Eurocentric+vs.+Afrocentric


 * [[file:Eurocentric vs Afrocentric .doc]]﻿ **

OPEN THE DOCUMENT FILE, TYPE YOUR ANSWERS TO THE READING AND EMAIL THEM TO Olympusglobal@gmail.com


 * Activity 1 Directions: Read the verse from “I can.” Use the lyrics to answer the following questions. **


 * "I Can" by NAS **


 * “Be, be, 'fore we came to this country **
 * We were kings and queens, never porch monkeys **
 * There was empires in Africa called Kush **
 * Timbuktu, where every race came to get books **
 * To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans **
 * Asian Arabs and gave them gold when **
 * Gold was converted to money it all changed **
 * Money then became empowerment for Europeans **
 * The Persian military invaded **
 * They heard about the gold, the teachings, and everything sacred **
 * Africa was almost robbed naked **
 * Slavery was money, so they began making slave ships **
 * Egypt was the place that Alexander the Great went **
 * He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces **
 * Shot up they nose to impose what basically **
 * Still goes on today, you see? **
 * If the truth is told, the youth can grow **
 * Then learn to survive until they gain control **
 * Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes **
 * Read more learn more, change the globe **
 * Ghetto children, do your thing **
 * Hold your head up, little man, you're a king **
 * Young Princess when you get your wedding ring **
 * Your man is saying "She's my queen" **


 * 1) Is Nas describing Africa in a positive or negative way? What lyrics from the song support your answer?
 * 2) This is song is Afrocentric. Based on the definition of Eurocentric and lyrics from this song explain what you think that means.
 * 3) Why does Nas say that Europeans came to Africa and how did this have a negative affect on Africa?
 * 4) Why do you think Nas wrote these lyrics?


 * Activity 2 Directions: Use the quote below to answer the following 3 questions. **


 * “The Europeans of the 19th and early 20th centuries described Africa as a Dark Continent. According to them Africa was without history, its life blank, uninteresting, brutal barbarism[violent]. Europeans who visited the Great African City of Zimbabwe in the 12th century believed that the great city must have been built by some non-black people from outside of Africa.” **

1. Is this quote written from a Eurocentric point of view? What evidence from the text supports your answer? 2. Do you find this quote to be racist? What evidence from the text supports your answer? 3.Based on his lyrics what do you think Nas would say about this quote? Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Write whatever you want.