ADW 111
PROF. HALEY
Critical Essay
Original Title
Toni Spencer tspence9@scmail.spelman.edu November 7, 2017
The African diaspora is made up of individuals that share the common ancestry of African descent. According to Professor Tiffany Ruby Patterson and Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley, the african diaspora is the “experiences of african peoples dispersed by the slave trade and [it is] also an analytic term that enabled scholars to talk about black communities across national boundaries. Much of this scholarship examined the dispersal of people of African descent, their role in transformation and creation of new cultures, institutions and ideas outside of Africa” (par. 5). Consequently, the African diaspora has a long history that …show more content…
Additionally, “ antiquity reminds us that modernity could not have been predicted, that Africans were not always under the heel but were in fact at the forefront of human civilization. Second, antiquity reminds us that the African Diaspora did not begin with the slave trades. Rather, the dissemination of African ideas and persons actually began long ago” (Gomez 9).This exemplifies the rich history and culture that should direct the narrative of Africa. The accomplishments of Africans during antiquity are often lost through the process of remembering and forgetting. Africa’s influence on the new world is often overshadowed by the horrific past of slavery however, we must still acknowledge its impact in order to fully appreciate the diasporic experience. Moreover, until antiquity is acknowledged is acknowledge as an equal counterpart to slavery in regards to the diasporic experience the despondent attitudes directed towards the diaspora will still …show more content…
Notably, it created a traumatic environment to the mental stability of those in this particular marginalized community, the African diaspora. Youth within the African diaspora neglect to receive a sustainable depiction of Africa while also receiving a surplus of pessimistic attitudes towards both the African history and culture. This is a detrimental combination ,especially to the young minds that can be easily influenced. According to Mental Health America, over 6.8 million people who identify as black or African American had a diagnosable mental illness in 2015 (par. 2). Moreover, “Adult Black/African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult whites. Adult Black/African Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than are adult whites” (Black & African American communities par 2) . This exemplifies the impact that the discourse surrounding Africa and its descendants has on members of the diaspora. Ergo, understanding the diaspora in its entirety is essential in uplifting those of african origins out of such a inimical
PROF. HALEY
Critical Essay
Original Title
Toni Spencer tspence9@scmail.spelman.edu November 7, 2017
The African diaspora is made up of individuals that share the common ancestry of African descent. According to Professor Tiffany Ruby Patterson and Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley, the african diaspora is the “experiences of african peoples dispersed by the slave trade and [it is] also an analytic term that enabled scholars to talk about black communities across national boundaries. Much of this scholarship examined the dispersal of people of African descent, their role in transformation and creation of new cultures, institutions and ideas outside of Africa” (par. 5). Consequently, the African diaspora has a long history that …show more content…
Additionally, “ antiquity reminds us that modernity could not have been predicted, that Africans were not always under the heel but were in fact at the forefront of human civilization. Second, antiquity reminds us that the African Diaspora did not begin with the slave trades. Rather, the dissemination of African ideas and persons actually began long ago” (Gomez 9).This exemplifies the rich history and culture that should direct the narrative of Africa. The accomplishments of Africans during antiquity are often lost through the process of remembering and forgetting. Africa’s influence on the new world is often overshadowed by the horrific past of slavery however, we must still acknowledge its impact in order to fully appreciate the diasporic experience. Moreover, until antiquity is acknowledged is acknowledge as an equal counterpart to slavery in regards to the diasporic experience the despondent attitudes directed towards the diaspora will still …show more content…
Notably, it created a traumatic environment to the mental stability of those in this particular marginalized community, the African diaspora. Youth within the African diaspora neglect to receive a sustainable depiction of Africa while also receiving a surplus of pessimistic attitudes towards both the African history and culture. This is a detrimental combination ,especially to the young minds that can be easily influenced. According to Mental Health America, over 6.8 million people who identify as black or African American had a diagnosable mental illness in 2015 (par. 2). Moreover, “Adult Black/African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult whites. Adult Black/African Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than are adult whites” (Black & African American communities par 2) . This exemplifies the impact that the discourse surrounding Africa and its descendants has on members of the diaspora. Ergo, understanding the diaspora in its entirety is essential in uplifting those of african origins out of such a inimical