African Visions: Literary Images, Political Change, and Social Struggle in Contemporary Africa

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The complexity of African society entering the 21st century necessitates an interdisciplinary examination of Africa's political, social, and cultural developments and challenges. Focusing on Social Movements and Literature, Social Change and Culture, the book brings together a wide range of essays by committed scholars, writers, and activists concerned with progressive approaches to Africa's dilemmas. Beginning with an overview by anthropologist Cheryl Mwaria, African Visions addresses such issues as structural adjustments, religious freedom, human rights, democratization, educational movements, and health care. Particular analyses consider intellectual property, student activism, and the AIDS epidemic. Mwaria, Federici, and McLaren also explore the way social and cultural questions have been treated in literary works and theoretical studies dealing with hybridity, sexual politics, literacy, socialist orientations, and language. Noted literary scholars Odun Balogun and Alamin Mazrui consider aspects of these issues. The collection also examines trends in literature, publishing, and theater in such countries as Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, and South Africa in relation to themes such as gender, popular culture, African novels, and protest. Highlighting articles by two of Africa's leading activist/writers Dennis Brutus of South Africa, stressing regional cooperation, and Ngg wa Thiong'o of Kenya, advocating African languages, African Visions avoids the pessimism associated with numerous 20th century studies. Brutus and Ngg consider the economic and cultural effects of globalization and the necessity for promoting self-determination. An essential resource for all scholars and students concerned with contemporary African life and culture.

Reviews

.,."provide the reader with an excellent view of literature and the humanities within the ever-changing economic and political landscape."-African Studies Review
...provide the reader with an excellent view of literature and the humanities within the ever-changing economic and political landscape.-African Studies Review
..."provide the reader with an excellent view of literature and the humanities within the ever-changing economic and political landscape."-African Studies Review

Author Bio

CHERYL B. MWARIA is a medical anthropologist who is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of African Studies at Hofstra University. She has served on the Board of the American Ethnological Society and is a member of the Committee for Academic Freedom in Africa. She has written on childbirth and child rearing in Kenya, biomedical ethics, women's health, and race relations. SILVIA FEDERICI is Associate Professor of International Studies and Political Philosophy at New College, Hofstra University. She is a founding member and coordinator of the Committee for Academic Freedom in Africa. Among her earlier publications is Enduring Western Civilization: The Construction of the Concept of Western Civilization (Praeger, 1995). JOSEPH McLAREN is an Associate Professor of English at Hofstra University. He has written extensively on black literature and culture. His works include Langston Hughes: Folk Dramatist in the Protest Tradition, 1921-1943 (Greenwood Press, 1997).