Digital Pan-Africansim for Liberation: an Afrocentric Analysis of Contemporary Travel Discourses by African Americans Visiting Modern Egypt
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DIGITAL PAN-AFRICANSIM FOR LIBERATION: AN AFROCENTRIC ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY TRAVEL DISCOURSES BY AFRICAN AMERICANS VISITING MODERN EGYPT A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Christina Harris December 2019 Examining Committee Members: Molefi Kete Asante, Dissertation Advisor, Africology & African American Studies Ama Mazama, Africology & African American Studies C. Amari Johnson, Africology & African American Studies Aaron Smith, Africology & African American Studies Christel Temple, External Member, University of Pittsburgh ABSTRACT Utilizing Afrocentric thought, this dissertation examines digital Pan-Africanism as a new theory that demonstrates the liberatory potential of digital technology including internet- based writing and businesses. Focusing on the burgeoning Black travel industry, it specifically considers contemporary travel narratives written by African Americans visiting Egypt and includes a thematic analysis of travel blog posts. It highlights the role technology plays in making international travel more accessible to African Americans and the potential that diasporic travel has in creating and strengthening inter-cultural bonds between African people throughout the diaspora. To this end, this dissertation advocates utilizing digital platforms as a tool for increased diasporic travel and Pan- African activism. It conceptualizes this new theory, discusses its implications within and outside of the travel industry, and offers a model to demonstrate its effectiveness and applicability. ii DEDICATION To my Grandmother, Mary Will Burnett, My first student and one of my many teachers 1938-2019 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank the Creator, my ancestors and my parents, Kim Burnett who was entirely responsible for my formative education, and Dr. Stan Harris, who taught me to appreciate Black history and devour books. Many thanks to my brothers Joshua, Josiah, & Justin for providing me encouragement and a loving family support system. I am indebted to my professors, colleagues and classmates at Temple University who stretched and sharpened my mind. Special thanks to Ms. Tammey Abner who has been an ally since day one, Jennifer Williams who is always brilliant and helpful, Manna Duah who was with me through every step of this excruciating process and spent many long nights writing and editing with me, and my advisor Molefi Kete Asante who is always inspiring and encouraging. Asante sana to my many writing partners over the years, Garrison, Manna, Ife, Matthew, Raven, Christine, Ashley, Whitney, Candace, Theresa and many others. I am grateful for my students Hanna, DelVal, Temple and Stockton, some of whom first insisted that I begin this journey and all of whom constantly ensured that I stay on my toes and continue to learn. Thank you to all of the librarians who assisted in my research (especially Latanya Jenkins). A million thanks to my partner Rob who made numerous personal sacrifices, encouraged me consistently and supported me emotionally, domestically and financially so that I could finish this project. Lastly, thank you to my ENTIRE village –all the family, friends, peers, colleagues, and even strangers who have been supportive in many different ways throughout this journey. I hope iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... iv CHAPTERS 1. INTRODUCING EGYPT ......................................................................................1 Historical Context of African American Travel ...............................................7 Statement of Problem .....................................................................................16 Significance ....................................................................................................18 Rationale/Purpose...........................................................................................19 Methodology ..................................................................................................21 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................24 Afrocentric Orientations to Travel Discourses ...............................25 The Attraction to Ancient Egypt .....................................................30 Literature Review...........................................................................................31 Implications for the Future.............................................................................36 Chapter Summaries .........................................................................................37 2. CLAIMING EGYPT: ANCIENT EGYTPOLOGISTS AND THE FIGHT FOR KEMET .......................................................................................................40 Cheikh Anta Diop ..........................................................................................42 Theophile Obenga ..........................................................................................49 Molefi Kete Asante ........................................................................................52 Yosef Ben-Jochannan .....................................................................................55 Jacob Carruthers .............................................................................................60 Asa Hilliard ....................................................................................................63 Other Kemetologists .......................................................................................67 3. WRITING EGYPT: AFRICAN AMERICAN TRAVEL MEMOIRS ON EGYPT .................................................................................................................70 Chuck D .........................................................................................................71 Era Bell Thompson ........................................................................................77 Benjamin Mays ..............................................................................................85 Minor Narratives ............................................................................................89 4. VISITING EGYPT: MODERN NARRATIVES OF TRAVEL ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................................95 v Significance of Travel and Mobility ..............................................................97 Challenges to African American Travel ......................................................100 Findings ........................................................................................................104 Theme: Why Egypt? ....................................................................................104 Theme: Safety ..............................................................................................106 Theme: Blackness, Identity and Belonging .................................................107 Theme: Race and Racism .............................................................................111 Theme: Intercultural Connections ................................................................112 5. SHARING EGYPT: DIGITAL PAN-AFRICANISM AS A METHOD FOR INCREASING AFRICAN AMERICAN ACCESS TO TRAVEL ..........114 Tourism and (in)Justice ................................................................................115 Travel, Tourism, and Afrocentricity ............................................................119 Defining Digital Pan-Africanism .................................................................120 Opportunities for Digital Pan-Africanism ....................................................124 WORKS CITED. .............................................................................................................130 vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING EGYPT No matter where you travel, You still be Black, You carry all your history On your own damn back. Your momma raised you proper Your daddy caused you pain You understand Beethoven, But you still love Trane. —Houston Baker Jr., “No Matter Where You Travel, You Still Be Black” (1979) Travel has always been an essential facet of human activity. Since the earliest migration in and out of Africa, Homo Sapiens have proved to be mobile. One can surmise that humans moved for many reasons. For example, they moved for purposes of food, for mating, for security and survival, and for curiosity. It is generally accepted that all seven billion humans can trace their ancestry to the continent of Africa. We know that there have been many periods of human movement during the prehistoric period. History affords us the example of humans being forced to leave their homes as is the case with Africans during the period of Arab and European slavery. Consequently, travel has been at the core of the human experience since the beginning of time. An examination of the nature of travel in the ancient world demonstrates that from the African cradle, humans traveled as far as Australia. When did African Americans begin to gain an appreciation for traveling to Africa? Prior to the 1960s, African Americans knew very little of the African continent or its inhabitants. In 1945 and 1954, Eslanda Goode Robeson and Era Bell Thompson 1 respectively both lament this fact