Black Existential Freedom

Black Existential Freedom argues that Blackness is not synonymous with victimhood but is inextricable from existential freedom and the struggle for political liberation. It presents an existential analysis of continental and diasporic African experiences through critical interpretations of music, film, and fiction. It is transdisciplinary and converges Africana existential philosophy, African-American Studies, Afro-French Studies, Diaspora Studies, and African studies. It explores the continuities and discontinuities of black existence and the manifestations and meanings of blackness within different countries, time periods, and social and political contexts. It empowers the reader to understand and process the complexities of racialized identity in a globalized contemporary society and is an ode to human survival and freedom.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Afro-Pessimists have long viewed black existence through the lens of white supremacy and anti-blackness, arguing that blackness is inherently synonymous with victimhood. However, Black Existential Freedom challenges this perspective, asserting that blackness is inextricably linked to existential freedom and the struggle for political liberation. This book offers an existential analysis of continental and diasporic African experiences through critical interpretations of music, film, and fiction that portray what it means to be human—to persevere in the tension between life and physical, psychological, and social death—for the sake of freedom. With its transdisciplinary perspective and convergence of Africana existential philosophy, African-American Studies, Afro-French Studies, Diaspora Studies, and African studies, this book is not concerned with disciplinary boundaries or certain appropriations of European metaphysics that are committed to a reading of black "non-being." Instead, it explores the continuities and discontinuities of black existence and the manifestations and meanings of blackness within different countries, time periods, and social and political contexts.

Etoke's book empowers the reader to understand and process the complexities of racialized identity in a globalized contemporary society. Ultimately, it is an ode to human survival and freedom.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538157060