She Acac https://www.ashecac.org/ African Diaspora Blog Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:43:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2 https://www.ashecac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-woman-g0aa577923_640-32x32.png She Acac https://www.ashecac.org/ 32 32 The Most Popular Vehicles in the African American Community https://www.ashecac.org/the-most-popular-vehicles-in-the-african-american-community/ Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:42:44 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=137 The American automobile market is a diverse landscape, offering a wide array of options to cater to various tastes, needs, and preferences. When it comes…

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The American automobile market is a diverse landscape, offering a wide array of options to cater to various tastes, needs, and preferences. When it comes to selecting a vehicle, individuals and families within the African American community have unique criteria that shape their choices. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into some of the most sought-after vehicles within this community, with a particular focus on one standout model, the Toyota Tundra. These vehicles have earned their popularity through a blend of reliability, performance, style, and practicality.

Toyota Camry: A Timeless Favorite


The Toyota Camry has consistently ranked among the top choices for car buyers within the African American community. Renowned for its reliability, affordability, and fuel efficiency, the Camry has become a trusted companion for many. Its sleek design, comfortable interior, and advanced safety features make it an attractive option for individuals and families seeking a dependable and stylish sedan.

One of the key factors contributing to the Camry’s popularity is its strong resale value, which resonates with buyers looking for a vehicle that stands the test of time. Toyota’s reputation for durability further enhances the Camry’s appeal, making it a timeless favorite.

Honda Accord: A Blend of Reliability and Versatility


The Honda Accord is another staple in the African American car market. Praised for its combination of reliability and performance, the Accord is known for its longevity and strong resale value, making it a solid choice for buyers who prioritize the financial aspect of car ownership.

The Accord’s popularity also stems from its versatility. With various trim levels and options available, it caters to a broad range of preferences and budgets. Whether one seeks a practical daily driver or a more luxurious experience, the Accord offers choices to accommodate different needs.

Chevrolet Impala: An Icon of American Motoring


The Chevrolet Impala has earned its place as an iconic American car with enduring appeal, transcending specific communities. Known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride, the Impala combines style with practicality. Its smooth handling and classic yet modern aesthetic make it a popular choice for those who appreciate timeless design.

The Impala’s reputation as a symbol of American motoring heritage resonates with many buyers who value tradition and history in their choice of vehicle.

Ford Mustang: The Symbol of Freedom and Style


The Ford Mustang, an icon of American muscle and style, holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts, including those within the African American community. With its powerful performance and timeless design, the Mustang attracts those seeking an exhilarating driving experience. Its legacy as a symbol of freedom and individuality aligns with the values of many buyers, making it a top choice for those who crave a thrilling ride.

While the Mustang is celebrated for its performance, it also offers a range of modern amenities and technology, catering to those who seek a balance between power and convenience.

Nissan Altima: Affordable and Efficient


The Nissan Altima has steadily gained popularity among car buyers, including those within the African American community, thanks to its reputation for affordability, fuel efficiency, and a comfortable interior. The Altima is a practical choice for individuals and families seeking a well-rounded sedan that fits their budget.

In addition to its practical attributes, the Altima features a sleek exterior design and advanced technology features that enhance its appeal. Its value proposition and modern amenities make it a contender in the midsize sedan segment.

Toyota Tundra: The Standout Pick


The Toyota Tundra, a full-size pickup truck, has garnered recognition and popularity among car buyers within the African American community and beyond. This vehicle stands out for several compelling reasons:

Performance: The Tundra boasts a powerful V8 engine that delivers ample horsepower and torque, making it suitable for a variety of tasks, from hauling heavy loads to tackling off-road terrain. Buyers who appreciate a vehicle that can handle tough jobs have found the Tundra to be an appealing choice. This truck has a lot of upgrade options: suspension lift, exhaust system, light tuning, and installing a tundra tonneau cover.

Durability: Toyota’s reputation for building durable vehicles extends to the Tundra, which is designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a dependable option for long-term ownership.

Style: The Tundra’s bold and robust design is a departure from traditional full-size pickup trucks. Its modern and rugged aesthetic has resonated with many buyers who seek both functionality and style in their vehicles.

Resale Value: Similar to other Toyota models, the Tundra holds its value well over time. Buyers who view their trucks as investments appreciate the Tundra’s strong resale value.

