The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy

Cameron Gilmore Professor Stephen Ferguson Lib eonl Studies 202 14 September 2012 The utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity captious Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy In this paper, I leave behind analyze Stephen Fergusons word The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy. Throughout Fergusons name he discusses the limitations of Afrocentrism and the contradict effects it may cause because of the beliefs and ideas expressed from the philosophical view.Following the summary of the articles main points and themes, I sh totally expound upon the articles lettered theme, while illuminating the authors generalization of this worldview. Ferguson introduces the reader to the article with a poem entitled Heritage by Countee Cullen. While Ferguson solo includes the first stanza of that poem, the entirety of the poem somewhat relates to the view of Afrocentrism in how Cullen articulates the strike of Africa, but by the end of the poem the mood h as changed to Cullens sure life and how it has changed.Like the poem the main point of the article is that Afrocentrism may be something of a good thing, but it can non be any good to memorial if it is only based of off of fantasy or fairy chronicle as Ferguson states. There are many examples on the claims that are do on Afrocentrism and how it clouds the rich African-American or African heritage.One line from the exit says, the Afrocentric quest for an authentic past ignores the fact that the Pharaohs in conjunction with the priests were an oppressive and exploitive aristocracy. Dreaming of what Kwame Nkrumah termed an idyllic African classless society is a wrong-headed get for Black Studies (Ferguson). I found that this strongly demonstrates how farfetched ideas may become, mostly, when Afrocentrism becomes solely a ploy to console the African-American race from times of compete or disparity.Along with the negative side of the Afrocentric view, Ferguson greatly details on how it is point more cardinal to read, research, learn and teach all parts of explanation in which, he includes a cited passage, The Mis-Education of the Negro, written by Carter G. Woodson which basically says that it is important to read or so great historic heroes such as George working capital and Thomas Jefferson, but it is just as important to read about(predicate) the slaves that provided all the labor that contributed and made this country what it is today.One final theme that I received from the article is that like todays Eurocentric view, which is too full of fallacy, Afrocentrism would not be too far from it with all the misdirect and misguided illustrations, as opposed to simply researching and collecting facts, like this adduce from Carter G. Woodson used in the article, race prejudice was based on wide-spread ignorance and that guardedly gathered scientific proof would eliminate it (Ferguson).Throughout this review of Fergusons The Utopian Worldview of Afr ocentricity Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy, I contribute discussed the authors main points which I intend are that Afrocentrism is much filled with ideal views and utopian ideas, that African-Americans used these ideas at times of ill fortune to uplift the race, that it is just as important to research and learn about European history as well as every early(a) history and that just as Eurocentrism can be cloudy in terms of actuality, so can Afrocentrism.I would have to honestly agree with all of these points, especially after the given details and examples, however I do fear that the author has made a generalization of this Afrocentric view. I believe that many people nowadays know of the oppression faced during the era of Ancient Egypt and Africa, and those phrases and terms given by early generation African-Americans which supply to the false ideas to Afrocentrism have been proven to be exaggeration.In conclusion, I have cerebrate that while Ferguson has give n great details and is right on his claims, this does not mean that they are widely believed as much as his says, which in turn gives of a since of generalization.