
AMOD: Using Black Conservatism to show the Difference between African American History and African American Studies as a Course of Study!

PERSONAL OPINION/COMMENTARY:
As stated in my previous Post, this is not a Post for everyone. We understand that not everyone has the emotional maturity to discuss these topics in a proper manner. It is not an attempt on my part to convince you of anything, but rather an effort on my part to inform the misinformed and to enlighten some people who might not have the necessary background to form an honest and informed opinion about some of the most important topics of our time. So with that being said, let's begin!
In the recent debate about the AP African American Studies Course offered by the College Board there was some concern that the Board had bent to Political Pressure and had changed some of the Modules in the Curriculum, dropping several that were considered Liberal and adding a Section on Black Conservatism. I found this change to be rather interesting as the outrage about the change highlights all the things I find wrong with the teaching of African American Studies as opposed to African American History. As stated in my previous Post, AA History tends to be "Fact" based and normally is supported by either Primary or Secondary Sources! AA Studies on the other hand tends to be more "Philosophical" in nature and relies on Sources that tend to be subjective. So a topic like Black Conservatism might be submitted to a group of students as something a AP Teacher might believe is true based upon their individualview point, when in fact Black Conservatism is nothing new and has a well established foundation in African American History, and if presented incorrectly could end up providing the student with a false view of this rather important subject. So let's take a moment and discuss Black Conservatism as it has traditionally been viewed in the Black Community minus todays Media Interpetation!
First, let's provide you with a simple traditional definition of Black Conservatism:
Black conservatism is a political and social philosophy rooted in communities of African descent that aligns largely with the conservative ideology around the world. Black conservatives emphasize traditionalism, patriotism, self-sufficiency, and strong cultural and social conservatism within the context of the black church. In the United States it is often, but not exclusively, associated with the Republican Party.
The first thing about this definition that should jump out to you is that this "Philosophy" is often, but NOT exclusively associated with the Republican Party. Which means that Black Conservatism in its true sense has nothing to do with Political Parties. As a matter of fact if you look closely at this definition you will find that the true foundation for Black Conservatism is found in the Black Church!
Compare this if you will to the definition of Black Liberalism:
Black liberalism, also known as African-American liberalism, is a political and social philosophy within the United States of America's African-American community that aligns with the concept of Modern liberalism which is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law. Black Liberalism is frequently cited as the dominant ideology of modern times as it relates to Black America.
Now I need you to take a moment and look very closely and see if you can tell the difference between these two approaches. Turn off your political lens and look only at it through a Philosopical Lens...if you do, you will see that there is very little difference between a Black Conservative and a Black Liberal and the primary difference will deal with the subject of Equality and how this subject should be approached!
In African American History this is called the Great Debate and it has existed since before the end of Reconstruction! It's key context can be found in the discussion of Traditionalism and Self Sufficiency verus Opportunity and Access!! The primary leaders in this debate were Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois...both of which by the way were members of the Republican Party at the time! (smile)
The great Booker T Washington vs W.E.B Du Bois debate was over which road would lead to equality: economic independence or fighting for civil rights. Washington believed Blacks having economic independence and creating wealth for themselves would lead to equality while Du Bois argued that fighting for civil rights was the right course to take.
Washington in this Debate was considered the "Conservative" because he believed that the old Traditional way for Blacks to improve and advance in American Society was the better road to travel and actually was supported and sponsored by many White Liberals of the time. Dubois believed that access to true wealth came by advocating for a seat at the table...and equal share based upon the rights guaranteed under the Constitution and it was because of this stance Dubois was considered the "Liberal" in this debate.
Washington was not concerned about "Intergration", as a matter of fact he gave a famous Speech...his "Five Fingers" Speech where he declared "that we could be as separate as the fingers on the hand, but as united as the fist in a common cause"! Dubois meanwhile argued that such an approach as Washington's approach may have gained the Negro in America a solid foothold in society, but it would not carry them much further than where they were at the moment. Washington was self educated while Dubois was the first Black to Graduate from Harvard. Dubois believed that fighting for equality was the only way for the Negro in America to achieve equality.
