Facing south to Africa : toward an Afrocentric critical orientation /

Gearing his book primarily to scholars of Afrocentricity theory, Asante (Temple), the architect of Afrocentricity, provides perspectives on numerous topics and theories through the Afrocentric lens. He briefly explains Afrocentricity's position on theories, from structuralism and postmodernism to negritude, Africology, and kawaida (a theory proposed by Maulana Karenga in the 1970s). Asante also looks at immigration, identity, black education, a united Africa, and the various conflicts impacting Africa today. A lot of verbiage weighs down the book, especially in the first half, making it difficult for students (undergraduate or graduate) to follow. The author goes in depth with some topics but only briefly considers others. For example, there is much consideration of African unity, but the discussion on immigrant experiences in the US does not address Africans' experiences. Asante does not further academic discourse with new data or research and does not draw much on contemporary studies. However, the book does provide important considerations of existing debates, especially around Pan-African unity, and deepens understanding of critical issues for scholars of Afrocentricity. Summing Up: Optional. Scholars only. --Msia Kibona Clark, California State University, Los Angeles