First, thanks to Sister Fela Barclift of Little Sun People Day Care for her guest lecture!
Media citations of think tanks. Source: Institute for Research in Mid East Policy
For April 17, Read Chapter 9 (“The Policy Formation Process”) in Amos Wilson’s Blueprint for Black Power slowly and carefully. Only one chapter this week, as it is longer than most. This chapter lays out the process by which public policies are formed and the views of people in influential positions are shaped by various forces. Pay special attention to the following chapter sections:
- Think Tanks
- The Need for Afrikan centered Information and Strategy Centers
- On the Black Hand Side: Black Power Networks and Institutions of Higher Learning
- Look carefully at the connections on Wilson’s diagram on page 170
Questions to think about as you read:
- How do foundations and think tanks influence public policy?
- How does this process aid those already in power?
- How has corporate and private funding shaped the role of Black higher education?
- How might Afrikan centered think tanks/policy centers intervene?
Presentation by Sierra, Taitiana, and Ashley
See the Assignments page fir the next assignment, due May 1. An interview with a senior member of the org you’re with.
Announcements:
- NEXT WEEK: The Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) is having its annual conference at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College from April 18-21. (April 19-20 are the key days.) This is an important gathering for anyone interested in taking the next steps in Africana Studies or going to graduate school and will let you hear from some of the key people in our academic discipline and make some good possible connections for graduate school. I’ll be there presenting on Friday afternoon. Conference info here. Conference schedule is here.
- The December 12 Movement has a town hall meeting on education and the specialized high schools. Details here:
Fieldwork in the African American Community 