AfroerotiK

Erotic provocateur, racially-influenced humanist, relentless champion for the oppressed, and facilitator for social change, Scottie Lowe is the brain child, creative genius and the blood, sweat, and tears behind AfroerotiK. Intended to be part academic, part educational, and part sensual, she, yes SHE gave birth to the website to provide people of African descent a place to escape the narrow-mined, stereotypical, limiting and oft-times degrading beliefs that abound about our sexuality. No, not all Black men are driven by lust by white flesh or to create babies and walk away. No, not all Black women are promiscuous welfare queens. And as hard as it may be to believe, no, not all gay Black men are feminine, down low, or HIV positive. Scottie is putting everything on the table to discuss, debate, and dismantle stereotypes in a healthy exchange of ideas. She hopes to provide a more holistic, informed, and enlightened discussion of Black sexuality and dreams of helping couples be more open, honest, and adventurous in their relationships.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Role of the Modern Day Black Psychologist

Truth is not a constant. Only a few white psychologists publicly accept the idea advance by Dr. Jenson that Black people, according to his research findings, are at birth genetically inferior to whites in intellectual potential. That sentiment, while obviously driven by racist, supremacist aggrandizement, and proven fallacious time and time again by Black intelligencia, might be the basis for investigation if examined from a purely Afrocentric perspective. If the genetics of Africans in America have been altered by the atrocities of slavery to render us more susceptible to physical maladies such as high blood pressure and diabetes, is it not fair to suggest that the genetics of things intangible, such as our emotional, psychological, and spiritual health have been altered thusly also? That is not to say that Black people are inferior, not even to suggest that. There needs to be a study of the genetic modifications of slavery to assess what that process did to our ancestors and how those behaviors are being perpetuated.

To not have a branch of African centered psychology directed towards dismantling white supremacy is irresponsible. Not only does it ignore the pathologies that could potentially create another Maafa, but it also leaves those individuals in a perpetual state of dysfunction and disharmony within the universe. The focus should not be a reactionary stance but one of assistance and guidance. The Afrocentric psychologist must stand up and teach the Eurocentric one. We must let go of the position that any interaction with the oppressor means that we are taking an inferior position. We must do what the ancient Kemetians failed to do: open up the world of spirit to the Europeans. To say that they are not capable of learning based upon some genetic precursor is to be guilty of their thinking that brands Black people inferior. Of course, helping them will not be a priority. The first thing African psychologists must do is heal the collective consciousness of African people throughout the world. Those that have been subjected to the tyrannical reign of Europeans. If African people are truly the original mothers and fathers of psychology, we must behave as such. The Afrocentric view that says that white people are independent entities that never have to be dealt with is still assuming a position of inferiority. African people must assume a position of superiority, not to oppress but to enlighten.