Together We Will “Shut ‘Em Down”: The Black Power of Scholars and Publishers

• In Event: Together We Will “Shut Em' Down”: The Black Power of Scholars and Publishers

Abstract

This panel echoes the spirit of Public Enemy's unity against oppression by embarking on a journey from the defiant era of Black scholars and publishers to define and expand the “critical and systematic study of African thought and practice” (Karenga 2010) to introduce a revolutionary strategy to confront science upheld by European imperialism: transforming racist methodologies and data sources embedded in social and behavioral scientists’ research practices.

In the face of contemporary challenges marked by cultural attacks and AI misinformation, buoyed by research entwined with scientific racism, today’s Black publishers stand as pillars of resilience, supporting Black scholars as they pivot the cultural paradigm on its axis to shift the narrative from Black people being the subject to Black scholars being the authoritative voice and instrument of peoples, cultures, and the social construction of race.

In this presentation, Dr. Ayo Sekai and Ms. Maya Mathews Minter takes scholars behind the publishing “machine” to reveal how the future of Black Studies can be actively shaped, racial constructs dismantled, and cultural empowerment be fostered. Dr. McDougal III introduces his new book series on research methods, urging NCBS members to join him in the fight to decolonize the knowledge landscape and dismantle colonized racism in research practices.

Authors

• Ayo Sekai, Universal Write Publications (UWPBooks)

• Dr. Serie McDougal, CSU Los Angeles

• Maya Matthews Minter, Diverse Education

• Courtney Wilkerson, Howard University