Black Studies in the 21st Century

Abstract

This article is concerned with the fact that Black studies (or African American studies, Africana studies, Pan-African studies, African Centered studies, Afrocentric studies, Africalogical studies, African and African Diaspora studies—they all basically mean the same thing) continues to have a contested existence in the U.S. academy. However, regardless of the ever-present need to validate itself, this field defies all attempts to silence its voice. The works of Black studies scholars are “here, there, and everywhere” if one cares to take the time to search and sift through the many scholarly contributions. Admittedly, the field is very diverse with numerous schools of thought. Yet rather than viewing this diversity as a problem, it should endorse the fact that Black studies continues to make strides in the academy. This is not to suggest that there are not problems facing its growth and development in the university systems; this article shall highlight a number, but it does make a worthwhile claim against any notion of a decline in the scholarly interest in peoples of African descent, in terms of history, culture, socioeconomics, and politics.