Can the African Centered Educational Model Be Used By People of All Faiths?

Can the African-Centered Educational Model Be Used By People of  All Faiths?

The African-Centered educational model can be used by people of all faiths.  While many Pan-Afrikan scholars and educators (the “k” in Afrikan representing African people collectively across the globe, rather than only on the continent), "acknowledge Afrikan spirituality as an essential aspect of the uniqueness of people of the African diaspora" and seek to make it an instrument of their liberation, this is the more conservative view.  An African-centered education can take shape in many forms in varying degrees by different people, but at the core of the educational model is the practice of placing the history and cultural heritage of children of the Diaspora at the center of the educational process to foster a world view whereby children of color begin to see themselves and their African ancestors as major contributors to world civilizations, rather than mere observers on the sidelines of history.

B.L.A.C.K. tutors use academic encounters with controversial scientific theories like evolution and young earth theories, which may come into play in some Afrocentric curricula, as opportunities to further develop critical thinking skills in students.  Students are encouraged to dig deeper in their research, to think deeply, and to come to their own conclusions and analyses, based on the historical facts and what they have been taught to believe.  The Kemetic Circle, for example, is a major component of the B.L.A.C.K. series of history classes, which allow students opportunities to hone in on their classical rhetorical and didactic skills, while effectively discussing and debating in small group circles the basis and validity of controversial theories, using sound academic language, terminology, and textual references.

For B.L.A.C.K. students, many of whom are reared on solid spiritual foundations, the Afrocentric learning methodology has affirmed their faith while allowing them at the same time to gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for people from all walks of life. B.L.A.C.K. classes, which are multi-cultural and include students from all religious backgrounds, are not taught from a particular spiritual world view.  They are history, art, and literature classes which are taught from an African and African-American center, where B.L.A.C.K. students are presented with an additional world view that builds on who God has created them to be and encourages them to view things through the lenses of their African ancestors.

For me personally, as a B.L.A.C.K. tutor, since beginning my studies of Ancient Africa, I have come to new levels of knowledge as it relates to my own spirituality and that of my African ancestors, who were forcibly removed from their homelands and stripped of their language, identity, culture and spirituality.  When one begins to peel back the layers of disinformation and Eurocentric propaganda, a very different but clearer picture emerges of a deeply spirited people who saw the Almighty Creator in every aspects of their daily lives, in nature, and in all of God's awesome creation. As one studies to show himself approved, a good workman unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth, one is amazed to learn that all major religions of the world, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, have their origins in Ancient Africa.

The African-centered educational model can be used by people of all faiths because it was out of Africa that mankind arose and it was the beginning of spirituality as we have come to know it in the western world.