Africana Philosophy and Philosophy in Black

Black Existentialism: Extending the Discourse on Meaning and Existence

“…According to Gordon (), Black existentialism addresses problems of meaning born out of the formation of those problems in an anti‐Black world. The intersection of a socially constructed ideology of humanness and complications of individual agency in the world contributes to the need for discourse through the lens of Black existentialism.…”

“…This allowed for the philosophy to be utilized as a psychosomatic tool to construct and establish subjective value and worth onto an otherwise insignificant and futile existence. In comparison, Black existentialism (Gordon, ) challenged the inauthentic identity and status imposed on marginalized groups of Black people, while simultaneously sustaining their empowerment (Gordon, ). This can disrupt the inauthentic perceptions of identity and status while at the same time empowering the individual.…”

“…Black existentialism is grounded in the emancipation of all Black people and addresses the matter of Black struggle and suffering. More importantly, Black existentialism acknowledges the resiliency and agency exercised in reclaiming voice, while seeking meaning in the world (Biko, 1978/2002; Gordon, , ). Kane () pointed out that racism and racialization coexist as organizing principles within society, reminding us that race and class derive their significance from each other.…”

“…Scholars and writers such as Aimé Césaire (), Frantz Fanon (, ), Audre Lorde (McHugh, ), W. E. B. Du Bois (), Lewis Gordon (, ), bell hooks (, , ), and Patricia Hill‐Collins () explored, postulated, and expanded upon various concepts of Black thought and existence. The pursuit of identity is due in part to a lived experience of hegemony (Goodman & West‐Olatunji, ) and the colonization of Black people (Fanon, ), intersecting with the denial of physical and psychological freedom.…”

“…According to Gordon (, ), Black existentialism provides the philosophical grounding to explore the struggle to live within inequity, racialization, and historical oppression as experienced by Black people. This grounding calls for an investigation of how to enact a philosophy that translates its central tenets into active reflection and meaningful scholarly discourse.…”