An Afrikan-Centered Critique of "Afrocentricity"

[Simba Nerevu]

http://www.mukasa.info

The Intergenerational Afrikan Worldview:
An Afrikan-Centered Critique
DEBUNKING "Afrocentricity" (the Propaganda-Myth)
Mukasa Afrika

Molefi Asante has been wrongly called "the father of Afrocentricity" by his followers and others who are naive enough. He has not discouraged the ridiculous claim, and has promoted it. Others mistakenly believe that he coined the term or defined the concept before anyone else. It is the fault of our present generation of "scholars and leaders" for not directly addressing this propaganda-myth at the heart of our worldview. What is called "Afrocentricity" today has no father, and really no innovators, especially from this modern era of history. Additionally, in the Afrikan worldview, nothing has a father without a mother. The idea of a fatherhood for a then modern idea with ancient roots is a form of plagiarism of the older idea. The Greeks were labeled "fathers" of Nile Valley concepts they learned in Afrika. Our scholars and leaders continuously address the Greek plagiarisms of Afrikan ideas, but for political reasons, handshakes, and pats on the back, very few of our "leaders and scholars" will address the modern plagiarism of the cultural worldview improperly defined as "Afrocentricity." Thus, in not addressing this propaganda-myth, and for some who even support it, the intellectual chaos has become an endless wire of confusion and mis-concepts in our movement. There are no modern day innovators of the Afrikan worldview because this generation's knowledge has been passed down from our ancestors. The Afrikan worldview is a product of generations, a product of the history and culture of a people, not an individual.

Note: This is a two part article.
Download Part One of this article as a pdf or rtf file.
Download Part Two of this article as a pdf or rtf file.

[rebelAfrika]

I wonder why the author of this article thinks our scholars could make such a "monumental" mistake as to falsely allow Molefi Keiti Asante to take credit for being the chief theoritician of Afrocentricity? It seems to me they would have caught that and checked that if it wasn't true.

[Elisa Keisha]

ooowee asante sana Warrior.
Im meeting Molefi on friday and i was searchin for some info on him. Now i got more than i needed! already preparin some questions.....

now rebel please u betta show me other point of view if u have it, lol

[Imhotep]

This was a big waste of time and energy. He just needed to talk about something. He is not a scholar. He hasn't advanced any philisophical thought by this critique. Molefi Kente Asante never claimed he came up with the idea of African centeredness. He cites people before him who have practiced the ideology.

What Molefi Kente Asante did was specifically put it in the context of a theoretical framework for those in education. Whether he coined the term or not is irrelevant. This cat's work serves no purpose. Everyone knows that concepts are built upon concepts. He is not introducing anything new.

He could have focused on something that was relevant. He is still in the deconstruction stage of research. Very outdated.

[rebelAfrika]

Mukasa Afrika is currently a Ph.D. student in African American Studies at Temple University. He is a teacher among the Council of Independent Black Institutions (CIBI) and a member of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC).

Wait a minute...this guy is at Temple University? Isn't that where Asante is teaching? Uh oh. I had heard that there was fractions within the African Studies department at Temple. Looks like people are taking sides. I hope this doesn't get ugly.

[General]

