Wendell H. Marsh
Associate Professor of African Literature and Philosophy who wrote Textual Life: Islam, Africa, and the Fate of the Humanities (Columbia UP, 2025); specializes in African literary and intellectual history and decolonial approaches to the humanities.
Best podcasts with Wendell H. Marsh
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Sep 22, 2025 • 54min
Wendell Marsh, "Textual Life: Islam, Africa, and the Fate of the Humanities" (Columbia UP, 2025)
In this enlightening discussion, Wendell H. Marsh, Associate Professor of African Literature and Philosophy, explores the pivotal contributions of Senegalese scholar Shaykh Musa Kamara. He delves into Kamara's monumental work, History of the Blacks, challenging colonial narratives on African history. Marsh emphasizes the 'textual attitude,' revealing how humanities can mediate understanding in our rapidly changing world. He also shares insights on Islamic reform movements during French colonialism and his future projects that build on Kamara's legacy.
Sep 22, 2025 • 54min
Wendell Marsh, "Textual Life: Islam, Africa, and the Fate of the Humanities" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Wendell H. Marsh, an Associate Professor of African Literature and Philosophy, dives into his groundbreaking book about the interplay of Islam and Africa in shaping the humanities. He highlights the remarkable story of Shaykh Musa Kamara, whose ambitious work went unpublished due to colonial neglect. Wendell discusses the 'textual attitude'—a lens through which to view knowledge—and argues for the importance of humanities in today's algorithm-driven world. He also shares insights from his teaching experiences and future endeavors in promoting a more inclusive academic dialogue.
