Jowers-Barber on Teaching African Diaspora History

/ Jessica Marie Johnson

Sandra Jowers-Barber is an assistant professor of history at the University of the District of Columbia. From the article, posted at VidaAfrolatina:

African American students often view those from the English-speaking Caribbean to a great degree as an extension of themselves. Because many of them have one or two parents or other relatives from the Caribbean, there is a sense of connectivity. The language is similar and patios long ago became part of the African-American musical vocabulary. The dance hall music of Jamaica is woven throughout rap music and the late Bob Marley long ago firmly entrenched reggae in the music arena in the United States and internationally.

Without question, the most complex and interesting class reaction from most students is reserved for those Black students who are from countries other than the English-speaking Caribbean or Africa. It is at that juncture that the lack of knowledge of the African Diaspora enters. It is also at this juncture that I believe teaching the African Diaspora becomes necessary and important.

Read it in its entirety here.

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