Thank you for visiting Afran Intelligensia (African Intelligence). This site is being created for me to explore the depths of my identity to offer a representation outside of the dominant discourses that strive to define who and what I am. It serves to share my thoughts and experience within this virtual public for others to interact with and explore. I have found that as an African-American woman living within the United States my voice has been muted in a number of settings, in a number of ways. But that cannot stop knowledge from flowing. It only makes the messenger more determined. For some reason, in our 'so-called' democracy, if someone is saying something profound and challenging, and ultimately uncomfortable to a particular audience, it, they, someone will try to shut you down (i.e. Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, etc). Now I am not trying to say that I am on the same level as these prolific individuals. It is just that I can understand the effect of a powerful voice and assertiveness. Everything that will be shared on my pages may not adhere to, what I consider, the constraints of political correctness. But it will maintain my sincere effort to educate by increasing critical thought and, hopefully, intercultural awareness concerning my world and those that I will ultimately explore.
This page is new and under construction but it will be so eternally , both 'new' and 'under construction' (or at least as long as cyberspace is up and running and I am alive). For me a personal home page can never ever be a complete project. As it represents one's identity, the home page must maintain a openness to change and growth. Identity is fluid and ultimately expansive. But feel free to browse, take a critical look at what I have to share, and, if you are so inspired, take advantage of one of the provided means for communicating either with me privately or with everyone encountering this page. Also if there is any information you feel may be beneficial to this site's interest (audience included), please let me know.
ARTICLES/ESSAYS
The "Day of Destruction" and Training Day: Is There a Connection?
The Confessions of an X Hip Hop Dancer
Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't: The 2000 G.O.P. National Convention
I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together, But . . .
Black Feminist Epistemology or
Bust: Challenging White Masculinist Thought-Models in Scientific Inquiry
WEB PAGES
Poems, Prose, and Inner Explorations
African American Women in Predominantly White Institutes of Higher Education
The Power of Voice: One
Black Woman's Journey into Identity Politics
(updated)
News
Clippings
(updated)