Each student must select two prominent African American political thinkers
(MELVIN L RODGERS AND AUDRE LORDE) and write a short paper (roughly 10-12 typewritten double-spaced pages)
that discusses the individual’s biographical data, values, beliefs, and
behavior that that shaped each person’s thinking as displayed in their
speeches and writings about the complexities of race in the United States. In
particular, examine the thinkers’ conceptualization of the historical and
contemporary forces contributing to their understanding of the causes and
solutions, political and otherwise, for ameliorating the predicament of race,
racism, and overcoming the status of an “out group” by African Americans.
What do these thinkers offer to inform us about black identify, political behavior,
popular culture, and so forth that reflect the evolution of African American racial
and political thought, including the appropriate approaches and strategies for
grappling with the complex issues of African American economic and political
development. In addition, critically assess to what extent do your two thinkers
offer useable contributions for current political actors to think about, act on, and
strategize around in addressing contemporary concerns, issues, and/or strategies
(provide illustrations or examples) in African American politics and public policy
