Cheikh Anta Diop, wrote the “Two Cradle Theory” which was originally published in French in 1908. He believed that African people formed their society based on Egyptian beliefs and not European customs. Diop then goes on to show that there is a lack of evidence, literary, mythological, historical or otherwise to show that the ‘northern cradle’ has ever had a matriarch. Diop saw that the “northern cradle” possessed the material conditions favorable to nomadic life, or at least a highly mobile way of life (Peter 9). In 1976 Third World Press of Chicago, Illinois published the English translation of, “The Cultural Unity of Black Africa” which describes Dr. Diop’s Theory in full detail. Professor Jacob Carruthers of Northeastern University wrote …show more content…
Diop’s Theory also claims that these early molds had permanent effects on the two civilizations which have endured until the present …show more content…
Dr. Diop’s theory is, of course, also based on the presumption the black race was the first to inhabit the planet ("Cheikh Anta Diop." 2016). In all probability humanity began its life in an unclothed state it only stands to reason that human life most likely originated in a climate where life could be sustained without clothing. The strongest evidence points to the Central and East Africa, near the equator in the region that presently makes up Kenya, Uganda and the Sudan ("Cheikh Anta Diop." 2016). Cheikh Anta Diop argued that the earliest humans were black. Diop recognized that anthropological research in the physiology of ancient Egyptians did not provide definitive proof that they were black, but the evidence unearthed in the process did allow sound extrapolation. “Although the conclusions of these anthropological studies stop short of the full truth, they still speak unanimously of the existence of a Negro race from the most distant ages of prehistory down to the dynastic period (Ijiola 52). Diop wrote in a chapter he contributed to volume two of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) eight-volume General History of Africa. He emphasized
...ons. Archeologists were able to find out the truth behind these civilizations and the myths had any significant to these individual civilizations.
All in all, by hearing Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop tell his story through a short piece of text, or through him discussing his intelligence and African findings, it’s easy to say that I am constantly learning something new. When there is proper evidence to back up possible theories, I find it much easier to come a sensible
“Different but Equal” is a video in which Basil Davidson, the narrator, attempts to expand and heighten the understanding that Western civilization has about Africa. Often thought of as underdeveloped or uncivilized, Basil focuses mainly on the accomplishments of Africans throughout the years and uses them to contrast the surprisingly popular belief of African inferiority. Just a few of the main issues being brought up are how Europeans routinely discredited African accomplishments, the often disputed race of the Egyptians and their society, and why the thought that Africans are ‘uncivilized’ isn’t accurate. The video uses science, archaeology and history combined with the input of well-known researchers to give a more accurate depiction of
...tween certain modern human populations, but it simply does not hold water when compared with the far more solid evidence presented by the Out-of-Africa Theory. As David C. Johanson, the professor who discovered the famous “Lucy” Australopithecus afarensis skeleton, puts it, “the majority of anatomical, archaeological and genetic evidence gives credence to the view that fully modern humans are a relatively recent evolutionary phenomenon. The current best explanation for the beginning of modern humans is the Out of Africa Model that postulates a single, African origin for Homo sapiens.”3 The Out-of-Africa Theory fulfills every question that the Regional Continuity Theory fails to, and provides the conclusive fossil and genetic record to back itself up. In terms of plausibility it comes out on top, and that is ultimately the horse I would back in this particular race.
In summary, Davidson successful traces Africa’s earliest origins and demonstrates that this is a civilization far from having no arts, technology, sophistication and unique culture. Culture and civilization as we know it today can be traced back to Africa, and modern science has verified the early perceptions of Europeans to be wrong. He provides more than adequate evidence of Africa having a history complete with vast and rich civilization, including archaeological finds and specialized interviews with distinguished scholars and philosophers. Despite the fact that society possesses a more positive attitude towards African civilization today in terms of recognition, equality, and acceptance than in the past, negative stereotypes are still acknowledged and modern day racism unfortunately exists. I believe that the existence of Davidson’s work and videos such as Different but Equal are crucial to challenging these stereotypes and discrimination in order to create a more accurate image of Africa and its history. Overall, Davidson proves that the continent of Africa is home to a history that is just as meaningful, comprehensive, and progressive as that of any other civilization in the
There are two major theories that encompass how modern humans may have evolved from the various groups of hominids that existed in the Old World. These two theories are the Multiregional origin theory and the “Out of Africa” origin theory. I will first introduce the background and logic behind the two theories, and then I will argue, with supporting genetic evidence, why the “Out of Africa” theory is currently the most widely accepted in the field.