This debate/issue has been enlightening though I beg to suggest that at times of course some are given credit for things they've learned from others. Like myself I'm claiming that I am the "If U will Master of the teachings of Dr. Amos Wilson". I say that because I put it to practice. Though I have learned some things on here about Dr. Amos Wilson from other Conscious folks. I still believe I put it to practice and have a good applicable operation for my personal conditions. Anyway, I'd appreciate if these "Cultural Nationalist" if they call themselves that i.e. Mulangua Karenga, Molefi Asante would engage in what Huey P. Newton and Dr. Amos Wilson would call Material Nationalism, whereby all of the historical Afrikan context can be used for more practical Nation Building. It go both ways, there are some Need to Grows without an Afrikan Centered world view, names and Kulture though they attempt to engage in Practical analysis of the material conditions. I've seen too many scholars not being effective organizers or what some would call Armchair Revolutionaries. There are some that I could site, but some might get upset with me and say I was counter revolutionary, but I stand to be corrected if anything is incorrect with my assessment. I believe that this website is filled with real students and scholars so I don't need a White School sucking all our black dollars Temple, Howard, FAMU, Morehouse to validate me. I mean honestly, 90% of those that come through these schools come out to be disconnected, European Supporting/financing Bourgisie Race Traitors and Sambo's. If anyone has a higher # or lower #, but I've found them to be a most backward self hating alienated, Europeanized Christianized institutuions that maintain the system of White World Terror Domination and do not raise the Consciousness of persons of Afrikan Descent. These schools do 95% poor job and continue to Miseducate Black people. The Professors there ALL Black Professors are mentally trapped and have not engaged in total research to Maximize persons of Afrikan Descent Black Power in all aspects of our life. Why don't any speak about Power anymore? I'm not interested in fantasy romaniticized lectures. Been to all of them, tired of the Rappers and Clappers All Afrikan Centered Scholars need to speak and articulate on the issue of Black Racial Power. Anything else they are holding our Race back 20 years as the whole damn lecture model is doing. So Mukasa sp. sorry if I spelled ur name wrong. I Dr. Asante is not the father of Afrikan Centered research than who is? I guess U R saying there is no father of it.

[Sadiku]

Some ramblings are so trivial and moot. Who, amongst us, of true Black consciousness, cares about who "invented" the term afrocentricity. This imbecilic debate warrants not utterings. How does finding out who "invented" the term help further our struggle? We have so many problems that begs discussion and we spend valuable time debating this pure nonsense. This less than mediocrity breeds discension and further hinders our quest for unity. Enough already. Can we please find something more germaine to our quest for freedom from oppresion - anything but "who invented what term. " Ugggggggh

Originally Posted by Simba Nerevu

http://www.mukasa.info

The Intergenerational Afrikan Worldview:
An Afrikan-Centered Critique
DEBUNKING "Afrocentricity" (the Propaganda-Myth)
Mukasa Afrika

Molefi Asante has been wrongly called "the father of Afrocentricity" by his followers and others who are naive enough. He has not discouraged the ridiculous claim, and has promoted it. Others mistakenly believe that he coined the term or defined the concept before anyone else. It is the fault of our present generation of "scholars and leaders" for not directly addressing this propaganda-myth at the heart of our worldview. What is called "Afrocentricity" today has no father, and really no innovators, especially from this modern era of history. Additionally, in the Afrikan worldview, nothing has a father without a mother. The idea of a fatherhood for a then modern idea with ancient roots is a form of plagiarism of the older idea. The Greeks were labeled "fathers" of Nile Valley concepts they learned in Afrika. Our scholars and leaders continuously address the Greek plagiarisms of Afrikan ideas, but for political reasons, handshakes, and pats on the back, very few of our "leaders and scholars" will address the modern plagiarism of the cultural worldview improperly defined as "Afrocentricity." Thus, in not addressing this propaganda-myth, and for some who even support it, the intellectual chaos has become an endless wire of confusion and mis-concepts in our movement. There are no modern day innovators of the Afrikan worldview because this generation's knowledge has been passed down from our ancestors. The Afrikan worldview is a product of generations, a product of the history and culture of a people, not an individual.

Note: This is a two part article.
Download Part One of this article as a pdf or rtf file.
Download Part Two of this article as a pdf or rtf file.

[Simba Nerevu]

I've noted the general tenor of some of the replies to this post and I must offer the following. Critique and unity are not disparate entities. In fact I contend that Bro. Mukasa's critique is directed towards us finding a greater conceptual unity within the historical continuum of Afrikan critical social thought. This is important for several reasons. First it assists us in understanding the development of Afrikan-Centered epistemology in the western hemisphere. Second, it allows for us to situate Afrikan knowledge construction within the collective domain where it belongs by demonstrating the myriad of loci from which African-Centered knowledge develops. Third, it seeks to connect the work of Afrikan thinkers and activists with the work and achievements of our ancestors, thus demonstrating in tangible ways how we (those of us who are Afrikan-Centered) are cultivating the tradition of our ancestors in the now.

