UnAfrican Americans: Nineteenth-Century Black Nationalists and the Civilizing Mission [Hardcover]

Tunde Adeleke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 1998

" Though many scholars will acknowledge the Anglo-Saxon character of black American nationalism, few have dealt with the imperialistic ramifications of this connection. Now, Nigerian-born scholar Tunde Adeleke reexamines nineteenth-century black American nationalism, finding not only that it embodied the racist and paternalistic values of Euro-American culture but also that nationalism played an active role in justifying Europe's intrusion into Africa. Adeleke looks at the life and work of Martin Delany, Alexander Crummell, and Harry McNeal Turner, demonstrating that as supporters of the mission civilisatrice (""civilizing mission"") these men helped lay the foundation for the colonization of Africa. By exposing the imperialistic character of nineteenth-century black American nationalism, Adeleke reveals a deep historical and cultural divide between Africa and the black diaspora. Black American nationalists had a clear preference--Euro-America over Africa--and their plans were not designed for the immediate benefit of Africans but to enhance their own fortunes. Arguing that these men held a strong desire for cultural affinity with Europe, Adeleke makes a controversial addition to the ongoing debate concerning the roots of black nationalism and Pan-Africanism.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Passionate and well written, Adeleke's stunning reexamination of three 19th-century African Americans is bound to be controversial. But the truth must be told, and the Nigerian-born director of Africana studies at Loyola University is up to the task. It's hard to believe that this is Adeleke's first book: with fresh lucid prose and wry wit, he brings to light the historic ironies and philosophical hypocrisies that continue to shape African and African American lives. Martin Delany, Alexander Crummell and Henry McNeal Turner were three who lost faith with the struggle for freedom and franchise in this country and shifted toward what became a reactionary escapist plan to migrate. Africa was the goal, a place dictated by birthright for black Americans to rule and civilize. When wealthy blacks refused to finance the schemes, European and American governments and robber barons were courted. Delany, considered the father of black nationalism, accumulated data in Africa that facilitated British colonization. Crummell, enamored with European culture, used religious rhetoric to excuse slavery here and to revile African culture. Turner, a former reconstruction legislator, appealed to the U.S. government for $40 billion in reparations to finance the mass relocation. Adeleke builds a solid case to support his charge that the so-called pan-Africanism of these men was actually a very destructive narrow nationalism. Their contempt for African people and their indigenous cultures led to support of imperialist intervention at a time when nation-states were forming. Opportunistically, the men abandoned the call when political tides turned for blacks in the U.S., but the colonial wheel has already been set in motion.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An interesting treatment of black nationalism in the U.S." -- Booklist

"His thesis is certain to stir controvery and cause a rethinking of the African diaspora." -- Choice

"An important and pioneering book that will change the way American historians think about nineteenth-century black nationalism.... One of the most powerful rethinkings of black American nationalism that has been written in the past thirty years." -- Clarence Walker

"The strength of UnAfrican Americans is its author's frank presentation of the anti-African, or civilizationalist, face of its subjects." -- H-NET Book Review

"Lays bare, in provocative ways, some of the more troubling aspects of nineteenth-century black nationalism." -- Journal of American History

"In this fine exploration of the 'double consciousness' of the 'golden age' of black American nationalism, historian Tunde Adeleke makes an important contribution to the project to correct the monolithic perception of black nationalism as a counter culture movement fundamentally opposed to racial oppression." -- Journal of Intercultural Studies

"Passionate and well written, Adeleke's stunning reexamination of three 19th-century African Americans is bound to be controversial. With fresh lucid prose and wry wit, he brings to light the historic ironies and philosophical hypocrisies that continue to shape African and African American lives." -- Publishers Weekly

"He argues 19th century African Americans were no different than Euro-Americans: They wanted to colonize Africa and to establish a black homeland, but if established, this homeland would be based upon European, not African, civilization." -- The Griot

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (June 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081312056X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813120560
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Adeleke, the UnAfrican African., November 6, 2000

By 

Boukman (Kingston, Jamaica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UnAfrican Americans: Nineteenth-Century Black Nationalists and the Civilizing Mission (Hardcover)

To Mr. Adeleke black nationalists in the nineteenth century were the mirror image of colonialist racist whites. I would agree with him here to some extent, in that they were certainly not perfect. But what is mind boggling is his portrail of W.E.B DuBois as THE model Black Naionalist. This is view of someone who obviosly knows nothing about DuBois and his collaberation with American imperialists, such as Firestone Company. Nor does he seem to be aware of DuBois integrationist stance with the NAACP, or his insistance that blacks in the West do not want to migrate to Liberia because the climate is "too hot"(which is equally damaging as saying that Africa is a "Dark Contintent"). But even more mind boggling is Adeleke's view that unlike other white imperialists, American intervention "saved" liberia! I would also like to point out too that he is equally ignorant of the Afrocentic discourse and its interpretation of black culture. Mr. Adeleke thesis is obviously weak. The "genuine" Pan-Africanists he presents in his book were equally "Eurocentric" in their outlook, i.e. they were Marxtists and can be seen as agents of Soviet imperialism. When Adeleke claims that black nationalists in the diaspora "collaberated" with white imperialists in thier colonising efforts in Africa, the sublte message here is that not only are blacks to be blamed for slavery (which some people believe), but European colonialism as well!! Mr. Adeleke confesses in his book that it is a difficult thesis to advance. Therefore let me be the first to say that he has failed miserably.