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Article: Black Americans, Africa and History: A Reassessment of the Pan-African and Identity Paradigms.
- Article from:
- The Western Journal of Black Studies
- Article date:
- September 22, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 The Western Journal of Black Studies. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract
The paper critically examines two paradigms that are central to the Africa-Black America nexus: Pan-Africanism and Identity. It contends that the present surge of Pan-African consciousness and moves toward regenerating the Pan-African tradition have to be considered in the context of the historical trajectories and experiences of Africans and blacks in diaspora. It further contends that there are serious problems of identity among both black Americans and Africans. It critiques the African identity construct (forcefully defended in Afrocentrism) which characterized black Americans as Africans, and suggests that black American identity is much too ...