Abolition, Resistance And The Black Radical Tradition

African American Studies is a very complex subject. To confuse African American studies with black history is a common occurrence. African American studies is much deeper and more profound than just Black history alone. There are many unanswered and unasked questions among the Black American culture which causes confusion and misunderstanding in modern day society. In unit one there were many themes, concepts, and significant issues in the discipline of Africana studies. Both W.E.B Du Bois and Vivian V. Gordan touched on many concerns.

“The Black Studies Program: Strategy and Structure” was published Fall of 1972 in The Jounal of Negro Education. It’s contents are a relection on the years before when colleges and universitys were allowing African Americans to attend , but did not provide curriculum about or for African Americans.

     It was a glorious April 4th evening as Martin Luther King and hundreds of followers were gathering for a civil rights march. Many cheered on as the civil rights leader graciously out step on the second floor balcony of the Motel Lorraine. Roaring cheers rose from the crowd rose up as Martin Luther King stand there waving his arm with his heart warming smile waiting for the uprising taper off so he can continue with his speech. When suddenly a piercing blast broke the noise and the crowd’s cheerful spirit died. A cold chill went through all who were present fore in the back of their minds there was no doubt that their King had just been

The aspect of African-American Studies is key to the lives of African-Americans and those involved with the welfare of the race. African-American Studies is the systematic and critical study of the multidimensional aspects of Black thought and practice in their current and historical unfolding (Karenga, 21). African-American Studies exposes students to the experiences of African-American people and others of African descent. It allows the promotion and sharing of the African-American culture. However, the concept of African-American Studies, like many other studies that focus on a specific group, gender, and/or creed, poses problems. Therefore, African-American Studies must overcome the obstacles in order to

As I listened to Martin Luther King, Jr. speak I was in awe. Of course I have heard about the most famous “I Have a Dream” speech, yet surprisingly I never once fully listened to it, till now. I knew that this speech was powerful, from others who have heard it before. Yet it was on another level, listening to it for myself. I was amazed in every way, and I must admit, it had me tearing up once I finished listening.

As I sit in the auditorium, at a diversity conference, surrounded by other African Americans, something tells me that I am right where I need to be. I didn’t realize it at the moment, but this was a life changing experience for me. I was able to surround myself with others of similar backgrounds, have a deeper understanding of the term “black excellence”, and share some of my struggles with others around the nation who have dealt with the same issues. This conference, as a whole, allowed me to be more comfortable with who I am as an African American woman in today’s society.

also the value of non-violent resistance supported by the transcendentalists and, There were many prominent figures in the Abolition movement that made great strides to freedom. Most took the route of political campaigning, but a few decided to take a more direct approach. One said individual is John Brown. John Brown was a white abolitionist born in Connecticut who simply grew tired of the pacifist approach and took up arms with a few volunteers against slavery.

The famous Garden State with its rich and varied heritage and agriculture is today home of the Liberty State Park. From there one has a good view of Liberty Island, the location of the Statue of Liberty, symbol of freedom and everything America represents to the rest of the world. New Jersey, described as a place, where slaves live yet it is supposedly a place of copious opportunities. Therefore, the role of America, especially the role of New Jersey, is not only controversial but also relatively intricate. Although New Jersey is a source of the early abolitionist movement, slavery was profound in the colonial society, which resulted in a high potential combative whether it should be abolished or not. , Slavery’s complexity in America, can be best depicted through the northern state, New Jersey, as exemplified in James Gigantino’s book The Ragged Road to Abolition. New Jersey’s unique geographical position, dependence on agriculture, and a fear of black freedom after the American Revolution were factors that hindered an abolitionist movement in the state.

The word abolitionist has lingered since the late 1800’s. Due to the fact that people wanted slavery gone and they wanted that immediately. But the word abolitionist isn’t just for the American Civil War it was made to hold the meaning of the act of abolition. Now what abolition means is to get rid of or destroy which is what they did to slavery after the Union won the civil war. Now what is an abolitionist was back in the 1800’s they were people who did their best to support the Union and fought slavery on their own accord whether it be speeches or protests, they did what they could to get rid of slavery.

After the American Revolution, numerous amounts of slaves were freed and began to express their indignation towards slavery and racial discrimination. Abolitionists believed that slavery was immoral and illegal and supported these ideas with the two most important laws at that time, the Bible and the Constitution. Although the ideals between abolitionists were similar, their means of bringing slavery to an end were completely different. The late 1830’s brought the distinction of tactics between radical and conservative abolitionists. Conservatives strove for a gradual abolition of slavery while radicals advocated the immediate emancipation. While both radicals and conservatives fought for the abolition, radicals such as David Walker enforced the use violence if necessary, while conservatives such as Frederick Douglass turned to politics as a weapon against slavery. As a result, Walker’s Appeal was more effective towards the abolition movement than Douglass was due to its strong, radical, and revolutionary tone that caused the abolition movement to take a more radical direction.

The Declaration of Independence gave us the famous words: “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” James Russell Lowell was a staunch believer that this famous phrase referred to all men, including slaves. Lowell held the opinion that it was the inborn right of all men to be free and that God created all human beings with the same natural rights. The poems “The Present Crisis,” “On the Capture of Fugitive Slaves Near Washington,” and “Ode Recited At the Harvard Commemoration” combined moral and religious beliefs and arguments to make a political statement about the abolition of slavery.

In consequence, Wilson had presented the Constitution’s adversaries with a single organizing argument. Federalists were able to introduce a point that the new structure of government would improve the wrongdoings of the Confederation. The most crucial argument that could be aimed against them was that they were a group attempting to form an aristocracy. Wilson by rejecting apprehension for a bill of rights gave the impression of depicting it as unnecessary. His appeal appeared as Pennsylvania began discussing the issues connected with Constitution, in other states the proceedings started with an open dialogue in the legislature, and that resulted in public debates in state conventions. American newspapers were full of articles written by both advocates and adversaries of the United States Constitution.

The mission of the students around the country who fought for an education that would shed light on African Americans. The progress the students created is seen today in American Universities ,and also HBCUs, where (AAS)African American Studies is implemented into the curriculum. Before, the dissection the formation of AAS, it should be noted that without the sacrifice from others I undoubtedly would not be writing about AAS ,or reflecting on the significance it has created for generations so far.

The final movement took place at San Francisco State College and was organized by the college’s Black Student Union in 1966. They demanded that Black Studies become a department offered at their school and they were dedicated to achieving it. After two years of strikes, demands, and negotiations the movement was successful and San Francisco State College became the first to offer a Black Studies Program and Department. (Karenga)

Introduction to African American Studies was the class that I decided to take this summer because I am genuinely interested in learning more about the cultures and lifestyles of African Americans through out history and I want to further my knowledge beyond just learning about what was taught to me in secondary school. I do not know much about African American studies as I have not taken any courses on it or relating to it in the past but I hope that I can gain a lot of information on the topic through out this intellectual experience. I also hope to gain a better understanding of the history of Africans and African Americas and be able to dive deeper into this topic instead of just hitting the surface as I feel as though my previous experiences with this topic have covered. In just this first weeks lesson I have learned about the three great principles that characterize the “Black Intellectual Tradition” and how these three principles are used and perceived.