On Africana Scholorship

Yesterday I was at the library checking e-mails and reading the newest book in my personal collection: Mattias Gardells "In The Name of Elijah Muhammad, Louis Farrakahn and the Nation of Islam" when something caught my ears. I noticed that a younger black man had asked the librarian for assistance in locating a "good book on Malcolm X". I noticed that she took him over to the biography section (which is close to where I was seated) and they began going through the different selections. He picked up Malcolm Xs autobiography and asked her about it. She told him that their might be better books on him and showed him a number of the other books in the libraries collection, it was at this point I felt the need to intervene as I personally believe that The Autobiography of Malcolm X should be mandatory reading for all Black males in particular. I informed him of my personal recommendation and he chose to listen to me. Maybe it was the fact that I happened to also be reading a book on Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, maybe it was the fact that I am currently a student at Howard University: "The Mecca for Black Education", whatever the case is this situation led me to the to write these words on Africana Scholarship.

As a member of the Kwame Toure Society for Africana Studies I have pledged my life and my work to the development of the study of Africa and her people. Had I not been present the young man in question would have surely found himself reading another persons thoughts on Malcolm X when he could have been reading Malcolm X's thoughts on himself and the issues he dealt with. It is time for those of us who are aware of the scholarship to begin the process of taking back our schools so that our students are aware of the many wonderful books in circulation and we must also give them the tools to know what is proper and what is not. The question then must be asked "What is Africana scholarship?"

Based on my reading of the topic (See Dr. Asa Hilliards article: "To Be an African Teacher") Africana scholarship is not only a recitation of facts, names, dates and locations but it also seeks to talk about African people in ways that African people talk about and view ourselves. This principle can be seen in my recommendation of the Malcolm Xs autobiography over the writings of another offer on what they think of Malcolm X. Although some in academia may argue that objectivity is key in studies of political and social movements and figures it is my belief that while there is an aura of truth to that philosophy it is also true that African people in the Universities across America and abroad have tried to be objective about African people, African history and African problems for far too long. Too many of the so-called scholars are busy trying to translate and explain African issues in Eurocentric terms and inso doing make Eurocentric ideals appear to be the philosophical frame through which African history should be viewed. While part of the reason for these actions is that they are apart of the "intellectual warfare" on the Africana tradition and methodology, it is also true that in many instances the historical, political, social, philosophical and sadly the theological grammar is, (while in many cases heavily written about in works by Dr. Chancellor Williams, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. John H. Clarke and others) not readily available to the average student in America.

As the year 2009 approaches and Barack Obama will become the first President of recognized African descent in this countries
history, let us not allow this historic moment to mesmerize us and inso doing blind us to the fact that he is but one in a long line of African rulers. Furthermore let us also not allow our students to continue to be brainwashed by Eurocentric ideals in "schools". Instead I believe it is time for us to not only give them the tools but also to create our own independent institutions that not only educate African students but that are also created with the purpose of being the houses of tangible, measurable, qualitative and quantitative change in not only the African world but in every space and position that Africa's children find ourselves in.