Humanists come from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds; however, quite often it seems as though most humanists are whites of European descent. This perception is not without foundation, but it is unfortunate because there are so many humanists from other backgrounds who have quite a lot to contribute to the advancement of humanism.
Summary
Title: The Black Humanist Experience: An Alternative to Religion
Author: edited by Norm R. Allen Jr.
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 9781573929677
Pro:
• Presents an African perspective on humanism not generally seen
• Articles are well-written and engaging
Con:
• I wish it had been longer
Description:
• Humanist writings from authors of African descent
• Includes both African-American authors and writers from Africa
• Explores a variety of humanist issues and social problems
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Book Review
Norm R. Allen, Jr., executive director of African Americans for Humanism, showcases the diversity in humanist perspectives by editing an anthology dedicated entirely to humanists of African descent. Some are African Americans, but many more are Africans who are part of the effort to promote humanism in their own countries. They offer a wide range of ideas about the role of humanism and the problems with religion in modern society (and African society in particular) â€" ideas which deserve serious consideration by all humanists.
Blacks, whether in Africa or America, are not readily associated with humanism. It is much more common to quickly associate them with very devout religion, be it Christianity, Islam, or a native African faith. This means that black humanists are a minority (and a minority within a minority in America), giving them an unusual perspective as individuals who are looked upon with suspicion by people on all sides.
Patrick Inniss writes:
Blacks are often depicted as relying upon their faith and religious institutions to cope with the considerable impediments which have been placed in their way. Victims need faith. The helpless and hopeless need faith. The less able are almost expected to appeal to a "higher power" to guide them through this bewildering world.
Instead of faith and religion, Inniss argues that the black community should turn towards reason and science, embracing its freethinking heritage and rejecting the stereotypes created by society. For all the authors, education plays a key role in achieving such goals. They all understand that without education in the right topics, it is easy for people to become misled by both political and religious leaders.
Franz Vanderpuye, a journalist and humanist activist in Ghana, writes:
To get rid of the widespread mass appeal of superstition in Africa, its peoples must be given the opportunity for education, particularly secular education. For us in Africa, this is a tall order, given the fact state and religion control every facet of social and economic life. Policy makers are themselves religious, and their personal idiosyncrasies shape the everyday life of their fellow citizens.
The Black Humanist Experience: An Alternative to Religion
Image Courtesy Pricegrabber.com Another means towards achieving these goals is to simply turn away from religion and focus resources on something else. As Gladman C. Humbles asks, "How much wealth would African Americans own if church contributions had been placed in General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler stock?"
Of course, we all know the problems which American auto manufacturers have experienced, but the larger point is quite valid: investment in this world and in a future here will do much more for the community than contributions to a church for the sake of some possible future life. Indeed, this is advice which people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds should heed.
That, of course, is very much the essence of humanism: helping people here and now instead of worrying about an afterlife where supposedly all of the problems and injustices we didn't fix here will be rectified, as if with some great scorecard. Humanism is important because human beings are important; Allen's book shows that this ideal is expressed by people from all different races, walks of life, and social backgrounds.
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