This is the basis for this works relevance. I suspect (though I hope that I'm incorrect) that some people are reading the title and abstract, without actually reading the essay. I offer this not be be condescending but because none of the critiques which I have seen have addressed the essence of Bro. Mukasa's argument. Incomplete understanding is a poor basis from which to engage in critique.

I posted this because this work reflects one of the prominent themes in contemporary Afrikan-Centered scholarship. This being the question of historiography. Readers of several of the essays in ASCAC's Preliminary Challenge will note this. We must fully understand this conceptual lineage. There is nothing inherently divisive in striving for clarity.

Would any of you disagree? Would anyone care to offer a scholarly critique of this work? Is the brother in error? How does the culture of the academy and the appropriation of Afrikan culture/epistemology create the malaise to which Bro. Mukasa (and other Afrikan-Centered scholars) is (are) responding?

In the spirit of critical reflection. In the hopes of substantive analysis.
SN

[Akyeame Kwame]

"The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism."

Wole Soyinka

[General]

I personally did not read the Bro's summation. I'm with Bro. Sadiku honestly, What difference does it make who invented something I mean I have studied the work of Dr. Asante though Afrikan Centered thought is about Nation building, Technology, Land, Wealth, Power, Weapons, Armies. I don't know if Dr. Asante has organized himself in that degree to address the concrete material issues of persons of Afrikan Descent. I've seen many "Cultural Analysis" as Dr. Amos Wilson suggest that where Dashiki's all day, speak about the Greatnest of Afrikan Civilization but won't put up one cent to build a Black School this is real. I see it all around me and correct me if I'm wrong but Dr. Asante appears to be one of these Cultural Nationalist i.e. somehow just our knowledge of Afrikan History will change how Europeans do things in the world. That knowledge of history must come into the Consciousness of what has happened and then more-so create a system as Baba Kambon suggest what is the Ultimate Final Solution. I appreciate Baba Kambon for really putting it out like that. That is the Highest state of Afro-Centricity. So if anything the so-called founder of Afro-Centricity should be Dr./Baba Kamau Kambon to hell with all this Negro Stuff. I mean these folks meant well, I'm not antagonistic to Dr. Asante though lets get real. Dr. Asante and many other PH.D scholars believe that lecturing and teaching on White Universities they are doing something. This is what I call Armchair Revolutionaries. I haven't read the definition of Armchair Revolutionaries that was posted on here, but from the top of my head I believe I was aware of what this term has meant for sometime. I'm going to see what this website says about Armchair Revolutionaries. B.T.W. I won't read this piece now, again I'm like Bro. Sadiku how is this debate going to solve anything. It may partially but to debate can someone call themselves the Father of Afro-Centricity as the topic alludes to does not warrant my absolute "stop what I'm studying to read it". Baba Kamau Kambons Black Guerilla Warfare in America is something I will stop what I'm doing to read, now how about talking about the Father of Black Guerilla Warfare?

Peace

[Sadiku]

AMEN! UM! AM! AMON! A MEN RA! AMENRA! A MEN!

