The author Chancellor Williams takes on the monumental task of challenging centuries of Eurocentric and dismissive perspectives on African history in his book The Destruction of Black Civilization. This necessitates a thorough critical examination of his work. It’s crucial to acknowledge that Chancellor Williams openly acknowledges the subjectivity in his presentation of research. He argues that, for scholars of African history, this subjectivity is necessary in countering the biases present in previous works on African history conducted by European scholars. Williams contends that Black scholars do not have the privilege or luxury to maintain complete objectivity.

In critically assessing Chancellor Williams’s methodology and the evidence supporting his arguments, it’s essential to explore his body of work with a discerning eye.

The Importance of Cultural Integration

It is worth pondering that documenting history is not enough; embedding it into modern culture is equally significant. History should not remain confined to documentaries and school curricula alone but should permeate everyday life. Music, entertainment, clothing, and conversations should all serve as vessels for the lessons and imagery of history to be shared and understood in society

Criticisms

There are notable criticisms to consider such as it lacks a table of contents. Additionally, the absence of in-text citations to primary sources raises questions regarding the sources behind certain claims. A more detailed citation system would fortify Williams’s somewhat radical and ambitious arguments for skeptics.

The use of the term “Asian whites” is a new one.

Original draft written in November 2017.