becoming the elephant in the room.
These programs could be easily implemented into the class curriculum. Students would leave high school with a better knowledge of others. The class would consist of African American literature as well. The class would start by not talking about African American but Africa and all that it had to offer which drew the white people to Africa. The teacher could then go into the why black people and how did they even begin to take the soon to become slaves.
This would open the eyes of even some black people. Black studies as we have heard in our lectures can speak to the issues of Racism. I feel that if we teach students about Black people and send them into the world they could be the push racism need to be done away with. The student will go out into the world and government and fight for a change maybe they would see it as their duty to go out into the world and make a change. As you stated also in our lecture African American Studies have always been for whites as well as blacks to give white people insight. So I say to all future educators let’s get together and push for this.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Benefits of AAAS
by Andrea Benson
I did not know the true struggle for the AAAS Department in institutions until I began to read on these topics and watch the interviews. I felt so unaware of what is really going on. Sometimes we often take for granted those opportunities that are offered to us. I for one choose to minor in AAAS because I love the aspects of the history of the African American generation that are taught in the classes. Literature for me is a passion and a love, but to see how my own race has been a great influence in literature has been a great inspiration. I often felt that some types of literature were a little complicated and I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out what authors were trying to deliver through their writings. With African American literature and history you get so much more. The study itself is a sign of a struggling nation of people who have overcome so many barriers to become successful. What greater motivation for any race, than to study a group of people who have beat all odds against them. AAAS also gives an individual a diverse way of thinking, learning to think outside of the box. Imagining and positioning ourselves in the lives of individuals who have made great change and difference in our society. Who knows where this nation would be if the past was still the present. However, it is great to learn and know the reasons behind the pursuit of becoming a greater nation.
I did not know the true struggle for the AAAS Department in institutions until I began to read on these topics and watch the interviews. I felt so unaware of what is really going on. Sometimes we often take for granted those opportunities that are offered to us. I for one choose to minor in AAAS because I love the aspects of the history of the African American generation that are taught in the classes. Literature for me is a passion and a love, but to see how my own race has been a great influence in literature has been a great inspiration. I often felt that some types of literature were a little complicated and I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out what authors were trying to deliver through their writings. With African American literature and history you get so much more. The study itself is a sign of a struggling nation of people who have overcome so many barriers to become successful. What greater motivation for any race, than to study a group of people who have beat all odds against them. AAAS also gives an individual a diverse way of thinking, learning to think outside of the box. Imagining and positioning ourselves in the lives of individuals who have made great change and difference in our society. Who knows where this nation would be if the past was still the present. However, it is great to learn and know the reasons behind the pursuit of becoming a greater nation.
An Apologetic for AAAS
By Regis Reeves
Although I appreciate the personal (“what’s in it for me”) aspects of majoring in African, African American Studies, I think it’s bigger the than the personal benefits. Looking at the question in context of the entire reading and lectures, I see a greater need and greater call for a greater America. As stated in the textbook, education should give us the opportunity to be the best Americans or citizens that one can be regardless of race. African American influence and impact in America is so vital and profound that no one can overlook it or deny it. Whether we are becoming community leaders, employers or politicians, it is important that we are keenly familiar with the people whom we are leading and interacting with. We see clearly in many of the politicians of today that they have no education regarding the African and African American experience within America. I see this not only in white politicians and employment gatekeepers, but in African Americans as well. I hope that we see the personal benefits of employability, support from the department, how it makes our resume` appear and all the personal benefits as “icing on the cake”. The whole of why African and African American Study is vital to all Americans is far beyond my employment opportunities. If all we see is the “what’s in it for me,” then we cannot get angry at a Tea Party or a Newt Gingrich or Condoleezza Rice and Herman Cain. Because if you not educated to the African American experience, then you cannot speak to the African American experience or act in a reasonable and intelligent way towards it.
Although I appreciate the personal (“what’s in it for me”) aspects of majoring in African, African American Studies, I think it’s bigger the than the personal benefits. Looking at the question in context of the entire reading and lectures, I see a greater need and greater call for a greater America. As stated in the textbook, education should give us the opportunity to be the best Americans or citizens that one can be regardless of race. African American influence and impact in America is so vital and profound that no one can overlook it or deny it. Whether we are becoming community leaders, employers or politicians, it is important that we are keenly familiar with the people whom we are leading and interacting with. We see clearly in many of the politicians of today that they have no education regarding the African and African American experience within America. I see this not only in white politicians and employment gatekeepers, but in African Americans as well. I hope that we see the personal benefits of employability, support from the department, how it makes our resume` appear and all the personal benefits as “icing on the cake”. The whole of why African and African American Study is vital to all Americans is far beyond my employment opportunities. If all we see is the “what’s in it for me,” then we cannot get angry at a Tea Party or a Newt Gingrich or Condoleezza Rice and Herman Cain. Because if you not educated to the African American experience, then you cannot speak to the African American experience or act in a reasonable and intelligent way towards it.
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