Versatility: The Tundra offers a range of configurations, from spacious crew cabs to rugged off-road models, allowing buyers to tailor the truck to their specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In the vast and diverse world of American car preferences, individuals and families within the African American community have their unique tastes and priorities when selecting a vehicle. While the six car models discussed in this guide have gained popularity among a wide range of buyers, it’s essential to recognize that personal taste, lifestyle, and budget significantly influence the choice of a vehicle.

The automobile industry continues to evolve, providing a rich array of options that cater to different needs and desires. Car buyers within the African American community, like those across the nation, have access to a wealth of vehicles, each representing their individual style, values, and aspirations. Whether practical sedans, iconic sports cars, versatile SUVs, or rugged trucks like the Toyota Tundra, the options are as diverse as the community itself, allowing for personal expression and the fulfillment of unique automotive dreams. Ultimately, the popularity of these vehicles reflects the multifaceted preferences of buyers within the African American community, showcasing their unique tastes in the automotive world.

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The African Diaspora in Arts and Culture: A Vibrant Tapestry of Creativity and Identity https://www.ashecac.org/the-african-diaspora-in-arts-and-culture-a-vibrant-tapestry-of-creativity-and-identity/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:33:56 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=124 The African diaspora is a profound and dynamic force that has shaped the arts and culture landscape across the globe. From the painful chapters of…

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The African diaspora is a profound and dynamic force that has shaped the arts and culture landscape across the globe. From the painful chapters of slavery and colonialism to the present-day celebration of resilience and creativity, the journey of Africans and their descendants has been a remarkable tapestry of cultural expression. This article explores the diverse and influential contributions of the African diaspora in arts and culture, highlighting the fusion of traditions, the preservation of heritage, and the profound impact on shaping the world’s artistic heritage.

Preserving Heritage and Expressing Identity

Throughout history, the African diaspora has sought to preserve its rich cultural heritage and express its unique identity through various artistic forms. Despite facing centuries of oppression and displacement, the arts have been a powerful means of preserving traditions and forging new paths for future generations.

Visual Arts: A Mirror of Heritage and Struggle

The visual arts have been instrumental in capturing the essence of the African diaspora’s history and struggles. From the powerful paintings of African American artist Jacob Lawrence, depicting the Great Migration, to the thought-provoking sculptures of British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, exploring themes of identity and colonialism, the visual arts have become a canvas for expressing the complex realities of the diaspora.

Music: Rhythms of Resilience and Joy

Music has been the heartbeat of the African diaspora, serving as a conduit for storytelling, resistance, and celebration. The blues and gospel of the African American experience, the reggae beats of Jamaica, and the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat all bear witness to the resilience and enduring spirit of the diaspora. Musical pioneers like Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley, and Duke Ellington have become global icons, uniting people across continents through the power of their music.

Dance: A Celebration of Cultural Fusion

African diaspora dance forms carry the essence of ancestral traditions while embracing contemporary influences. From the acrobatic movements of Capoeira in Brazil, which blends African rhythms with martial arts, to the exuberant Caribbean carnival dances, these art forms celebrate cultural fusion and the spirit of togetherness.

Literature: Voices that Echo Through Time

African diaspora literature stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people. From the seminal works of W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes during the Harlem Renaissance to the poignant narratives of contemporary writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Ta-Nehisi Coates, these literary voices have been instrumental in shaping social consciousness and reclaiming the narrative of the diaspora.

Cultural Exchange and Global Influence

The African diaspora’s cultural influence has transcended geographical boundaries, infusing global arts and culture with its essence. The fusion of African diaspora elements with mainstream culture has enriched the artistic landscape, inspiring new trends and perspectives.

Fashion: From Tradition to Runway

African diaspora fashion has emerged as a potent force, showcasing vibrant prints, bold colors, and intricate designs. From traditional African textiles like kente and Ankara making their way onto international runways to the rise of Afrofuturistic fashion, the diaspora’s sartorial contributions continue to captivate and inspire fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

Film and Television: Unveiling Untold Narratives

The African diaspora’s impact on film and television is undeniable, with directors and actors breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. Films like “Black Panther,” directed by Ryan Coogler, not only shattered box office records but also reshaped perceptions of African culture and identity on the global stage.

