Postmodern Skepticism as Activism

In the 1990s intellectuals and academics embraced and interacted with postmodern thought and ideas. Feminists and Black scholars employed deconstruction to question authority and tradition. Deconstruction fits within postmodern skepticism; it questions traditional knowledge. Black scholars Cornel West and George J. Sefa Dei use deconstruction to challenge knowledge and power structures.

White intellectuals dominate the intellectual community and dictate who has access to knowledge. Cornel West argues that the white dominance of knowledge denies Black intellectuals access into the upper echelons of the intellectual community, and it denies the Black community access to the same knowledge as the white community. This unfair distribution of power and knowledge perpetuates and upholds white supremacy. Alli Aweusi sought to challenge white supremacy and make knowledge accessible to all.

Aweusi’s Black Panther education and experience taught him to fight and argue for a more equal and free society. He learned about the rampant discrimination and racism ingrained into American government, economy and culture. Aweusi learned that Black people must demand attention and respect. White people are empowered by the systems that support racism and that concentrated, coordinated and collective action that pushes against white racism elevates the Black voice. Aweusi retained this knowledge and used it throughout his life to help create a strong Black community that could united against systematic racism and attack the status quo.

This sound bite from a 1991 panel discussion on Afrocentricity held at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX is an example of Aweusi challenging the status quo. At first listen Aweusi’s questioning of established science is perplexing. Why would an educated, reasonable person disagree that humans originated in Africa and that aerosols were not the leading cause of Ozone depletion (a global crisis in the early 90s)? It seeks to prove that more than one form of knowledge exists. It is difficult to tell if Aweusi intentionally engages with postmodern skepticism, but his ideas demonstrates that deconstruction is a valuable method to promote Black equality and facilitate Afrocentricity.

Afrocentricity is an idea to reunite Africans displaced through the African Diaspora by creating a strong community and linking modern Black culture of Africa. George J. Sefa Dei explains that Afrocentricity seeks to add Afrocentric knowledge to education and society in an attempt to foster racial equality. Afrocentric knowledge is a tool to help create a united and powerful Black community. Dei states that in an Afrocentric community exists “emotional, cultural, intellectual, and phycological connection between all Africans, wherever they may be.” Aweusi understands the importance of community building and awareness raising. He acts to weaken traditional knowledge structures thus giving the Black community a stronger voice within the intellectual community. He sparks debate, forcing the white intellectual community to defend themselves and listen to Black voices.

As the Black intellectual voice gains strength there must be a simultaneous strengthening of the Black voice. Cornel West states that there is discord between the Black community and Black intellectuals. Afrocentricity will heal this division. The Afrocentric community possesses a strong and united voice and a united Black voice poses a threat to white supremacy.