GSLL 6206 80 Sec. 2

Roger Johnson

February 18/2012

Afrocentricity as I see it

As I move forward to complete Dr. Plumb's class, I have been comparing the concepts of Community of Practices and whether it can be infused with Africentric Principles. The course is quite interesting, and at times the material regarding Wenger can be very difficult to understand. It becomes so difficult that it becomes simple. If I read and re-read the material, I can always find a port hole to make sense of what Wenger is trying to say, but for the sake of this essay, my primary focus will give my idea of what I believe to be as the underpinnings of Afrocentric practices.

In determining my concept of Africentricity, I have taken into account the need to assess this topic critically, as opposed to comparing Africentric notions of differences. By my own definition, Afrocentricity is, "knowing that the tribulations from the African Diaspora does not inhibit people of African Heritage to strengthen their communities, educate themselves, while at the same time being conscientiously aware of systemic racism". Allow me to explain myself. For the most part, Black people have struggled mentally to benefit from the contributions they have made to society. Irrespective of European dominance, and exclusion, Black people have maintained strong and stable communities. In the early years of the African Diaspora, Blacks had to educate themselves because European society either denied them education, or the necessary resources to obtain a meaningful education. If Blacks were fortunate enough to receive education, men were educated as blue collar tradesmen, and women were educated as domestics. Thus, to be conscientiously aware means that Blacks must maintain the ability to know racism, and continue to fight the struggle by means such as the Africentric Cohort.  

 I think that successful strategies for advancing educational change in the Black community must be empowering, be written specifically for the Black community, as well as hold the educators accountable for the delivery of pedagogical edification. Also, all community members included even if they are not academically educated. We must bear in mind, that they have knowledge, experience, and have contextually experienced racism because, history dictates that Blacks have been marginalized in educational circles for over 400 years.

Unfortunately, race is significant when speaking of educational inclusion. So I assert the thought that Black people must repetitiously take control of the tedious task of educating their communities. In doing so, I think they Black people will become aware of their own conscientiousness, and place more focus and emphasis on understanding who they are, rather than on what they can become. It is very difficult to uneducated the educated.

                                                               

I am with conviction that the concept of spirituality and the role it has played in the Black community must be present at all times. I think the problem arises from the European mercantilistic idea of personal wealth. I will admit that most of us living in a democratic society, possess the vocation to attain personal wealth and absolute freedoms. However, Afrocentricity is a collective and communal concept, including all community members. So I believe if Black people can incorporate the ideas of Eurocentricity with Africentricity the defragmentation of our communities will slowly diminish.

In closing, so much has been said about Afrocentricity. As we enter into the year 2012, one would think that people from all walks of life could understand world cultures. When I hear the word education, I continue to think it strange that we still live in a society where there is so much disparity in what is considered and valued as appropriate education. Most learning institutions educate their students from a Eurocentric perspective. Learning from a Eurocentric point of view, leaves a narrow gap for other cultures to learn or study from a non-Eurocentric perspective. Education does not belong to any one race or culture, nor can it be implied that any cultural education is superior. Those of us who live in a democratic society must adhere to an inclusion mindset. Hence, I believe a successful lifelong learning program should include both Africentric and Eurocentric concepts in order for community practices accomplish a meaningful outcome.