History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

Was Booker T. Washington’s “accomodationist” approach to race relations a failure to stand up to injustice or a cunning strategy for incremental change?

A late 19th-century churchman tries to explain how slavery fit into God’s plan, and decide whether the future for African-Americans lies in Africa or America.

Brittney Cooper on activists connected to the National Association of Colored Women, including Fannie Barrier Williams, Mary Church Terrell, and Ida B. Wells.

Ida B. Wells, her tireless crusade against lynching, and her analysis of the underlying purpose of racial violence.

Anna Julia Cooper’s "A Voice from the South", an unprecedented contribution to black feminist theory. 

Abolitionists Luiz Gama and Joaquim Nabuco, and the great novelist Machado de Assis, react to the injustices of slaveholding in Brazil.

John Jacob Thomas argues for self-government in the English colonies of the Caribbean but his fellow Trinidadian Frederick Alexander Durham recommends repatriation to Africa instead.

This discussion dives into the groundbreaking work of Haitian anthropologist Anténor Firmin, who challenged the racist ideologies of his time. It highlights his argument that social factors, not biology, fuel human inequalities. The narrative critiques 19th-century racial theories, emphasizing the importance of examining humanity through social sciences rather than flawed notions of racial superiority. The exploration of race, species, and equality during this era reveals how cultural advancements in Haiti and Africa contributed to this critical discourse.

Uncover the insights of T. Thomas Fortune, a pivotal African American journalist who prioritized race rights over party loyalty. Explore the injustices faced by African Americans in the late 19th century and the critical role of the Negro press. Delve into Fortune's advocacy for justice, land redistribution, and practical education as pathways to equality. Discover his significant yet understated influence on race relations and his connections to other civil rights figures, highlighting the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America.

Explore Edward Blyden's admiration for Islamic culture and his transformative experiences in West Africa. Discover his shift from political to cultural nationalism and how he emphasized the importance of African identity. Blyden's advocacy for a return to roots for African Americans sheds light on cultural autonomy. Delve into his views on Africa's spiritual renaissance and the impact of colonialism on cultural preservation, as well as the complexities of race in a changing society.