Originally Posted by General

I personally did not read the Bro's summation. I'm with Bro. Sadiku honestly, What difference does it make who invented something I mean I have studied the work of Dr. Asante though Afrikan Centered thought is about Nation building, Technology, Land, Wealth, Power, Weapons, Armies. I don't know if Dr. Asante has organized himself in that degree to address the concrete material issues of persons of Afrikan Descent. I've seen many "Cultural Analysis" as Dr. Amos Wilson suggest that where Dashiki's all day, speak about the Greatnest of Afrikan Civilization but won't put up one cent to build a Black School this is real. I see it all around me and correct me if I'm wrong but Dr. Asante appears to be one of these Cultural Nationalist i.e. somehow just our knowledge of Afrikan History will change how Europeans do things in the world. That knowledge of history must come into the Consciousness of what has happened and then more-so create a system as Baba Kambon suggest what is the Ultimate Final Solution. I appreciate Baba Kambon for really putting it out like that. That is the Highest state of Afro-Centricity. So if anything the so-called founder of Afro-Centricity should be Dr./Baba Kamau Kambon to hell with all this Negro Stuff. I mean these folks meant well, I'm not antagonistic to Dr. Asante though lets get real. Dr. Asante and many other PH.D scholars believe that lecturing and teaching on White Universities they are doing something. This is what I call Armchair Revolutionaries. I haven't read the definition of Armchair Revolutionaries that was posted on here, but from the top of my head I believe I was aware of what this term has meant for sometime. I'm going to see what this website says about Armchair Revolutionaries. B.T.W. I won't read this piece now, again I'm like Bro. Sadiku how is this debate going to solve anything. It may partially but to debate can someone call themselves the Father of Afro-Centricity as the topic alludes to does not warrant my absolute "stop what I'm studying to read it". Baba Kamau Kambons Black Guerilla Warfare in America is something I will stop what I'm doing to read, now how about talking about the Father of Black Guerilla Warfare?

Peace

[Simba Nerevu]

Excerpt from the essay:

Again, the fact is that all Afrikan cultures, by the divine rite of coming into existence from a very distant past, possessed the Afrikan worldview. That worldview was thus passed down through the ages. My fundamental position is that the Afrikan worldview was not created in America among “African Americans,” but rather began in Afrika. The Afrikans taken to America on slave ships carried the worldview with them. In a 1970 publication of his memorial to Eduardo Mondlane, entitled National Liberation and Culture, I agree with Amilcar Cabral where he states:

Whatever may be the ideological or idealistic characteristics of cultural expression, culture is an essential element of the history of a people. Culture is, perhaps, the product of this history just as the flower is the product of a plant.

This 1970 statement of Cabral, a revolutionary leader in the armed struggle for independence, were words to honor another revolutionary leader in the armed struggle, Eduardo Mondlane of Mozambique who had founded Frelimo. Amilcar Cabral was the foremost leader of the armed struggle for the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde in West Afrika. Cabral dedicated his life to the resistance campaign for his people, and eventually he gave his life to this struggle with his assassination in 1973 – Mondlane was assassinated in 1969. Cabral’s soldiers of the PAIGC often saw him, not only directing battle, but in battle with them. Cabral and Mondlane are honored ancestors for Afrikan people throughout the world as anti-imperialists and armed freedom fighters.

Taken from The Intergenerational Afrikan Worldview: An Afrikan-Centered Critique
DEBUNKING “Afrocentricity” (the Propaganda-Myth)
Part Two
By Mukasa Afrika
http://www.mukasa.info

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by Simba Nerevu

Excerpt from the essay:

Again, the fact is that all Afrikan cultures, by the divine rite of coming into existence from a very distant past, possessed the Afrikan worldview. That worldview was thus passed down through the ages. My fundamental position is that the Afrikan worldview was not created in America among “African Americans,” but rather began in Afrika. The Afrikans taken to America on slave ships carried the worldview with them. In a 1970 publication of his memorial to Eduardo Mondlane, entitled National Liberation and Culture, I agree with Amilcar Cabral where he states:

Whatever may be the ideological or idealistic characteristics of cultural expression, culture is an essential element of the history of a people. Culture is, perhaps, the product of this history just as the flower is the product of a plant.

This 1970 statement of Cabral, a revolutionary leader in the armed struggle for independence, were words to honor another revolutionary leader in the armed struggle, Eduardo Mondlane of Mozambique who had founded Frelimo. Amilcar Cabral was the foremost leader of the armed struggle for the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde in West Afrika. Cabral dedicated his life to the resistance campaign for his people, and eventually he gave his life to this struggle with his assassination in 1973 – Mondlane was assassinated in 1969. Cabral’s soldiers of the PAIGC often saw him, not only directing battle, but in battle with them. Cabral and Mondlane are honored ancestors for Afrikan people throughout the world as anti-imperialists and armed freedom fighters.

