posted
lol, time commitments coming up will mean less time spent here, but can't say I have that much more on top of the previous thread. Tukler said most of it. A few extra points:
Harvesting-- I only basically added the need to harvest info far and wide and keep plugging in into ES. Aside from making it available for study and comment, it will be indexed in Google, and will thus continue to provide an excellent alternative source and end-run to the "stealth edits" on Wikipedia that lock out valid scholarship. Anyone can harvest- even a newbie. And of course, on a more cynical level, more data dumped will boost site traffic. Not endorsing this as a reason, just pointing out the practicalities.
Black collegians-- This demographic will likely be more sympathetic to an African focused topic, and are already in an academic environment and have access to relevant pdfs- a big plus. Also, notice how many men there are ready to do some sort of battle on these sorts of forums? This is not a bad thing at all. Just saying as a matter of demographics- we of course always need more men, but females too. We already have outstanding female participants at least in prior years- maybe we need to keep pushing this angle in parallel too, as more women are on campus these days, and frankly, they are doing better than the men academically.
"Tactical cooperation"- with other venues- Yes we have been critical of those who have unfairly attacked ES, unfairly. But "tactical cooperation" just means the enemy of my enemy, is my friend. This may involve tactical collaboration with other venues like Facebook on specific issues. Let's say a series of sweeping new DNA studies come out, with statements and interpretations framed in such a way as to seriously damage a more balanced picture of African bio-cultural history. The media eats it up, and the usual suspects use it to tout old race notions about Africa. The zone is flooded, both with clever sound bites to this end and with detailed, complicated data. In such cases, "tactical" collaboration between Facebook and ES/Reloaded can more quickly hit back, set the record straight, and forcefully debunk what needs to be debunked. ES guys already are out there hammering on various forums. Cooperation makes everyone all around more effective. This would mean sharing, in clear terms the relevant data and commentary needed to respond- without turning it all into a battle, or bragging who is better than whom.
It could be pdfs, it could be scholars harvested from GoogleBooks, it could be other things. It need not be "battle" subjects but also in-depth joint exploration projects. What about all the data locked up in non-English sources? A translating mechanism or access can open up whole new pipelines. Tactical collaboration in other words can be a "frenemies" type deal, or a "popular front" approach. Some may say why bother? We already have open source access at Academia.edu, and assorted content can be harvested on the web, even from sites like Dinekes. A solid base of data is already in place, easily accessed, and XYZ is pulling original studies. Who needs any "harambee" spirit? Well, just saying that at times, it is easier if groups in the "popular front" work together rather than apart, or against each other. Our opponents are doing the same- they have their factions, but cooperate tactically, and of course, are united by an overriding anti-African animus.
As regards the broader area of Critical African Studies, I have not been involved so much at this aspect, but some comments:
--African-centered view in terms of getting a more balanced picture within good evidence and data. African centered does not mean a particular "all Africa" or "all black" dogma, but critical examination of all too common narratives and assumptions that dominate the zone, and the development of better, more balanced perspectives. Yes this may mean disavowing extreme claims and interpretations- making some people unhappy.
--Big tent politics and religion. "African centered" in some venues means a particular religious or political stance, or you are not "real" or "down." Some have argued for example that unless you hold to a Marxist flavored nationalism, or an "All African" indigenous religion/ideology then you are beyond the pale. But there is plenty of room for all shades- Republican, Democrat, Christian, Muslim, Yoruba, atheist whatever. No one has to give up their core beliefs. Science can work in tandem with those. In the Bible for example most "black" persons named, in the visible modern sense, is from the Sudan or Egypt- Tirhaqa, Zerah the commander of the host that invaded Palestine (some say he was Pharaoh Orsokon), the Ethiopian under his Candace in the Book of Acts -one of the first non-Jewish converts to Christianity, and of course, Moses links many under the family of "Mizraim" or Egypt, including they that "handle the bow." Modern data has confirmed many of these Biblical African connections. Several strands can work together, at various levels.
