New Directions in Africana Studies/Africalogy: Bridging the Gap Between Liberal Arts and Utilitarianism
Keywords:
Africana Studies, Africalogy, European hegemony, academic revolution, knowledge production, intellectual autonomyAbstract
This article analyzes the emergence of Africana Studies/Africalogy as a revolutionary academic discipline in the late 1960s and early 1970s, challenging European intellectual and cultural hegemony within American universities. The paper explores how African students and scholars sought to transform the academic landscape by advocating for knowledge production that reflected African human, cultural, and intellectual interests. The methodology involves a critical examination of historical texts and scholarly works by key figures such as Maulana Karenga, Molefi Asante, and Houston A. Baker. Key findings highlight the disruptive nature of Africana Studies/Africalogy, which defied disciplinary boundaries and emphasized holism, interconnectedness, history, and culture. The significance of this study lies in its demonstration of how Africana Studies/Africalogy served as a tool for African liberation and intellectual autonomy, challenging European epistemological dictatorship and advocating for diverse perspectives in academic discourse.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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