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Black Authenticity: A Psychology for Liberating People of African Descent
Black Authenticity exposes fundamental differences in the psychologies of people of African and European descent. These differences, which are manifested in the oppressive behavior of Europeans, must be revealed before Africans can recreate an authentic Black psychology. Marcia Sutherland analyzes the various problems which plague the African world and outlines a liberated psychology which must be adopted if people of African descent are to become an independent people.
220 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
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September 18, 2020
I read through about 20 pages, beginning with the foreword and ending with the beginning of Sutherland’s discussion of “White Supremacy + the African World.” I am thoroughly disappointed in this book.
Sutherland begins the book (which, by the way, is supposed to be up there with Fanon’s Black Skin White Masks, according to the foreword) with a bold critique and analysis of the “Natural Conditions and the Psychology of Europeans.” She argues that “Europeans’ earliest existence in the cold and hostile physical environment of the northern Eurasian stepped allowed violent-aggressive, segregating, predatory, materialistic and Napoleonic tendencies to become deeply rooted in the psyche of group members,” and Sutherland refers to this “deep, ancestral psyche” and “psycho historical truth” throughout her writing. First off, I never like the environmental determinism argument, because it can be turned any type of way for anyone’s benefit. A white supremacist could just as easily take this argument and say, “well, look, us Europeans survived the harshest environment! We are therefore the strongest and smartest!” Secondly, it would be one thing if Sutherland took her time and walked us through chapters of evidence supporting this thesis... even then I would disagree. But she states this environmental determinism like we’re just supposed to blindly accept it. Can’t do that.
Moreover, what is incredibly disappointing about this work is that, a book titled “Black Authenticity” beginning with this extremely shaky analysis of “white authenticity” is counterproductive and dangerous! If the book starts in this way, I can only infer that at some point we will be contrasting Black vs. white authenticity, or using white authenticity to define what Black authenticity is NOT, and doing this with a bad understanding of white supremacy, white psychohistory, etc. can only produce bad results. Sutherland has a whole book to discuss and analyze Black psychology, Black spirituality, ancient + contemporary customs, values, world views, etc. yet only the last chapter, “Reclaiming African Cultural Traditions for the Liberation of People of African Descent” shows indication of this process taking place.
I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Black psychology/spirituality/philosophy/etc. The fact that it begins with such a bad note ensures, in my eyes, that what knowledge the text can give us is tainted or not fully realized. Do not be fooled, this is not up there with Fanon.
Sutherland begins the book (which, by the way, is supposed to be up there with Fanon’s Black Skin White Masks, according to the foreword) with a bold critique and analysis of the “Natural Conditions and the Psychology of Europeans.” She argues that “Europeans’ earliest existence in the cold and hostile physical environment of the northern Eurasian stepped allowed violent-aggressive, segregating, predatory, materialistic and Napoleonic tendencies to become deeply rooted in the psyche of group members,” and Sutherland refers to this “deep, ancestral psyche” and “psycho historical truth” throughout her writing. First off, I never like the environmental determinism argument, because it can be turned any type of way for anyone’s benefit. A white supremacist could just as easily take this argument and say, “well, look, us Europeans survived the harshest environment! We are therefore the strongest and smartest!” Secondly, it would be one thing if Sutherland took her time and walked us through chapters of evidence supporting this thesis... even then I would disagree. But she states this environmental determinism like we’re just supposed to blindly accept it. Can’t do that.
Moreover, what is incredibly disappointing about this work is that, a book titled “Black Authenticity” beginning with this extremely shaky analysis of “white authenticity” is counterproductive and dangerous! If the book starts in this way, I can only infer that at some point we will be contrasting Black vs. white authenticity, or using white authenticity to define what Black authenticity is NOT, and doing this with a bad understanding of white supremacy, white psychohistory, etc. can only produce bad results. Sutherland has a whole book to discuss and analyze Black psychology, Black spirituality, ancient + contemporary customs, values, world views, etc. yet only the last chapter, “Reclaiming African Cultural Traditions for the Liberation of People of African Descent” shows indication of this process taking place.
I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Black psychology/spirituality/philosophy/etc. The fact that it begins with such a bad note ensures, in my eyes, that what knowledge the text can give us is tainted or not fully realized. Do not be fooled, this is not up there with Fanon.
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