I haven't looked at the March 3, 1995 issue of Chronicle of Higher
Education. Maybe the Duke University and other few instances are an
exception, but still from experience at applying for teaching
positions in African history, a white Africanist still stands a
better chance of getting the job than the black Africanist, even if
he comes from Africa as I do. I have known even many black African
Africanists that have been turned away several times and unable to
get teaching positions here in America.
Yes, race plays a determinant role in getting employed in many
positions including teaching positions in African history. It may
go both ways as the Duke University and a few other instances
suggest, but nevertheless, in most cases, the white Africanist stands
a better chance of getting a teaching position than a black
Africanist, even if they apply for the same position at most
universities that offer African history programs because of the still
obvious prevalent racial stereotyping.