There were two great writings that informed this debate, Washington's "Up from Slavery", and Dubois's "The Souls of Black Folks"! Although these two never debated face to face their conflicting views of how the American Negro should approach his fate continues even until today with many people reassessing Washington's approach to the issue. Take this quote from a recent publication in 2020:
After Washington’s passing, Du Bois became the leading black intellectual and brought his ideas to the forefront of the civil rights movement. He believed putting all efforts into building wealth without having civil rights guaranteed to Blacks was a dangerous approach.
Du Bois was not alone in believing this. Booker T. Washington was viewed as a sell out for decades until a re-examination of his life and teachings lead many to believe that he had a reasonable approach for the way things were at the time.
Washington’s push for putting almost all efforts into building strong Black communities away from white communities is an idea a lot of Black leaders view as smart now. His push for Black ownership is the basis for many successful black businesses that kept many communities afloat in the South.
Of course, it is easy to see where Du Bois’ influence has lead. The Civil Rights Movement was built on the back of teachings and ideas spread by the likes of W.E.B Du Bois.
This Conservative/Traditionalist approach to Black Equality preached by Washington was actually at the core of some of the Black Nationalist and Separatist Movements like the Black Panthers and Black Muslims (Nation of Islam). As a matter of fact Louis Farrakhan's Philosophy on these matters differs very little from that of Booker T Washington! So yes....Louis Farrakhan is very much a Black Conservative in the Traditional sense of the word.
You would do the discussion of this subject great harm to water it down to debates about Affirmative Action and Abortion or try to fit it into the same model that one uses to discuss Political Conservatism and Liberalism...I hope in this brief discussion I have explained to you that a discussion of Black Conservatism is so much more. To try to discuss this subject without delving deep in the "Great Debate" and then bringing it forward would do the students a great injustice!
Which is why African American Studies without a Historical Backdrop is a bad idea!
User Comments
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The idea is that this country is made up of all sorts of people, all metaphorically, with their own flavor |
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If you get a chance watch "Descendant" on Netfliix--watched it last night Descendant 2022 | Maturity Rating:PG | 1h 49m | Documentary Films Descendants of the enslaved Africans on an illegal ship that arrived in Alabama in 1860 seek justice and healing when the craft's remains are discovered. |
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That cycle does make 'blacks' pawns. And part of their collective pawnliness is referring to them as blacks! |
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And folks have the nerve to marvel about a luck of Unity betwixt us. Is there any person living or dead who was not born a human being first and then accultured consequently? |
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You are such a rebel! Lol and an extremist. I just hope u never get brought before a judge because if u don't show them some respect there, ur 'toast' man lol |
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Don't be too concerned about it. He was on my site causing trouble too. And a few others. It's what he does. |
With the fact that many young Black people are unaware of much of the history, bearing in mind that many will not be returning to church, what is the method to be used in teaching actual history of the various ideas and philosophical concepts wrapped up in the Black people that lived that history. I am skeptical that the politicans will let focused studies of the history of one particular ethnicity, especially in the current climate.
Let me go on record as saying I have NEVER bought the melting pot image of America. I was introduced to the "stew pot" version long ago and have preferred every since. The idea is that this country is made up of all sorts of people, all metaphorically, with their own flavor, and that this together creates the beauty of the United States.
But how does one understand the "back to Africa" idea that was sponsored by Prince Hall which is somewhat similar to what could be seen as the seperatism of Booker T Washington. Both of those persons saw the advantage of the Black community being seperate and basically away from influence and involvement with the White community and had valid reasons for that opinion for their day.
The other approach which was to integrate and become part of seems to be the approach that Frederick Douglas (yes, I read a tiny bit about him while reading about Prince Hall) and Dubois. That appoach is consistent with the reluctance many people to leave America where they had lived and worked all their lives for another country.
I found myself surprised at some of my own reactions to the controversy. s