Taken from The Intergenerational Afrikan Worldview: An Afrikan-Centered Critique
DEBUNKING “Afrocentricity” (the Propaganda-Myth)
Part Two
By Mukasa Afrika
http://www.mukasa.info

I was curious...is this a position that you want to advance because you agree with it? Or is this a position that you are sharing with us in order that we may aware of it's existence? Or is it something else? By the way...I appreciate the discussion. Thank you for sharing it.

[Simba Nerevu]

Originally Posted by rebelafrika

I was curious...is this a position that you want to advance because you agree with it? Or is this a position that you are sharing with us in order that we may aware of it's existence? Or is it something else? By the way...I appreciate the discussion. Thank you for sharing it.

Yes, I do agree with Bro. Afrika that the Afrikan-Centered framework is a collective product of Afrikan people. I also believe that its important for us to understand the historical context from which this framework evolves. While many of us advocate various forms of struggle, we are remise if we do not understand the importance of culture and its attendent considerations for social and political organization. Understanding this historical continuum potentially informs our critical engagement in the present and instructs us in how to build the future. If we do not understand culture then how do we resolve the following question:

• What is required to compel us to collectively engage in Nation Building? Or to wage revolution? What factors contribute from our psychological capacity commit the physical and material sacrifices necessary to Destroy Destruction?
• What type of world are we attempting to bring into being? We will re-create what we know best. Therefore if we do not understand Afrikan history and culture then how will we (re)build Afrikan civilization?
• Finally, how do we insure the intergenerational growth and expansion of our movement? Rhetoric cannot do this. Nor will superficial analysis. What processes of socialization have we/will we devise for this end? What culture/ideology/epistemology will inform these works?

And yes Bro. RebelAfrika, I am sharing this for the sake of informed discussion, dialogue and exchange.

Asante (thank you).
SN

[Ajaguna]

Originally Posted by Simba Nerevu

Yes, I do agree with Bro. Afrika that the Afrikan-Centered framework is a collective product of Afrikan people. I also believe that its important for us to understand the historical context from which this framework evolves. While many of us advocate various forms of struggle, we are remise if we do not understand the importance of culture and its attendent considerations for social and political organization. Understanding this historical continuum potentially informs our critical engagement in the present and instructs us in how to build the future. If we do not understand culture then how do we resolve the following question:

• What is required to compel us to collectively engage in Nation Building? Or to wage revolution? What factors contribute from our psychological capacity commit the physical and material sacrifices necessary to Destroy Destruction?
• What type of world are we attempting to bring into being? We will re-create what we know best. Therefore if we do not understand Afrikan history and culture then how will we (re)build Afrikan civilization?
• Finally, how do we insure the intergenerational growth and expansion of our movement? Rhetoric cannot do this. Nor will superficial analysis. What processes of socialization have we/will we devise for this end? What culture/ideology/epistemology will inform these works?

SN

That's real talk. Straight wisdom comin' out ya mouth. This discussion reminds me of the age old debate of the "cultural nationalism" of the US organization and the "revolutionary nationalism" of the Panthers. Part of the beauty of having elders is that we don't have to reinvent the wheel. We have shoulders to stand on. We gotta synthesize the cultural and revolutionary nationalism. They are both one and the same. We can't wage no war like crakkas wage war. We got to wage war as Afrikans! WE can't build, heal,.... do nothing outside of our culture... and be successful. Culture informs everything. And we have to be clear that NO ONE can/has invented Afrocentricity, Africentricity or African Centeredness. Our culture is OLD. IT travels the our blood. Our worldview is not merely a scholarly undertaking. It is our reality. Without it we do not exist. Without it we will not win.