Framing Question 1

Ray Pyle

Intro to Afro Studies

Dr. Gregory Carr

1/28/30

How do we undertake the study of the African experience?

As descendants of African Americans is it our duty to fully divulge ourselves in the studies of their culture? Why must we feel indebted or forced into thinking that we must study the culture of the past? The reason why is due to the fact that in order to fully understand ourselves we must understand where we stemmed from. To fully utilize and absorb our ancestor’s knowledge allows us to move forward and pass on newly acquired to future generations. This will make us stronger, wiser, and socially accepted as a race. The problem is how do we begin to establish a link to the past and how do we undertake the study of the African experience. We as a race must be willing to constantly review and reevaluate our history and be open minded to the certain customs. In order to undertake the study of African experience we must learn and comprehend historical events that occurred in America and outside of America as well as conceptual tools.

The start of our journey can begin by reading Something Torn and New by Ngugi WA Thiong’o. Ngugi WA Thiong'o has been a force in African literature for decades. He purposely gave up the English language to commit himself to writing in African languages. This showed his determination and dedication to truly studying African experience. What is the best way to truly understand a culture then by learning their language? By speaking their language you have created a connection. In Something Torn and New, Ngugi explores Africa's historical, economic, and cultural elimination by slavery, colonialism, and globalization. Throughout our tragic history, a constant and unstoppable force was Europhonism. By stripping us of our native names, languages, and identities we lost base with our motherland. The result was the dismemberment of African memory and culture. Thiong’o is an effective tool in helping us study the Africana...