Levels are separated, and one such is the focus on that more balanced, positive picture for Africa and Africans. This does not require a particular politics or religion. Conservative types like Thomas Sowell for example have plenty of data that destroy pretentious "biodiversity" arguments. Left wing atheists do likewise. Fiery preacher and militant mullah can find common ground against a common enemy. Now at another level yes of course there are always conflicts-. "Middle East" politics for instance, and so on. But at the key levels, focused on that positive, balanced picture, the tent is big enough for all to contribute to a common understanding, or a common umbrella, tensions and all.
--More perspectives and info from the NOn English speaking world
--"Internal" restructuring and strengthening. This means a more disciplined approach in general, greater emphasis on working together, greater emphasis on holding down negativity. Yes I know, give a practical example. OK, take a look at the old "Afrocentric pledge" below from the early 1990s that students were supposed to take. It is not circulated much. Opponents preferred to attack other things. But note the emphasis on discipline and hard work for youth- responsibility- follow through.
In many black venues, a vision such as this would be laughed away as hopelessly utopian. But this was the reality in many old line black schools in the days of segregation. Integration in its rushed, malicious, unrealistic forms destroyed some of this. Afrikan studies has to find a way to tie into the need for internal rebuilding and strengthening. How many unproductive, lowest common denominator "saggers" we got to put up with? Let's be frank- this is nothing new. Some of the harshest critics of this internal disorganization from Elijah Muhamed, to Marcus Garvey, to King, to Asa Hilliard have said similar things. If black kids did half the stuff on that list things would be very different.. Practical programming translation? Afterschool programs, day schools, independent schools, Asian style tutoring centers working alongside the public schools, etc. I see big name cats dropping 100K on a "stripper" party but can't shell out a dime for things like this. If Afrikan studies turns out to be just a few academics and activists holding conferences and taking to (or past) each other, then it is not really contributing anything towards this urgent internal strengthening task.
--The connections between the Nile basin and Saharan peoples and other regions from cultural, to DNA to trade flows. The Nile basin extends all the way to the West Coast. Would like to see the connections and linkages, including continued studies into the cultural unity of the Nile Valley peoples and on into the Sahara and East Africa, and beyond.
--Modern Africa, and PRACTICAL models of development, which do not necessarily mean slavishly following Euro models. At one time Marxist models were the rage in Africa- they haven't worked too well. Nation states have their problems- regional groupings might help. But is copying the bureaucratic Euro super-state the best approach? If there are problems with corruption etc now at national levels, how will adding yet ANOTHER layer of grasping bureaucratic hands be better? ANd what of all the overhead? Bill Gates reportedly was in Africa for a conference on expanding internet infrastructure and threw up his hands and said: "Yeah we can talk about Internet infrastructure, but right outside the door there are thousands who don't even have access to clean running water or reliable vaccines." In other words, how much of the cash and resources will hit the street to help the common man compared to the bankstas and bureaucrats, politicians and "connected" NGO cronies? And so on..
[b]TUKLER's TAKE If you had to say list 5-6 bullet points o future forum direction what would they be? Anyone else? 1. manners 2. colleague-ship 3. hardcore but w/breakdowns -- readers must ask their clarifications and expansions 4. encourage newbie posts 5. continue Egyptology African&Black Studies and informative disciplines 6. include more "soft" topics as on AE but without the hostilities
And if you had to list 5-6 points on future research directions for Critical Afrikan studies what would they be? Anyone else? 1. Tinbukt's manuscript libraries 2. corpora of oral & tradition based studies 3. worldwide diaspora connections: EarlyBronze to present 4. worldwide diaspora connections: biographies 5. late Pleistocene - mid Holocene genetics anthro and archaeo 6. relation of politics exportables and trade: 10th C to present =============================== ==========================
Posts: 5905 | From: The Hammer | Registered: Aug 2008
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posted
So no one but Mr. Cardova has any kind of a vision of direction for this forum?
I'm not looking for agreement or dovetailing of my answers but completing the blanks with original ideas please.
Posts: 8675 | From: Tukuler al~Takruri as Ardo since OCT2014 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Please do not post anything if you aren't going to answer those two questions.
Anything else is just distraction that detracts the topic and shows inattentiveness or inability to comprehend this thread's stated purpose or even worse, a total lack of vision combined with a need to babble.
Posts: 8675 | From: Tukuler al~Takruri as Ardo since OCT2014 | Registered: Feb 2003
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