Conclusion

The African diaspora’s profound influence on arts and culture is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of its people. Through visual arts, music, dance, literature, fashion, film, and television, the diaspora has preserved its heritage while contributing to the global artistic tapestry. The fusion of African diaspora elements with mainstream culture has sparked a new appreciation for diversity and creativity, transcending borders and inspiring future generations.

As we continue to celebrate the achievements of the African diaspora in arts and culture, let us recognize the significance of these contributions in fostering understanding, empathy, and unity among people from all walks of life. The stories, traditions, and expressions of the African diaspora serve as a profound reminder of the strength that lies in embracing one’s identity and heritage while forging a path towards a more inclusive and interconnected world.

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North America https://www.ashecac.org/north-america/ Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:52:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=70 Map of U.S. counties with majority black populations: Although the African American population remains predominantly in the South, the Great Migration spawned several black populations in Chicago

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Map of U.S. counties with majority black populations: Although the African American population remains predominantly in the South, the Great Migration spawned several black populations in Chicago, Detroit, Harlem, Indianapolis, Oakland, and Washington, D.C.

Several waves of migration to the Americas, as well as migrations within the Americas, brought people of African descent to North America. According to the Schomburg Center for the Study of Black Culture. Schomburg, the first African peoples came to North America in the 16th century through Mexico and the Caribbean to the Spanish colonies of Florida, Texas, and other parts of the South. Of the 12 million people from Africa who were sent to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, 645,000 were sent to the British colonies in mainland North America and to the United States. The fortunes. In 2000, African Americans made up 12.1 percent of the total U.S. population, constituting the largest racial minority group. The African American population is concentrated in the southern states and urban areas.

In the formation of the African diaspora, the transatlantic slave trade is often seen as a defining element, but people of African descent participated in eleven other migratory movements involving North America since the 16th century, many of which were voluntary, although undertaken in an aggressive and exploitative environment.

In the 1860s, people from sub-Saharan Africa, mostly from West Africa and the Cape Verde Islands, began arriving in a wave of voluntary immigration in search of work as whalers in Massachusetts. This migration continued until restrictive laws were passed in 1921, which effectively closed the door to non-Europeans. By then men of African descent were already a majority in the New England whaling industry, and African Americans worked as sailors, blacksmiths, shipbuilders, officers, and owners. The internationalism of the whaling crews, including the character of Dugga, the African harpooner, is recorded in the 1851 novel Moby-Dick. Eventually they moved to California.

Today, 1.7 million people in the United States are descendants of voluntary immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, most of whom arrived in the late twentieth century. African immigrants make up 6 percent of all immigrants to the United States and nearly 5 percent of the African-American community nationwide. About 57 percent immigrated between 1990 and 2000. African-born immigrants make up 1.6 percent of the black population. Members of the African immigrant diaspora are the most educated group in the United States, with 50 percent holding a bachelor’s degree or degree, compared to 23 percent of Native Americans. The largest African immigrant communities in the United States are in New York City, followed by California, Texas, and Maryland.

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Migration to the United States https://www.ashecac.org/migration-to-the-united-states/ Sun, 12 Mar 2023 14:54:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=73 Black immigrants from Africa have a much higher level of education, and Afro-Caribbean immigrants have a higher socioeconomic status than Black Americans in general.

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Black immigrants from Africa have a much higher level of education, and Afro-Caribbean immigrants have a higher socioeconomic status than Black Americans in general. 13 This, therefore, increases the fluidity of “blackness,” emphasizing the diverse experiences of the black African diaspora in the United States. However, again, because they are likely to be identified as black, these immigrants – especially among first-generation immigrants – engage in strategies to maintain an identity that distinguishes them from black Americans. Mary K. Waters’ landmark study of West Indian immigrants shows that for them, becoming American means becoming African American, which these immigrants equate with a lower social status than they already have. This clearly contradicts theories of assimilation.

By maintaining their accent, identifying themselves as foreigners first, resisting racism, etc.

These immigrants try to maintain their identity as foreigners to make sure they are not assimilated with black Americans. 14They are trying to “come out” of the darkness (ibid.151). Moreover, while more than three-quarters (77%) of all foreign-born blacks and Americans consider themselves a distinct racial group, only 1/3 (36%) believe that all members of the black/African diaspora work together toward a common goal. However, second-generation immigrants are much less likely to fight the African-American identity that is imposed on them. If they do not actively resist social and institutionalized racial identity, they tend to move down the social ladder because of their association with blacks. Those who resist have so far only been able to change the racial order on an individual level by “leapfrogging” black Americans as a group.

