Decolonising the African Mind

by Chinweizu

Decolonising the African Mind--A must read!

Genres: Africa

294 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1987

About the author

Chinweizu is an institutionally unaffiliated Afrocentric scholar. A historian and cultural critic, his books include The West and the Rest of Us (1975), Second, enlarged edition (1987); Invocations and Admonitions (1986); Decolonising the African Mind (1987); Voices from Twentieth-century Africa (1988); Anatomy of Female Power (1990). He is also a co-author of Towards the Decolonization of African Literature (1980). His pamphlets include The Black World and the Nobel (1987); and Recolonization or Reparation? (1994) He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

He was was educated at Government Secondary School, Afikpo and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and SUNY, Buffalo. While studying in America, during the civil rights era, Chinweizu became influenced by the philosophy of a black arts movement. He is commonly associated with Black orientalism.

Reviews

[Michael Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than another "what they did to us" book this is more about what we can do to fix things and fix us. The mistakes we made, how to avoid them again. Quite instructive

[Molebatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Decolonising the African Mind" by Chinweizu is a thought-provoking and seminal work that delves into the cultural and intellectual emancipation of African peoples. Chinweizu meticulously critiques the impact of colonialism on the African psyche and argues for a reclamation of indigenous African intellectual traditions and identities.

1. In-depth Analysis:
Chinweizu provides a thorough analysis of how colonial education systems have undermined African self-perception and cultural values. He emphasizes the necessity of revisiting and revitalizing African languages, philosophies, and histories as a foundation for authentic liberation.

2. Strong Argumentation:
The book is compelling in its argument that true decolonization extends beyond political independence to encompass cultural and intellectual renewal. Chinweizu passionately advocates for an African-centric worldview that counters the pervasive effects of Eurocentrism.

3. Impact and Relevance:
Since its publication, the book has remained a critical reference for scholars and activists engaged in the discourse on post-colonialism and Pan-Africanism. Its insights continue to inspire efforts towards cultural renaissance and the reaffirmation of African identity in a globalized world.

Overall, "Decolonising the African Mind" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of decolonization and its enduring impact on the African continent.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much food for thought here. The author moves beyond the "blame game" and explores solutions. I was also struck by the honesty and fairness when it came to measuring the scale and impact of outside influences on African society, culture, art and literature.

[Carina Landro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usikker på om forfatter deale me litt internalized rasisme. God del uncomfy, a little bitt blamey. Tungt lesestoff, kan godt ha misforstått