The beginnings of racial difference can be traced back to the Age of Exploration, during which England was expanding its trading routes and was highly involved with trade in Africa. The English traders noticed distinguishing differences between themselves and the African people, both in physical appearance and cultural primitiveness. It was not until the 18th century when the word race began to enter languages and vocabularies, and this idea of a difference between peoples was prodded further into existence through the work of Carolus Linnaeus. Linnaeus composed a list of subspecies of human beings based on racial differences. There were several other scientists, such Georges Cuvier and Charles Darwin, as who created subspecies of man. Social Darwinism, alluded to the concept that eventually one greater subspecies of man would prevail and be the most elite of all of human kind. These lists often categorized the order of species with the white, European man at the top of the list and the darker skinned, African man at the bottom. An example of a concept of categorization was the Great Chain of Being, through which all things, including man and the subspecies of man, are given ...
“Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin shows the importance of knowing who you genetically in aspect to who your ancestors are. In the story “Désirée’s Baby” we learn about the heartbreaking story of a woman and her husband preparing for the best celebrating moments of their life, welcoming a child into the world. Once the healthy baby boy is born and is a couple months old, Désirée’s husband Armand begins to question Désirée about who the true father of the baby is because of the child’s skin tone. Out of anger Armand evicts his wife and son from their home and burns all of their belongings. While destroying Désirée’s belongings he finds a letter from his mother stating, “But, above all,” she wrote, “night and day, I thank the good God for having
“’How can anybody in his right mind be against science?’ asked Crosby.’ I’d be dead now if it wasn’t for Penicillin,’ said Hazel. ‘And so would my mother.’ ‘How old is your mother?’ I inquired. ‘A hundred and six. Isn’t that wonderful?’ (Vonnegut 231).
In Dr. Basil Davidson’s video documentary, “Africa, The Voyage of Discovery: Different but Equal”, he exhibits a unique perspective of African society, and characterizes African people as independent and proud individuals who are “equal in dignity and human worth” (Basil Davidson’s) as other societies. He also believes that African societies were a once succeeding society with hard working individuals and incredible architectures. He states that leaders in Africa lived like kings and people enjoyed their lives. He also expresses that Africa has its own profound history, unlike those explorers like Samuel Baker and Richard, including other white men who found themselves superior to Africans throughout history. They all found African individuals are sample and savage from their own interpretation. Includes other thoughts that African people are uneducated and cruel. Thus, through a series of facts and histories, this video documentary successfully demonstrates that African individuals and histories are equal to American people and histories.
ABSTRACT: Subjective knowledge should not be separated from anthropology. But, unfortunately, this is the prevailing practice. The anthropology of Bo expresses the presence of Africa in anthropology. The authenticity of the African is found in his fervent practice of Bo. His thought, action, relations with others-his entire way of life-is based on the practice of Bo insofar as he wears Bo names. Bo is deeply rooted in his cultural values and comprises the background for all social organizations and thus acts as a social regulator. In Western anthropology there is a scientific mind; in African anthropology there is a Bo mentality that attempts to understand the world and then conquer it.
Collins, Robert O.. A History of Sub-Saharan Africa. United States of America: New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print.
Welcome to Africa, or better yet welcome home. Examining fossils that date back several million years, scientific data supports the fact that human life began somewhere in Africa. This isn’t known by everyone though, in fact, unless some sort of archaeology is studied, or an ancient civilizations class, many are unaware of this. What people aren’t unaware of however, when it comes to Africa as a whole, are the issues. Words such as AIDS, war, strife, poverty, hunger, corruption, slavery, piracy, and genocide are all synonymous with Africa.
I was born a miracle baby, which I believe is fitting enough. My umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck while I was in the womb, which led to my mother having to have a c-section in order for me to be born. It is pretty incredible what modern technology can do. A few decades ago and my mom would not have survived and I would not have been born. I have always been grateful for the doctors who performed this. I even wanted to become a doctor for a little bit while I was younger, but the whole profession just didn’t seem too entertaining.
I can still remember hearing the rumble of the garage door closing despite my groggy state. I grabbed some shoes and tumbled through the kitchen, flung the door open, and re-opened the garage door. The engine was warming up in the driveway. "Wait," I called out frantically. "I'm coming with you!"