Confronting the American racial order is a daunting task, and second-generation immigrants are inevitably absorbed into it as a group; only individuals may have engaged in acts of resistance, but they have not been able to disrupt the racial order for the group. Even if acts of resistance multiply, they are not transformative enough to eradicate associations with white and black on a personal, social, and structural level. This would mean that America remains black and white in desperation, and that the association – to any degree – of one person or group with exclusive blackness or inclusive whiteness still determines the life chances of that person or group. These acts of resistance are multiplying and also come from Asian and Latino populations,

Immigration trends over the past 40 years have indeed changed to the point where the non-Hispanic white population of the United States is declining at a rapid rate. It has been said that the United States is a nation that is “no longer black and white.”

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Central and South America https://www.ashecac.org/central-and-south-america/ Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:49:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=67 The racial makeup of the Dominican Republic includes many Afro-Caribbean, Métis, Taino descendants, and whites.

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The racial makeup of the Dominican Republic includes many Afro-Caribbean, Métis, Taino descendants, and whites.

At the intermediate level, in South America and on former plantations in and around the Indian Ocean, the descendants of enslaved people are a little harder to define because many people are mixed in demographic ratios with the original slave population. In places where relatively few slaves were imported (e.g., Chile ), few, if any, are considered “black” today. In places where many enslaved people were imported (such as Brazil or the Dominican Republic ), the number is higher, although most identify themselves as of mixed rather than strictly African descent.

After the Americas, Brazil has the largest number of black diasporas outside of Africa. However, in places like Brazil and the Dominican Republic, blackness is more taboo than in, say, the United States. Trey Ellis’s idea of the Cultural Mulatto comes into play because there are blurred lines between what is considered black.

In Colombia, African slaves were first brought to work in the gold mines of the department of Antioquia. After this ceased to be a lucrative business, these slaves slowly moved to the Pacific Coast, where they did not mix with the white or Indian population until today. The entire department of Choco remains a black area. Mixing with the white population occurred mostly on the Caribbean coast, which is still a mestizo area. There was also a large mix in the southwestern departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. In these Métis areas the African culture had a great influence.

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Eurasia, Indian and Pacific Oceans https://www.ashecac.org/eurasia-indian-and-pacific-oceans/ Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:43:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=63 Afro-Turks are people of Zange (Bantu) origin in Turkey. Like the Afro-Abkhaz, they trace their origins to the Ottoman slave trade.

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Turkey
Afro-Turks are people of Zange (Bantu) origin in Turkey. Like the Afro-Abkhaz, they trace their origins to the Ottoman slave trade. Beginning several centuries ago, a number of Africans, usually through Zanzibar as Zanj and from places such as Niger, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Kenya and Sudan entered the Ottoman Empire, populated by Dalaman, Menderes and the Gediz, Manavgat and Çukurova valleys. African quarters of 19th century Izmir, including Sabirtasi, Dolapkaya, Tamashalik, Ikicheshmelik and Ballikaya, are mentioned in modern records.

There are a number of communities in South Asia that descended from African slaves, traders, or soldiers. These communities are the Siddi, the Shedi, the Makrani, and the Sri Lankan Kafras. In some cases they became very famous, such as Jamal-ud-Din Yakut, Hoshu Shidi, or the rulers of the state of Janjira. The Mauritian Creoles are the descendants of African slaves like those living in the Americas.

Some Pan-Africanists also consider other peoples to be diasporic African peoples. These groups include, among others, the Negroes, such as in the case of the peoples of the Malay Peninsula (Orang Asli ); New Guinea (Papuans); the Andamans ; some peoples of the Indian subcontinent and the aboriginal peoples of Melanesia and Micronesia. Most of these claims are dismissed by mainstream ethnologists as pseudo-science and pseudo-anthropology as part of an ideologically motivated Afrocentric irredentism promoted primarily among some extremist elements in the United States who have no thought for the dominant African American community. Mainstream anthropologists determine that the Andaman and others are part of a network of authoritarian ethnic groups present in South Asia that trace their genetic lineage back to a migration sequence that ended with the emergence of Australian Aborigines, not directly from Africa. Genetic testing has shown that the Andamanese belong to the Y-chromosome haplogroup D-M174, which is shared with the Australian Aborigines and the Ainu from Japan, not the true African diaspora.

