Carolyn Brown's points on this topic are well taken. I think the
study of African History and Politics in the West is still dominated
by white mainstream scholars. This is not because qualified black
scholars are around but because they are overtly discriminated
against in an area they could be considered to have an obvious edge
because of their experiences.
A case in point is the African Studies Association. For example, I
once wrote a book review for its journal, *African Studies Review*
on a book on Uganda. The editor returned it on the pretext that I was
not on their "panel of book reviewers." What he did was to assign the
book to a prominent white Africanist who reviewed the book . I was so
much infuriated that I considered withdrawing from the association.
On reflection, it was not surprising that during the Montreal annual
meeting the association broke up and one group formed the African
Heritage Association, because of this discrimination and it is no
wonder that many prominent black Africanists are still not members of
the ASA as the result of its still-Eurocentric and seemingly racist
outlook.
I do not mind whether an Africanist is black, white or brown. I feel
that in this "global village," we still can learn from another.
However still, blacks are still discriminated against in an area they
are supposed to be well conversant because of their day-to-day
experiences.
A couple of months ago I applied to a prominent university in the
Northeast for a position. The Chair of the Search committee enclosed
a questionnaire in compliance with the affirmative action regulations
which requested the applicant to identify his/her race. He said that
he would get back with me after I had filled it in. It is almost four
months since I filled in that questionnaire and sent it back---you
can draw your own conclusions.
Yes these days, we hear a lot about the Angry White Male and the
recent changes in this country's politics as a result, however the
reality is that even in an arena of African history in which I am
well conversant by virtue of having been raised in an African oral
environment, interacted with many Africans in all walks of life,
lived and breathed the African life most of my life, still, if I
apply for a job, I know that my white counterpart will be considered
over me. Yes, racism, even in African/Black academia, is still
seems very much alive and kicking, despite contrary views.