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[mailto:ABSLST-L@LISTSERV.CMICH.EDU]On Behalf Of Marci Littlefield Black Studies is still 'fighting for crumbs' and at this point for survival. Black Studies is now going through a reorganization phase where most universities rely on Black Studies classes to fulfill general educational/ diversity requirements but are no longer committed to the growth of Black Studies departments. Most departments are making a concerted effort to add an African Diaspora component to Black Studies and this makes it easy for African Immigrants outnumber and control the fate of Black Studies departments. This is evident in the new job postings this year which are searching for scholars who also study 'African Studies' and outnumber those whose research concentrate on African American studies. However the real issue which needs to be addressed is how to make Black Studies departments a vital part of academia ---more than just to fulfill the diversity requirements. The common question is what can I do with a degree in African American studies? Part of this has to also do with the tension between Black Studies departments and communities and their lack of effort into reaching out to communities. Also I Think Black Studies department have forgotten the legacy left by Dubois and others who lived the idea of 'public sociology' which transcends the academy and bridges the gap between 'what is' and what could be. So there has to be a organized effort by Black Studies department to uniformly address issues surrounding African American Studies. This cannot happen if Black Studies departments are fighting internally.
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