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Europe https://www.ashecac.org/europe/ Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:28:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=60 Some European countries prohibit the collection of census demographic information based on ethnicity or origin (France, for example)

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Some European countries prohibit the collection of census demographic information based on ethnicity or origin (France, for example), but some others request information based on race (Britain, for example). Of the 42 countries surveyed by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance in 2007, 29 were found to collect official statistics on country of birth, 37 on citizenship, 24 on religion, 26 on language, six on parents’ country of birth and 22 on nationality or ethnicity.

United Kingdom
About 2 million people identify themselves as Black Britons (not including mixed Britons ), among whom are Afro-Caribbeans. They live mostly in urban areas of England.

France
There are an estimated 2 to 3 million people of African descent, although a quarter of the Afro-French population lives in the overseas territories. This number is difficult to estimate because the French census does not use race as a category for ideological reasons.

The Netherlands
It is estimated that about 500,000 black and Dutch people live in the Netherlands. Antilles. They live mainly on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten, the latter of which is also partly controlled by the French. Many Afro-Dutch people live in the Netherlands.

Germany
As of 2005, there were about 500,000 Afro-Germans (not including those of mixed ethnic origin). This number is difficult to estimate because the German census does not use race as a category.

Spain
As of 2016, there were 1,045,120 Africans living in Africa. They live mostly in the regions of Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid and the Canary Islands.

Abkhazia
Some blacks of unknown origin once inhabited southern Abkhazia ; today they have assimilated with the Abkhazian population.

Romania
About 145,600 people of African descent live in Romania.

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Caribbean https://www.ashecac.org/caribbean/ Fri, 09 Sep 2022 14:15:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=57 Haiti has the largest Afro-Caribbean population (nearly 11 million) and also has the highest percentage of its population originating from the African diaspora (95%).

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Haiti has the largest Afro-Caribbean population (nearly 11 million) and also has the highest percentage of its population originating from the African diaspora (95%).

The archipelagos and islands of the Caribbean Sea were the first places of settlement of Africans in the western Atlantic in the post-Columbian era. In particular, Pedro Alonso Niño, a black Spanish navigator, piloted one of Columbus’ ships in 1492. He returned in 1499, but did not settle. In the early 16th century more and more Africans became part of the population of the Spanish Caribbean colonies, sometimes as freedmen, but more often as slaves and laborers. The demand for African labor increased in the Caribbean because of the mass deaths of the Taino and other indigenous peoples, mainly as a result of Eurasian infectious diseases to which they had no immunity, as well as conflict with the Spanish and harsh working conditions. By the mid-16th century, the slave trade from Africa to the Caribbean was so lucrative that Englishmen Francis Drake and John Hawkins engaged in piracy and broke Spanish colonial laws to forcibly transport some 1,500 enslaved people from Sierra Leone to Española (Haiti and the Dominican Republic ).

During the 17th and 18th centuries, European colonialism in the Caribbean relied increasingly on plantation slavery, so that by the end of the 18th century Afro-Caribbean enslaved people outnumbered their European masters on many islands. A total of 1,840,000 slaves arrived in other British colonies, mainly in the West Indies of the Caribbean.

Beginning in the late 18th century, harsh conditions, constant inter-imperial wars, and a growing number of people of rights goals led to the Haitian Revolution in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, led by Toussaint L’Ouverture and Jean Jacques Dessalines. In 1804 Haiti, with an overwhelming majority of black slaves and leadership, became the second nation in America to achieve independence from the European state and establish a republic. Continuous waves of rebellions, such as the Baptist War led by Sam Sharpe in Jamaica, set the stage for the gradual abolition of slavery in the region, with Great Britain abolishing it in 1838. Cuba (under the Spanish crown) was the last island to free its slaves.

During the 20th century, Afro-Caribbeans began to assert their cultural, economic, and political rights on the world stage. Jamaican Marcus Garvey formed the UNIA movement in the United States, continuing the Aimé Césaire Negritude movement, which sought to create a pan-Africanist movement along national lines. Beginning in the 1960s, the former slave population of the Caribbean began to gain independence from British colonial rule. They were pioneers in the creation of new cultural forms such as calypso, reggae music and Rastafarianism in the Caribbean.

