Exploring afrocentricity: An analysis of the discourse of Jesse Jackson

Exploring Afrocentricity: An Analysis of the Discourse of Barack Obama

“…Standing alone as a fully functioning methodological entity (Walker and Greene 2006), the Afrocentric method is self-validating. It arrives at its validity by centering on its own culture.…”

Exploring Afrocentricity: An Analysis of the Discourse of Oprah Winfrey

“…She begins by acknowledging her common heritage with her immediate audience by stating “There is nothing better than being honored by your own” (Winfrey, 2007). To be Afrocentric in this regard is to “resist imposition, negative criticism and evaluation” (Walker & Greene, 2006). In other words, the expressions are natural to the being without consideration for the expectations of those who employ a different worldview.…”

“…She speaks of a time when executives wanted her to change her name to “Suzie.” Winfrey never mentions that she contemplated acquiescing to such a request. Obviously, she did not change her name, as she is known around the world as simply “Oprah.” Her telling of the story shows a resistance to criticism, evaluation and hegemonic standards (Walker & Greene, 2006). In adding to this resistance, Winfrey told of how the executives did not like the way she looked and sent her to a salon to perm her hair.…”

“…When investigating discourse from an Afrocentric perspective, the investigator must consider if the orator’s rhetoric indicates a respect for pluralism and an opposition to Western imperialism. In other words, are the ideas concerned with the “co-existence of different cultural and ethnic groups” (Walker & Greene, 2006, p. 69) while emphasizing the negative implications of a Western cultural ideal?…”

“…Since the publication of “Exploring Afrocentricity: An Analysis of the Rhetoric of Jesse Jackson” (Walker & Greene, 2006) and “Exploring Afrocentricity: An Analysis of the Rhetoric of Barack Obama” (Stewart, 2011) scholars have researched Afrocentricity (Jenkins & Moore, 2013; Pratt-Clarke, 2014; Tolliver, 2015), investigated Afrocentric communication (Exkano, 2013; Meyerson, 2015; Sesanti, 2016) and conducted studies using an Afrocentric approach (Bonsu, 2016; Engel-Di Mauro et al, 2014; Howard, 2011; Kumah-Abiwu, 2016; Tillotson, 2017). Whether investigating African religion (Bonsu, 2016), teaching at an HBCU (Meyerson, 2015), or investigating the effects of White privilege on black voices in the media (Redding, 2017), researchers continue to view Afrocentricity as relevant for understanding certain contexts and as a viable tool for analysis.…”