1st Edition

Pan–Africanism: Exploring the Contradictions Politics, Identity and Development in Africa and the African Diaspora

By William B. Ackah Copyright 1999
    142 Pages
    by Routledge

    142 Pages
    by Routledge

    What does it mean to be an African today? Starting from that question the author takes the reader on a fascinating intellectual journey into the realm of Pan-African thought and practice. Moving from Africa to North America to Europe, the text insightfully explores the pre-occupations of black elite, in the three continents, exploring their shared visions and also their conflicting interests. Tackling thought provoking issues in politics, cultural identity, and economic development, the book provides the reader with a refreshing, jargon free insight into relations between Africa and the African Diaspora. A must read for anyone interested in politics, identity and development in Africa and the African Diaspora.

    Contents: The search for identity; Pan-Africanism: the African Diaspora and the reality of Africa; The regional trend in Africa and the world; The Diaspora dilemma and Western perception of the African crisis; The impact of African-American culture on the formation of global black identities; Breaking old ties and laying down new foundations in Africa and the Diaspora; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    William B. Ackah, Edge Hill College of Higher Education, UK

    ’William Ackah has written a thoughtful and stimulating contribution on Pan-Africanism which explores both past cul-de-sacs and future highways.’ Professor Barry Munslow, University of Liverpool, UK ’...a tour de force that refreshingly exposes the complexities and nuances of a historical phenomenon that some scholars, blinded by emotionalism, alienation and cultural jingoism, refuse to acknowledge.’ International Journal of African Historical Studies ’The personal but consistently thoughtful and subtle readings of pan-African ideas that Ackah provides are a valuable contribution to our understanding of this subject, and deserve a wide audience.’ Ethnic and Racial Studies