Comments on John Henrik Clarke Video

 

By

Halford H. Fairchild

February 28, 2008

 

  1. A quick and obvious point is that we, in African American psychology, find history crucially important.  Thus, historian Clarke addresses issues that are important from a psychological perspective.  Traditional psychology, in contrast, is ahistorical, analyzing issues only in the here-and-now.
  2. Africa is a world power, but is thought of as “less developed” or “developing” or “dependent.”  This raises the curious issue of an “inversion of reality” when it comes to understanding the world.  Far from being “dependent” on the West, we can see that the West is dependent upon the resources of Africa and other places south of the equator.
  3. Much of the brainwashing has to do with the deity.  I REALLY liked Clarke’s suggestion that the deity can be thought of as female.  It resonates with my notion that the deity IS female who gave “birth” to the universe (instead of the “Big Bang” metaphor that is male-centric).
  4. History is ancient when it ceases to be relevant; which is never.
  5. The issue is not “apartheid” (or racism), but the control of resources.
  6. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, by Walter Rodney, should be followed by a text, How Africa Developed Europe, by ???. 
  7. Clarke derides Africans for not making even a safety pin.  What about cars?  How is it that a resource poor nation like Japan can be the world leader in car manufacturing.  My dream:  for an African car!  The Cheetah (a sleek and nimble two-seater); The Rhino (a 6 passenger SUV)
  8. No African jails – reminds me of African herbs that forced folks to admit to wrong doing.  Take this drink, answer a question, and if you lie, you die.
  9. Like Asa, Clarke urges us to READ.
  10. Great propaganda feats in history:  That the European is a “man,” or a “brave man.”  This recalls how the U.S. shoots people in the back, an act of cowardice, for instance when the Taliban fled Kabul, or the Iraqis fled Kuwait (Highway of Death).  See the movie, Jarhead
  11. Cultural imperialism – as evidenced by religion (White angels, etc.)
  12. European will never live by Christianity or democracy; does not adhere to “thou shall not steal,” or “thou shall not kill.”
  13. Stolen wealth ought to be returned.
  14. Africa had great civilizations 1,000 years (and more) before European contact.
  15. All history is relevant.  History is a current event.  [Every moment is an historical moment.]
  16. Minority – just words?
  17. Destruction of self-confidence – a form of “jail” or what Maulana Bobby Wright would call, “Conceptual incarceration” (e.g., white Christ)

 

Ancient Kush rivaled Egypt

 

Echoes of John Henrik Clarke – history as important, and Africans as the architects of world civilization.  African history is longer than any other (indisputable).  The origins of civilization, among BLACK Africans, is indisputable.  Gold processing in 2500 BC….

 

 

 

 

Comments on Residential Mobility

 

This piece is fairly old, now, although the issues haven’t changed that much.  It reflects the multi-disciplinarity of Black psychologists’ interests.  It argues that “free will” is a myth, that much of the life circumstances of African people have been forced or constrained.

 

Comments on A Sad Tale

 

Notes the problems of minority-minority relations, and how geography is implicated.  “A disturbing and enduring lack of fundamental respect for African-Americans connects the beating of Rodney G. King by the LAPD and the murder of Latasha Harlins.”  And connects to the Clarke lecture.

 

Comments on Drip by Drip

 

Notes the importance of neighborhoods, and geographic isolation.  The legacy of Jim Crow and residential segregation.