Paul Gilroy The Black Atlantic Summary

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Cameron Whipple
Due: 31/10/14

Critical Book Review: The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness

The Black Atlantic by Paul Gilroy (1993) encompasses the many dimensions of African-European and African-American cultural and political ideals across the rich history of the Atlantic paradigm. In the preface, Gilroy outlines the main arguments proposed in each of the five chapters in his exploration of the intercultural model he deems “the Black Atlantic”. This introduction acts as an organizational tool to connect the overarching themes, as well as touching on why certain elements were included and others omitted. The first chapter deals mainly with breaking cultural boundaries and nationalism, the second focuses on the complex relationship of slavery through the African perspective. In the third chapter, Gilroy touches on the politics of black music; and finally, in the last two chapters, accounts from two prolific African-American authors are examined. Finally, the conclusion is based on the ideas of tradition and Afrocentric principles. These chapters relate to the maritime perspective by showing how the Atlantic Ocean created a diverse African culture that must be scrutinized from different viewpoints. Ultimately, Gilroy sets up his argument for the interconnectedness of black culture from a …show more content…

Du Bois and Richard Wright, respectively. Du Bois’s work is characterized by a strong African-American emphasis on political culture as well as coining the term “double consciousness” referenced earlier in the book. Gilroys interpretation of this work fuels his argument about creating an integrated modern interpretation of the African-American historical and political culture. Gilroy examines Du Bois’s work closely and also aims to understand the concept of race in a modern society as well as the hardships of movement and travel of an entire people. He does by taking excerpts from Du Bois

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