Question 2

As with all aspects of history there are varying viewpoints that can branch off into several different paths of understanding on a certain topic. The viewpoint of Asante comes across as a very resentful toward European historians and the way they have manipulated history to created what Asante views as a false identity for African Americans. It is seen by Asante that Europeans, through the use of their domination over the African race, came to take credit for what would eventually become the culture of African Americans. Asante, however, feels this is completely fictional and that the culture of African Americans can be traced back entirely to their cultural roots in Africa and suffered no influence on behalf of the Europeans. The views of Hall, West, and Hooks are somewhat between the arguments of European and African influence with both recognizing the impact of Africa and European societies upon what would become African American culture. Asante has chosen one side of an argument completely when dealing with questions of African American identity while Hall, West and Hooks choose to present both sides of the issue.

Brian