Yurugu: An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior
Reviews (69)
CRITICAL INFORMATION: A DEFINITE READ FOR PEOPLE CLASSIFIED AS BLACK PEOPLE
Dr. Marimba Ani delivered one of the best researched books on Counter Racism with YURUGU An Afrikan-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior in my opinion. Dr. Ani breaks down the behavior of White people in this book and gives Victims of Racism White Supremacy the tools to understand and comprehend where all of this mistreatment of non white people is coming from. Dr. Ani creates new terms to explain the behavior and culture of White people, which is necessary when trying to understand and explain White Supremacy Racism, our oppressors will not give you the definitions to frame what is accurately happening to non-white people. The introduction is given by Master Teacher Dr. John Henrik Clarke, this book quotes a lot of different scholars, most notable, Dr. Kovel, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Mr. Neely Fuller Jr. the latter two being some of the top individuals in Counter Racism Science. Dr. Ani introduces the following terms in the Glossary, located in front of the book for the reader, which are all very important to black people coming to a more concrete understandings of the System of Racism White Supremacy. Some of the most important of these terms, and essential in understanding the information in the book Asili - The Logos of a culture, within which its various aspects cohere. It is the developmental germ/seed of a culture. It is the cultural essence, the ideological core, the matrix of a cultural entity which must be identified in order to make sense of the collective creations of its members. Utamawazo - Culturally structured thought. It is the way in which cognition is determined by a cultural Asili. It is the way in which the thought of members of a culture must be patterned if the Asili is to be fulfilled. Utamaroho - The vital force of a culture, set in motion by the Asili. It is the thrust or energy source of a culture; that which gives it its emotional tone and motivates the collective behavior of its members. Both the Utamawazo and the Utamaropho are born out of the Asili and, in turn, affirm it. They should not be thought of as distinct from the Asili but as its manifestations. Cultural Other - A conceptual/existential construct which allows White people to act out their most extreme aggression and destructiveness, while simultaneously limiting their collective self-destruction on a conscious level. Rhetorical Ethic - Culturally structured White hypocrisy. It is a statement framed in terms of acceptable moral behavior towards others that is meant for rhetorical purposes only. Its purpose is to disarm intended victims (non white people, specifically those classified as black people) of White cultural and political imperialism. It is meant for "export" only. It is not intended to have significance within the culture. Its essence is its deceptive effect in the service of The System of Racism White Supremacy. Dr. Ani uses and defines a lot of other helpful terms to explain and breakdown White Supremacy Racism. She is a scholar and that fact comes through with this book, as it is not the most easy book to read, but it is well worth the time and effort to do so for black people, who desperately need to gain a better understanding of what is actually happening on the planet, if we are to not only survive but thrive. I suggest having a dictionary close by as you will reference it often to completely understand what the Doctor is talking about. This book was featured on the C.O.W.S and as the Host Gus T Renegade described it, the first 100 to 150 pages are like riding a bike uphill, once the reader is comfortable with the new terms that are introduced and understand the meanings, the rest of the book is like peddling downhill. In closing this is one of the best book I have ever read on White people, you will learn a lot, and even find more books to read and research reading this phenomonal work. A must have in every black person's library and definitely critical information that should be passed on to black offspring.
Purchase this book before it's no longer with us
I've had this book for two years and I am just now getting into truly reading this. Wow wow wow. Wow. It's a dense book, but once you understand the basic terminology it'll flow easier. This is an invaluable book, she alongside Dr. Amos Wilson are amongst a rare pop of black psych and anthro royalty in my book. Superb!!! Many of my conclusions have been validated between these two!! I also recommend "Good White People" by Shannon Sullivan. Very good book. All black ppl need to study the works of these two alongside many other wonderful black authors like Dr. Claud Anderson, Dr. Joy Degruy, Dr. Neely Fuller Jr and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing (RIP). If you are White and you are reading yurugu, props to you, a step in the right direction in healing your own people.
This book has been sitting on my desk for three ...
This book has been sitting on my desk for three months daring me to pick it up and begin reading. It is a little intimidating because it is about 600 pages and not a casual read. I wanted to get my mind right and technology is sooooo addictive. So I finally picked up the book, with my dictionary, no electronics because those items always side track me, and began to read. Though I am only on page 134, I have made progress. Thus far I am liking what I am reading. I would also suggest you all listen to her you tube videos as an aid to help you get a grasp of the terminology and ideas. It will seve you well once you begin to read. Again, it is not a casual read, but anyone who can read and willing to do the work will benefit greatly. I read it in 25 page increments. I am, personally, mentally tired by then.
GREAT BOOK and Seminal work
As a previous reviewer stated… WOW, WOW, WOW!! This is a GREAT book and a MUST-READ for anyone of African/Black descent seeking to understand our morbid condition in the world today. I think this seminal work sets up a new thinking for the subjugated peoples around the world to understand the psyche of Europeans and their supremacy of non-white peoples globally. This book is not an easy read (~graduate school type reading comprehension) and the terminology/concepts can be difficult to understand. Nevertheless, that should not deter anyone who is serious about ridding the world of white hegemony/supremacy and restoring harmony to a completely disharmonious world.
Not for the faint hearted
Hard hitting. Pulls no punches.
Marimba And is a brilliant thinker and analyst of western thought and culture
While I did not agree with everything that Marimba Ani wrote--I think that perhaps she idealizes African thought and culture--her criticism of western culture is brilliant. She should be required reading for any intellectual interested in examining the values of western society. Moreover, her writing is highly enjoyable!
I def recommend!!
this read is so advanced, that its taking me awhile to complete, but the information in it is astounding. I def recommend!!
This is THE book I was looking for. To ...
This is THE book I was looking for. To understand European ideologies and world views and how harmful those views are to your own mental health, the health of others and the world we live in. It makes sense why humanity became so destructive, we see ourselves more as individuals with our interests and agenda but fail to see we are also individuals whom are part of a collective. Read this book carefully
Most important book of the 20th century
This book is a must read and should be required reading for all black students with an in-depth discussion. Very informative about the nature of European & Euro American culture and thought process. Know who you are dealing with so You can stop begging and take action.
Five Stars
Great!
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