The Eurocentric World History: Deconstructing the Constructed African History in the Age of Globalization (original) (raw)

2019, Kaduna Journal of Humanities -A Publication of the Department of History, Kaduna State University, Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty, corruption, bad leadership and violence among others have been identified as threats to the existence of the African race but none of these internal pathologies is more threatening than the Eurocentric construction of African history. While history gives a sense of belongingness, identity, belief and the historical processes needed to facilitate the productive capacity in a society as postulated by Karl Marx, African history has been maligned, denied, downplayed and to say the least, barbarically constructed through the machinations and neo-imperialistic grip of the world systems by the West, thereby weakening Africa’s indigenous knowledge and productive systems capable of facilitating its developmental aspirations. With little or no appreciable results recorded in Africa’s quest to deconstruct the western construction of its history, the deliberate denial of, and the barbaric construction of the African history by the West has negatively resulted in loss of faith in the historical uniqueness and productive capacity of Africa by the African people. This paper however concludes that the constant denigration and downplaying of African history by the West poses a greater threat to the continued existence of the African race than Africa’s domestic issues, and that unless conscious efforts are made to deconstruct the constructed African history by the West amongst its people, Africa’s development agenda may never see the light of the day. Keywords: Africa, African History, Constructed African History, Deconstructing the Eurocentric Construction of African History, Africa’s Development

Key takeaways

sparkles

AI

  1. The Eurocentric construction of African history undermines African identity and development more than internal challenges.
  2. Africa had developed complex political and economic systems independently before European contact, contrary to Eurocentric narratives.
  3. Globalization acts as a tool for perpetuating Eurocentric views, impacting Africa's historical and cultural perceptions.
  4. African governments must promote indigenous values and knowledge to counteract Eurocentric indoctrination in education and media.
  5. Collaborative efforts among governments, NGOs, and civil society are essential to reclaim and reconstruct African history and identity.

Loading...

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

References (16)

  1. Adu, B. (1987). African Perspectives on Colonialism. Maryland: John Hopkins University Press.
  2. Akbar, Na'im. -Afrocentricity: The Challenge of Implementation.‖ In Janice D. Hamlet Ed. Afrocentric Visions: Studies in Culture and Communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998a.
  3. Akbar, Na'im. Know thy Self. Tallahassee, FL: Mind Productions, 1998b.
  4. Asante, Molefi kete (1990). Kemet, Afrocentricity and Knowledge. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press.
  5. Asante, Molefi kete (2007). The History of Africa: The Quest for Eternal Harmony. New York: Routledge.
  6. Harris, N. (1998). -The Philosophical Basis for an Afrocentric Orientation.‖ In Janice D. Hamlet (Ed.), Afrocentric Visions: Studies in Culture and Communications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Pp. 15-25.
  7. Hayford, J.E.C. (1970). Gold Native Institutions. London: Frank Cass. Pp. 327-340.
  8. Madhuuti, H.R. and Safisha L. Madhubuti (1994). African-centered Education: Its Value, Importance, and Necessity in the Development of Black Children. Chicago: Third World Press.
  9. Muzrah, A. (2002). Africanity Redefined. Collected Essays of Ali, A. Muzrah, volume 1. Series Editor, Toyin Falola. Edited by Ricardo Rene Laremont and Tracia Leacock Seghatolislami. Trenton: Africa World Press.
  10. Ngugi wa Thiong'o (2009). Something Torn and New: An African Renaissance. New York: Basic Civitas Books.
  11. Pallinder-Law, A. (1974). -Aborted Modernization in West Africa‖. Journal of African History 15: 65-82.
  12. R.J. Barry Jones (1995). Globalization and Interdependence in the International Political Economy: Reality and Rhetoric. London and New York: Pinter.
  13. Rodney, W. (1972). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Washington, DC: Howard University Press.
  14. Traore, R.L. (2002). Implementing Afrocentricity. A Case Study of African and African American Students in an Urban High School in America. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
  15. Wilson, H.S. (1969). Origins of West African Nationalism. London: Macmillan.
  16. Winfried Ruigrok and Rob van Tulder (1995). The Logic of International Restructuring. London and New York: Routledge, 1995.