Afrocentrism is a term that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It refers to a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasizes the importance of African culture and history. Afrocentrists believe that African culture should be at the center of all discussions and that African people should be empowered to tell their own stories. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of Afrocentrist.
Definitions
An Afrocentrist is a person who advocates for the centrality of African culture and history. They believe that African culture should be the foundation of all knowledge and that all people should be educated about African history. Afrocentrists also believe that African people should be empowered to tell their own stories and that their contributions to society should be recognized and celebrated.
Origin
The term Afrocentrism was coined in the 1980s by African American scholar Molefi Kete Asante. Asante argued that Western civilization had been built on the exploitation and oppression of African people and that African culture had been systematically erased from history. He believed that Afrocentrism was a way to reclaim African identity and to challenge the dominant narrative of Western civilization.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The Oxford English Dictionary defines Afrocentrism as “an approach to the study of history and culture that emphasizes the role of African people and their culture in shaping the world.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “a cultural movement that seeks to promote the history and culture of Africa and the African diaspora.”
Associations
Afrocentrists are often associated with the black power movement and with the struggle for civil rights. They are also associated with the study of African history and culture, and with the development of African-centered education.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of Afrocentrist include African-centered, black-centered, and pan-African.
Antonyms
Antonyms of Afrocentrist include Eurocentrist, Western-centered, and white-centered.
The same root words
The root word of Afrocentrist is “centrism,” which means a focus on a particular center or perspective. Other words that share this root include ethnocentrism, which refers to a focus on one’s own ethnic group, and egocentrism, which refers to a focus on oneself.
Example Sentences
- “As an Afrocentrist, I believe that African culture should be at the center of all discussions.”
- “The Afrocentrist movement seeks to promote the history and culture of Africa and the African diaspora.”
- “Many Afrocentrists argue that Western civilization has been built on the exploitation and oppression of African people.”