What Is Africana Critical Theory or Black Existential Philosophy?

Abstract

In this article, the author argues that Africana critical theory or Black existential philosophy is the philosophical discourse that critiques domination and affirms the empowerment of Black people in the world. However, although Africana critical theory shares similar concerns and themes such as existence, consciousness, trepidation, meaninglessness, hopelessness, fear, despair, servility, and abasement with European existentialism, there are important distinctions between them. For example, although European existentialism is, as Gordon says, “predicated on the uniqueness of the individual as well as on a universalist conception of humans and their obligation to self,” Africana critical theory or Black existential philosophy is predicated on the liberation of all Black people in the world from oppression.