When I was a young girl in the 70’s my friends and I used to imagine that if women “ruled the world,” aka were the main political leaders in the US and around the world, it would change the world. Because we thought that meant women would somehow rule differently that men once they were in power. Surprise! Not true! Many men and women are good, conscientious leaders and also many men and women are corrupt, greedy, manipulative and self-aggrandizing leaders. It’s not about the gender (or the race, or the whatever else), it’s about the character and integrity of the individual. That goes for pretty much everything in history etc.
Interesting fact: Ibram Kendi’s mom had been a missionary in Liberia—which I learned because I’ve actually read his books.
So the father of contemporary anti-racism absolutely knows about Liberia. But to my knowledge, he’s never addressed it. Though I imagine it would be the standard “imitating whiteness” answer that you mentioned.
What an interesting book, thanks for sharing, and writing about it. You may also like Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade: 92 (African Studies, Series Number 92) by Boubacar Barry, it's very academic and well researched, and seems a very balanced view.
When I was a young girl in the 70’s my friends and I used to imagine that if women “ruled the world,” aka were the main political leaders in the US and around the world, it would change the world. Because we thought that meant women would somehow rule differently that men once they were in power. Surprise! Not true! Many men and women are good, conscientious leaders and also many men and women are corrupt, greedy, manipulative and self-aggrandizing leaders. It’s not about the gender (or the race, or the whatever else), it’s about the character and integrity of the individual. That goes for pretty much everything in history etc.
Interesting fact: Ibram Kendi’s mom had been a missionary in Liberia—which I learned because I’ve actually read his books.
So the father of contemporary anti-racism absolutely knows about Liberia. But to my knowledge, he’s never addressed it. Though I imagine it would be the standard “imitating whiteness” answer that you mentioned.
Thanks, Coleman! Looking forward to reading it.
Great! Was looking for a good history - thx!
What an interesting book, thanks for sharing, and writing about it. You may also like Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade: 92 (African Studies, Series Number 92) by Boubacar Barry, it's very academic and well researched, and seems a very balanced view.