A Decade For People of African Descent and the Value of Black Studies: A Call to Action

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You may be surprised to learn, as it has not been widely discussed that the United Nations has declared the years of 2015-2024 as the ‘Decade For People of African Descent.’

Who are the United Nations?

The United Nations is the world's largest intergovernmental organization. They have 193 sovereign member-states who have equal representation in the United Nations General Assembly. The United Nations was established in 1945, following the aftermath of World War II, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN also promotes sustainable development and upholds international law.

The International Decade

The United Nations has dedicated an entire decade to the recognition of people of African descent. From 2015-2024 the United Nations has established that the acknowledgement of countries around the world should be focused on the recognition, justice and development of Black people. They have recognized that people of African descent were victims of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism, and continue to be victims of these same barriers today.

The main objectives of the International Decade are as follows:

The Memorial

The Permanent Memorial to honor the victims of slavery was opened on March 25, 2015, which also marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Day of Remembrance). The memorial is located on the United Nations visitor’s plaza in New York. The memorial was built to show people everywhere that the fight against racism and prejudice was and still is a struggle today for Black people. Moreover, the memorial acknowledges the most horrific event in history.

For 246 years more than 18 million people were forcefully removed from Africa and enslaved in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe from 1619-1865. Slavery was the first form of the accumulation of wealth in the United States. Capitalism and slavery went hand-in-hand. Simply what this means is that the United States obtained its wealth from the labor of Black people, thus America reaped its benefits off the exploitation of the enslaved. Although the United States gained its affluent monetary gains from the free labor of Black people, they were not the only country to benefit; France, Spain, Great Britain, England, the Netherlands and Portugal all became wealthy during and after the slave trade. Black Studies allows us to see the global capitalism of wealth amassing. Understanding this basis of knowledge provides insight and new discoveries of the historical subjugation of Black people all throughout the world.

The Permanent Memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the legacy of the slave trade. It will also provide future generations with an understanding of a brief history of slavery and educational means to raise awareness about the current racial climate of America and the disenfranchisement that Black people face; as well as the after effects of slavery that continue to impact the descendants of the victims today.

Black Studies and its Value to the Youth

The Black experience is a unique one that is complex. Black people throughout the world have experienced injustices that have shaped the past and present. Because of this it is urgent that Black people recognize the full grasp of our cultural history. Understanding the full experience of Black history is conceptually difficult if the totality of history is not taught to the youth. This is why Black Studies is so important. One of the principle reasons to advocate for Black Studies is to develop a mass of Black academia as its own outlet. History books are overwhelmingly filled with white history so it is imperative to create Black spaces led by Black people in order to cultivate and inspire a new generation of Black children. The norm of ‘whiteness’ that is centered in curriculum tends to isolate and omit Black scholars and Black history altogether. Without Black Studies, we would not have the knowledge of the “Hidden Figures” who have contributed advancements in the world.

Black Studies focuses on the history, literature and culture of people of African descent all throughout the Diaspora. The expansion of Black people throughout the world legitimizes the necessity of Black Studies. Black Studies is relevant because it has allowed for the reclamation of our true identity. The study of Africa and Black history is one that is intricate and multifaceted in nature. From the very first written language, to the first established University in Timbuktu, to the numerous contemporary Black inventors, to the modern day Black entrepreneurs and innovators Black people have made and will continue to make history.

A Call to Action

During the next five years of the International Decade, Black people should be actively taking measures to research, learn and fully comprehend our history as well as taking action to create initiatives that specifically benefit our community and children. Broadening the knowledge of Black Studies and the culture requires a continuous effort. Because racism has worked diligently to silence positive definitions, sound articulations and prideful acclamations of Blackness it is especially powerful to combat these practices by sharing and enlightening all those who are unaware. The rich history of Black people of African descent needs to be shared and acknowledged in all its glory because, “Black Studies teaches the world about itself,” (Hinds, 2015).

References

Hinds, D. (2015). Race, Ethnicity and Politics. Lecture from Arizona State University.

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