Returning the Gaze: A Genealogy of Black Film Criticism, 1909-1949 Book

Where do we begin with African American history ? African American history encapsulates both America and Africa, but when America and Africa met conflict ensued. America and Africa met during a period in which America enslaved people of African descent, and through the enslavement process, the enslavers had to destroy the concept and the history of Africa. They could not allow Africans to know of their rich history. Michael Gomez from the text states,"Scholars of American history have long understood that discussions of the African American experience must begin with a consideration of people and cultures and developments in Africa itself,before the rise of American slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, to debilitate the notion that black folk, prior to their experiences in the Americas, had no history worth of the name." Metaphorically, Gomez realizes that the "sail" as it moves forward works to debilitating the African history that is so rich and emboldens the African American soul. Therefore, "Reversing the Sail." is the idea that the sail is reversed, and moves back to Africa for an analysis of the rich African heritage, tradition, culture, and history that permeates a people, and creates depth in the minds of the descendants. The book describes race as the sociopolitical mechanism that was created for the purpose of manipulation of minds. The book details the History of Africa Diaspora, while at the same time, discussing how that history is interplayed through the history. However, the book captures the image of the great Ancient African civilizations, and brings them into focus. I loved the text, and truly enjoyed the way in which Michael Gomez created the interplay of new approaches through African history. MUST READ.