Glossary
African American Studies
An interdisciplinary field that examines the history, culture, intellectual traditions, and social experiences of people of African descent, primarily in the United States, but also globally. It uses various academic lenses to understand the Black experience and ongoing struggles for justice.
Example:
An AP African American Studies course might analyze how hip-hop music serves as a form of cultural expression and a tool for social commentary within the African American Studies framework.
African Diaspora
The global dispersion of people of African descent, largely resulting from the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It encompasses the diverse communities, cultures, and identities formed by Africans and their descendants outside of Africa. [7, 17, 19, 20, 29]
Example:
The vibrant musical traditions of jazz in the United States, reggae in Jamaica, and samba in Brazil all demonstrate the rich cultural expressions of the African Diaspora. [7, 17, 19]
Black Campus Movement
A series of student-led protests and advocacy efforts on college campuses from the mid-1960s to early 1970s. Students demanded the establishment of Black Studies programs, increased Black faculty, and greater support for Black students.
Example:
The student occupation of administrative buildings was a common tactic used during the Black Campus Movement to pressure universities into creating Black Studies departments.
Black Power Movement
A social and political movement emerging in the mid-1960s that emphasized racial pride, self-determination, economic empowerment, and the creation of Black political and cultural institutions. It often advocated for more militant approaches than the earlier Civil Rights Movement. [6, 12, 18, 25, 32]
Example:
The formation of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a direct manifestation of the Black Power Movement's call for community control and self-defense. [18]
Black Student Union Strike at San Francisco State College (1968)
A pivotal student-led strike in 1968 that demanded the establishment of a Black Studies department and other reforms at San Francisco State College. It is considered a watershed moment for academic representation and racial equity in higher education.
Example:
The Black Student Union Strike at San Francisco State College (1968) directly led to the creation of the first Black Studies department in the United States, setting a precedent for other universities.
Black and Puerto Rican Studies (Hunter College, 1972)
A significant milestone in the development of ethnic studies programs, represented by a course schedule from Hunter College in 1972. Its inclusion of both Black and Puerto Rican studies highlighted the growing recognition of diverse racial and ethnic experiences in academia.
Example:
The Black and Puerto Rican Studies program at Hunter College (1972) exemplified the expanding scope of ethnic studies, acknowledging the shared and distinct struggles of various marginalized groups.
Carter G. Woodson
An influential African American historian, author, and journalist, often called the 'Father of Black History.' He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and initiated Negro History Week, which evolved into Black History Month. [1, 3, 40, 41, 44]
Example:
Carter G. Woodson's tireless efforts to document and promote Black history were crucial in establishing African American Studies as a legitimate field of academic inquiry. [3]
Civil Rights Movement
A social and political struggle in the United States from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans. It primarily used nonviolent direct action and legal challenges. [2, 22, 27, 28, 34]
Example:
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks, was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement that demonstrated the power of collective nonviolent resistance. [2]
Desegregation
The process of ending the separation of different racial or ethnic groups, particularly in public spaces, schools, and institutions. It was a key goal of the Civil Rights Movement to dismantle systemic racism. [8, 13, 33]
Example:
The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education mandated the desegregation of public schools, challenging the 'separate but equal' doctrine. [8, 13, 33]
Eurocentrism
A worldview centered on Western civilization or a bias in favor of European culture and historical perspectives. African American Studies actively challenges and critiques Eurocentrism by centering African and African American experiences.
Example:
The traditional K-12 history curriculum, which often overlooks the contributions of non-European civilizations, is an example of Eurocentrism that African American Studies seeks to correct.
Ghana (Kingdom)
One of the powerful West African empires that thrived from the 6th to the 13th centuries, known for its wealth derived from controlling trans-Saharan trade routes, particularly in gold and salt. [4, 5]
Example:
The ancient Kingdom of Ghana was renowned for its vast gold reserves, which were a major commodity in the trans-Saharan trade network. [4, 5]
Harlem Renaissance
A flourishing of African American artistic, literary, and intellectual life in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily centered in Harlem, New York. It fostered a new sense of racial pride and cultural expression. [9, 21, 23, 26, 35]
Example:
Zora Neale Hurston's novel 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' is a seminal work that emerged from the Harlem Renaissance, showcasing Black vernacular and cultural independence. [9]
Health Disparities
Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. In African American Studies, this often refers to racial inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes. [2]
Example:
The disproportionate impact of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease on Black communities highlights significant health disparities rooted in systemic inequities. [2]
Interdisciplinary Approach
A method of study that integrates knowledge and methods from multiple academic disciplines, such as history, literature, sociology, and economics, to provide a comprehensive understanding of a subject. This approach is central to African American Studies.
