Not Only the Master's Tools: African American Studies in Theory and Practice (Cultural Poititcs & the Promise of Democracy)

Not Only the Master’s Tools: African American Studies in Theory and Practice brings together new essays on the ongoing value of black thought. In the service of what the editors call epistemological decolonization of African American studies, the first part examines the grounding of theoretical reason from various perspectives such as Africana philosophy, philosophical anthropology, and black literary theory. The second part offers theoretical explorations of practical reason as it unfolds in the study of slavery, education, queerness, politics, and ethics. Responding to Audre Lorde's famous dictum that "The Master's tools will never dismantle the Master's house", the editors and these internationally renowned scholars ask: "Why not instead devote attention to using those and other tools to build new, more open houses?"

Important for anyone interested in the ongoing importance of ideas, the book is well suited for students and scholars of Africana studies, philosophy, literary theory, educational theory, social and political thought, and postcolonial studies.