Please review the strategy in the handout, “Step-by-step guide to writing a literature review”

Here are some suggestions but you may design your own questions to explore in the paper.

Pan-African Movement Final Paper Suggestions

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In the first full century of the Pan-African Movement (1900-2000), there was much excitement by 1960 as the goals of the movement seem to be within reach. However, over the coming decades pan-Africanists would see four major dilemmas that would impact the various struggles and make the Pan-African Movement goal(s) very difficult to achieve. Outline these dilemmas and discuss which one you view as most impactful in present day organizing.

OPTION II

What, realistically is the pan-Africanism we can expect to have in the 21st century?

OPTION III

Discuss how class and internal culture dynamics (e.g. the spread of hip-hop culture) has impacted the solidarity of pan-African communities and dealing with the mutual challenges they face.

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1. In the midst of the heyday of the movement in the 1950s there arose a tension between the ideal of continental unity (Africa) or regional unity (Caribbean/Latin America) on the one hand and the demands of national independence on the other. In the case of Africa, Julius Nyerere noted in 1966: “ I believe that a real dilemma faces the Pan-Africanist. On the one hand is the fact that Pan-Africanism demands an African consciousness and an African loyalty; on the other hand is the fact that each Pan-Africanist must also concern himself with the freedom and development of one of the nations of Africa. These things can conflict. Let us be honest and admit that they have already conflicted.” Give a discussion of the Caribbean and/or continental Africa that exemplified this dilemma.
2. A second dilemma concerns the question of inclusion. On the continent of Africa for example, what does “Africa” mean and includes or even, what it means to be “African” is a difficult question. Even as current leaders are supporting the idea of an African Union, much of the rest of the world has done their own redefinition—most visibly the Arab factor in North Africa which has left many seeing Africa as only “Africa South of the Sahara” but there are also the South Asians who have multiple generations in Africa as well as Europeans. In the Caribbean, the question of who must be included has impacted such initiatives such as the Black Power Movement there or even the response that Eric Williams gave in response to African leaders seeking support of the newly independent Caribbean nations. Give a discussion of the Caribbean and/or continental Africa that exemplified this dilemma.
3. Then, there is the question of relations between the different communities and nations that make up the African world (continental Africans and the global African Diaspora). What perspective should we have about continental Africans vis-à-vis the Black Diaspora. Just as importantly: What can we envision for relations between African Americans and Afro-descendant communities/community members with respect to Caribbean and Latinx societies? Can we usefully develop a common understanding about the shared historical and cultural heritage of all African people?
4. The fourth dilemma revolves around the inability of Africa’s political leadership, as well as leaders in the various global Diaspora communities, to limit the influence of external forces on their affairs—many specifically point to what has been labeled neocolonialism, seen as the last stage of imperialism—a sort of colonialism through the back door. Is (radical) Pan-Africanism in the postcolonial period a luxury that African public policy leaders cannot [immediately] afford since they know that the Western countries (and perhaps China?)—their benefactors—are hostile to the movement?

1. Should African governments and global African Diaspora communities think about citizenship in very different ways? Should African governments look into reforming citizenship laws and embracing the concept of dual citizenship? Think about these realities:
   1. Africans in the diaspora make enormous contributions to their countries’ socioeconomic development (e.g., Ghana);
   2. There is a need to enable Africans in the diaspora to maintain linkages with their roots without any legal hindrances;
   3. There is a need to attract potential investors; and
   4. It can be a real strategy to reap advantages that accrue from the grant of dual citizenship.
2. Should we explicitly integrate an appreciation of how class position and economic realities shape relations between African peoples/communities? Pick a context and discuss how class has become a factor in the question of how to develop Pan-African solidarity and healthy communities.
3. Using Amilcar Cabral’s insights, discuss how we should see the talents and interests of our community members as resources in a Pan-African content. (E.G., Verbal Mayhem performers, athletes, etc.)

V. Pan-Africanism

You may create a topic of your own so long as it addresses how Pan-Africanism is or is not relevant to a present day political issue.

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Introduction: (5 points)

What are the origins of the Pan-African Movement?

Is it relevant today? How?

What is the greatest challenge it faces?

Literature Review: (5 points)

Origins of movements for unity

Tensions between leaders from different backgrounds.

The turning point from 1935 to the end of World War II and the 1945 Pan-African Congress.

The pitfalls of national consciousness/Dilemmas

Examples of how unity fell apart in the Caribbean and Africa

Failure in the formation of OAU and Caribbean Federation

Fanon and Cabral insights (Pitfalls…)

The challenges/needs of a present day African or African diaspora community (4 points)

How might a Pan-African Movement still be relevant? (3 points)