Postmodernist Diversions in African American Thought

Bibliographic Data

ID18969413
AuthorsDaryl B Harris (Howard University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume36
Issue2
Pages209-228
Publication date2005-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Black Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9347 • E-ISSN: 1552-4566
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0021934704266077
OpenAlexW2066311681
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited12

This article critically examines the postmodern Blackness phenomenon that seeks primacy in African American thought. Using an Afrocentric analytical approach centered on the axis of culture and history of African Americans, I argue that the postmodern Blackness phenomenon is an unfortunate and precarious turn away from relevance. In its disapproving attitude and stance on cultural identity and consciousness, the quintessential issues in political belonging and politics, postmodern Blackness behaves as an impediment in the African American quest for freedom. Among the political hazards wrought by postmodern Blackness are (a) incessant disunity among African descended peoples and (b) dependency on political actors external to the African American community who are well organized and purposeful in pursuit of their own interests. This analysis also explains that at its core, postmodernism is yet another way of expressing the individualistic ethos of the European worldview

Aesthetics · Consciousness · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Ethos · Identity (music) · Individualism · Phenomenon · Political science · Politics · Postmodernism · Sociology · African cultural and philosophical studies · Critical Race Theory in Education · Gender Studies · Law · Philosophy · Race, History, and American Society

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