Example:
To understand the impact of the Great Migration, an interdisciplinary approach would combine historical accounts, sociological data on urban development, and literary works by authors like Langston Hughes.
Intersectionality
A framework for understanding how various social and political identities, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. It recognizes that these identities are not isolated but interconnected. [11, 37]
Example:
Analyzing how Black women experience both racial and gender discrimination simultaneously is a key application of the concept of intersectionality. [11, 37]
John Hope Franklin
A distinguished American historian and scholar of African American history. His extensive works, such as 'From Slavery to Freedom,' significantly shaped the understanding of the Black experience in the United States.
Example:
Students often consult John Hope Franklin's comprehensive historical texts to gain a foundational understanding of African American history from its origins to modern times.
Mali (Kingdom)
A prominent West African empire that flourished from the 13th to the 17th centuries, succeeding the Ghana Empire. It was known for its immense wealth, particularly under Mansa Musa, and its centers of Islamic scholarship like Timbuktu. [4, 5, 15, 24, 30]
Example:
Mansa Musa's legendary pilgrimage to Mecca showcased the incredible wealth and influence of the Mali Kingdom to the wider world. [4, 15]
National Council for Black Studies Annual Conference (1975)
The first annual conference held in 1975, marking a crucial step in the institutionalization and professionalization of African American Studies as an academic discipline. It brought together scholars and activists to establish standards for the field. [20]
Example:
The National Council for Black Studies Annual Conference (1975) was instrumental in solidifying the academic legitimacy and scholarly direction of Black Studies programs nationwide. [20]
Rigorous Inquiry
The application of strict, systematic, and scholarly methods to research and analyze information. In African American Studies, it involves deep investigation and critical evaluation of sources to uncover truths about the Black experience.
Example:
Scholars conducting rigorous inquiry into the effectiveness of post-Civil Rights era policies would meticulously analyze government documents, demographic data, and oral histories.
Social Justice
The fair and just distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to rights and participation. It is deeply connected to addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for marginalized communities. [10, 42, 45]
Example:
Advocating for equitable access to quality education and healthcare for all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status or race, is a core pursuit of social justice. [10, 42, 45]
Songhai (Kingdom)
The last and largest of the great West African empires, thriving from the 15th to the 16th centuries. It expanded upon the wealth and trade networks of its predecessors, becoming a significant center of trade and Islamic learning. [4, 5, 14, 31, 36]
Example:
Under rulers like Askia Muhammad, the Songhai Kingdom established a highly organized administration and fostered intellectual growth in cities like Timbuktu. [14, 31]
Systemic Racism
The ingrained policies, practices, and cultural norms within societal structures that create and perpetuate racial inequality. It is embedded in institutions and leads to disparities in areas like education, housing, employment, and criminal justice. [11, 16, 38, 39, 47]
Example:
Redlining, a historical practice where banks denied services to residents of certain areas based on race, is a clear example of systemic racism that contributed to lasting wealth disparities. [39, 47]
Transatlantic Slave Trade
The forced transportation of millions of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries. This brutal system profoundly impacted African societies and shaped the development of the African Diaspora. [7, 17, 19]
Example:
The horrific 'Middle Passage' was the central leg of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, where enslaved Africans endured inhumane conditions during their forced journey to the Americas. [7]
W.E.B. Du Bois
A prominent African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and Pan-Africanist. He was a co-founder of the NAACP and a leading intellectual who advocated for racial equality and challenged white supremacy. [2]
Example:
In 'The Souls of Black Folk,' W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of 'double consciousness,' describing the internal conflict experienced by African Americans in a racist society.