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African Diaspora and Modernity https://www.ashecac.org/african-diaspora-and-modernity/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:41:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=41 In recent decades, studies of the African diaspora have shown an interest in the role that blacks have played in creating modernity.

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In recent decades, studies of the African diaspora have shown an interest in the role that blacks have played in creating modernity. This trend also runs counter to the traditional Eurocentric perspective that has dominated history books, showing Africans and their diasporas as primitive victims of slavery, devoid of historical power. According to historian Patrick Manning, blacks toiled at the center of the forces that created the modern world. Paul Gilroy describes the suppression of blackness at the expense of imagined and created ideals of nations as “cultural insiderism. Cultural insiderism is used by nations to separate deserving and undeserving groups and requires a “sense of ethnic difference,” as mentioned in his book Black Atlantic. Acknowledging their contributions provides a comprehensive view of world history.

The late cultural and political theorist Richard Eaton proposed to understand diaspora as a “culture of dislocation. According to Eaton, the traditional approach to the African diaspora focuses on the ruptures associated with the Atlantic slave trade and the Middle Passage, notions of dispersal and the “cycle of African preservation, redemption, abandonment and restoration. According to Eaton, diaspora analysis is dangerous because it assumes that the diaspora exists outside Africa, thus simultaneously denying and desiring Africa.

Citizenship of the Diaspora.
In chapter eight of her book Rihanna Barbados World GURL in Global Popular Culture, Heather Russell describes diasporic citizenship as an identity where you “simultaneously negotiate civic responsibility, public discourse, nostalgia, statehood, belonging and migration, transnational cultural belonging and shifting / object fluid positioning across material and symbolic borders. Musical artists are the main figures to be evaluated with this theory, as they demand to bring them public discourse and their music to bring cultural belonging. Thus, for musicians who have achieved this level of transnational fame and musical production, they must balance their relationship to their identity and their home with the transnational population with which they interact through their music, performance, and public image.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a global superstar whose music transcends national boundaries and, as such, is an ideal case for diaspora citizens. She is one of the few black women to achieve this level of global success and gain diaspora citizenship, which forces her to balance her identity with her relationship to her diverse audience.

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Research on the African diaspora https://www.ashecac.org/research-on-the-african-diaspora/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:49:00 +0000 https://www.ashecac.org/?p=31 There are many contemporary or "modern" examples of African diaspora communities, and it is here that the organic nature of the theory can be tested.

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There are many contemporary or “modern” examples of African diaspora communities, and it is here that the organic nature of the theory can be tested. Today, the African diaspora framework is an evolving field of study with polyvalence and many new theories. African Americans, Black Russians, Afro-Brazilians, and Black Irish are just a few of the diasporic groups that scholars are studying today. They find resonance with African diaspora theory to explain these contemporary communities. Whether one is studying slavery, emancipation, black military life, black politics, social institutions, philosophy, or the arts and literature of the African diaspora, the scholar must take a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach.

Further, we must focus on sources from different geographical regions, which is a key requirement of diaspora studies. We must be able to look at black life in two or more places and analyze the systems side by side, using the framework of African diaspora theory: dispersal/migration, germination, and community of consciousness. Theorizing about the contemporary African diaspora will be enhanced if we conduct research using these methodologies.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, scholars have used the African diaspora framework to explain the lives of black people around the world. Although they come from different disciplines and ideologies, all of these diaspora scholars call for an understanding of black life as inextricably linked to the brutality of slavery, a global enterprise. If we recognize slavery as a dispersal/sprouting point that is a necessary condition for the black community in the diaspora, then we are on the first platform for diaspora studies. From this platform, scholars need to engage in interdisciplinary research as they talk about the communities of consciousness that diasporas continue to express.

There is evidence that African diaspora theory works when comparing systems of slavery, and there is growing evidence today that these tools work to reveal continuities and divergences between contemporary black diasporas. Theorizing about the African diaspora helps us understand history and literature in more detail. As we continue this line of research around the world, new theories of diaspora will sprout in the academy and take root in scholarly works. Scholars, go to the field and archives and conduct your research using this multivalent theory. There’s a lot of work to be done!

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