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