History Commons^™

America’S Legendary Ignorance About Africa Persists, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

In an increasingly interconnected and technological global environment, ignorance of Africa is no longer acceptable. This, especially from major political leaders. Yet, examples of such ignorance are evident in the current American presidential campaign. Neither the Republican nominee Donald J. Trump nor the democratic nominee Hillary R. Clinton has articulated any concrete vision for an African policy.

African Immersion: American College Students In Cameroon, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

Based on previously unused primary sources including extensive interviews in Cameroon, personal journals, diaries, responses to questionnaires, and a variety of secondary sources, this study is a critical analysis of US study abroad programs in Africa. Using the University of Dayton Cameroon Immersion program as a case study, the work examines different aspects of experiential learning including selection, orientation, activities of US college students in Cameroon, post-immersion meetings, and impact of program. The nation of Cameroon and University of Dayton are uniquely ideal for the study as Cameroon is considered “Africa in miniature” and serves as a window to understanding …

Why Martin Luther King’S Anti-Racism Crusade Needs To Be Renewed, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was 39 years old when he was assassinated. Schools, streets and children are named in his honor in Africa. In America, he is honored with a public holiday. All over the world, King is known as someone who fought for human causes. At a time when racial violence and arrogance in the US and elsewhere is experiencing a rapid resurgence, King’s holiday is a reminder that much needs to be done to create a more inclusive global community.

Bridging The Racial Divide, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

In this op-ed piece, Julius Amin, professor and chair of history, says Barack Obama transcended America's racial divide with his victory in the presidential election, but he has not cured the country's racial ills.

What American Students Can Learn From Immersing Themselves In Africa, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

More than one million people travelled from around the world to study at American universities in the 2013-2014 academic year. By contrast, just under 300,000 Americans enrolled to study abroad. In this era of globalisation, it’s no surprise that so many young people are keen to study abroad. But as the Institute of International Education’s research reveals, the majority of US students are sticking close to home - not geographically, but culturally. Africa remains on the margins when it comes to American universities' curricula and initiatives like study-abroad programmes. American university students also display profoundly ill-informed views about Africa.

Keynote Address: University Of Dayton's Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin, professor of history and Africana studies at the University of Dayton, offered this keynote address at the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon Jan. 19, 2016, at the University of Dayton.

Bridging The Racial Divide, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

In this op-ed piece, Julius Amin, professor and chair of history, says Barack Obama transcended America's racial divide with his victory in the presidential election, but he has not cured the country's racial ills.

America’S Unfinished Democracy: The Struggle For Black Racial Equality, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

It's been 40 years since the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. energized a large crowd in the University of Dayton Fieldhouse, but the struggle for civil rights continues. Racial equality remains a piece of America's unfinished democracy. Most Americans remember where they were when King was assassinated. Since the organization of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955-56, King had become a household name in America. For more than a dozen years, he was a major leader in America's fight against racism, discrimination and injustice. America, in the 1960s, was a country on the brink. It was a tumultuous time. Race …

Keynote Address: University Of Dayton's Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin, professor of history and Africana studies at the University of Dayton, offered this keynote address at the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon Jan. 19, 2016, at the University of Dayton.

Clear-Eyed: African Immersion, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

Recent events including the World Cup in South Africa have done much to redeem Africa’s global image. Early European visitors wrote about the beauty of the landscape, vegetation, rivers, lakes and mountains, but labeled the inhabitants “natives” and “sub-human.” For too long, the continent was dismissed as an “exotic” place inhabited by “primitive” people considered misfits in the modern world, and as a result, some of the most vicious racial epitaphs have been detonated against them. UD’s immersion experience educates our students and reverses these stereotypes by charging them to discover for themselves firsthand the African people.

What American Students Can Learn From Immersing Themselves In Africa, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

More than one million people travelled from around the world to study at American universities in the 2013-2014 academic year. By contrast, just under 300,000 Americans enrolled to study abroad. In this era of globalisation, it’s no surprise that so many young people are keen to study abroad. But as the Institute of International Education’s research reveals, the majority of US students are sticking close to home - not geographically, but culturally. Africa remains on the margins when it comes to American universities' curricula and initiatives like study-abroad programmes. American university students also display profoundly ill-informed views about Africa.

Rosa Parks' Courage Should Inspire Us All, Julius A. Amin

Julius A. Amin

The Dayton Daily News published this op-ed piece contributed by Julius A. Amin on Feb. 15, 2013. The piece addresses the legacy of Rosa Parks in the U.S. and Africa. The views expressed are those of the author.

The Time Of Africa Has Come, Thomas Diederich

Julius A. Amin