Clenora Hudson-Weems, PhD
Obama’s American Dream--Non-Discrimination, Economic Salvation & Humanity
A Blueprint for the Restoration of America’s Global Image and Leadership
Columbia, MO—Africana Womanism & Race & Gender in the Presidential Candidacy of Barack Obama, advocating unity as a panacea for all societal ills, expounds on an authentic paradigm for all African Diaspora women. Clenora Hudson-Weems, PhD, uses Africana Womanism as a template for interpreting political activity, particularly the current controversial debates surrounding the Nation’s 1st Black nominee for the Democratic Party for President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
The story of authenticity, human survival, economic security & racial healing for all, this book logically moves from the proper naming & defining of the Africana woman in Part One, to commentaries in Part Two on the biggest obstacle for our society--racism. The book exposes how this phenomenon insidiously impacts upon personal & public relationships, culminating in the current historical moment, as it unfolds in the ascendance of a Black man, Senator Barack Obama, to candidacy for presidency of the USA with his wife, Michelle, the potential 1st Lady. With the mission of restoring America’s image and leadership once again in the global world, he has the potential of becoming one of the best U. S. Presidents ever.
President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.'s Foreword refers to Clenora as “profound in her discourse;” Atty. Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr.'s Afterword quotes her as saying “There is a great difference between discrimination by privilege & protection, and discrimination by deprivation & exclusion;” Lillian Smith, Emmy Award Winner as former 20-year producer of T.V. Talk show, DONAHUE, acknowledges Clenora’s “spiritual sense of genuine sisterhood;” & Barry Morrow, Oscar Award-Winning Co-Writer of Rain Man, calls her “a seasoned social, cultural, and political thinker [whose message represents] things worth fighting for."
Clenora Hudson-Weems, Professor of English (UMC), received the PhD (U. of Iowa), M.A. (Atlanta U.), B. A. (LeMoyne College) degrees, and a Certificate of French Studies (L'Université de Dijon, France). She is author of Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves (Bedford, 1993); Africana Womanist Literary Theory (Africa World Press, 2004); two books in her Emmett Till Trilogy-- Emmett Till: The Sacrificial Lamb of the Civil Rights Movement (Bedford, 1994; AuthorHouse, 2006); The Definitive Emmett Till: Passion and Battle of a Woman for Truth and Intellectual Justice (AuthorHouse, 2006); and editor of the third of the Till Trilogy--Plagiarism—Physical and Intellectual Lynchings: An Emmett Till Continuum (AuthorHouse, 2007). She is also co-author with Wilfred D. Samuels of Toni Morrison (Prentice-Hall, 1990), and co-author with Dora Anderson of The Rosa Parks of the Disabled Movement: Plantation Politics and a Black Woman’s Struggle against General Motors, United Auto Workers and Government Bureaucrats (AuthorHouse, 2008). She is editor of Contemporary Africana Theory, Thought and Action: A Guide to Africana Studies (Africa World Press, 2007). Forthcoming is her first novel, Soul Mates. She has completed a movie script, “Unearthing Emmett Till: Passion for Truth” (Barry Marrow, Oscar Award-Winning Co-Writer of Rain Man and Producer). Her current work is on the Plight of Black Farmers and Land Owners as an Emmett Till Continuum.
The debate over race/class/gender will go on as it should, but the historical record clearly points to 2nd class citizenship for most Blacks. Clenora points out this irrefutable fact in all her works by emphasizing prioritization, rebuilding families, relationships, spirituality & communities. Her Obama piece hits the nail on the head. Black text/experience is real. She states "there is a great difference between discrimination by privilege & protection & discrimination by deprivation & exclusion." An egalitarian society where white supremacy is eliminated root-in-branch must be the ultimate goal. It is the only way the nation can truly come together for the survival of humankind.
Atty. Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr., Last Original Civil Rights Attorney in America; Charles Hamilton Houston Chair (NCCU School of Law, 2006)
Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems’ book is yet another example of her astute perception about the fact that our mindset must change if we are to overcome today’s racial & economic conditions. From the very 1st day we met, I instantly saw & felt the glow of passion, love, justice & a spiritual sense of Genuine Sisterhood. A must read, this book shares Clenora’s ingredients of what it takes & what our responsibilities to ourselves, our family & our society must be for us to experience respect and recognition as equal participants in our changing world. Understanding her journey & feeling the strain of the race & gender divide, Clenora knows that the key to justice is equity on all fronts, finances included. I thank God she accepts her gift.
Lillian Smith, President & CEO, LS Production Works, Award-Winning Former Producer, DONAHUE
Bullies beware: Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems is a fighter. Whatever your "ism," she will knock you flat with wisdom, wit & a human-sense approach to life that demands fairness. As a seasoned social, cultural & political thinker, she’s wholly unafraid of any worthy fray or controversy as was Till for her. Yet there is another component to this intellectual warrior’s makeup, which runs though her writing as it does her life—the notion of the redemptive spirit. In Clenora’s view, the shelf-life on hatred has expired. It’s time to usher in a new era, built on the ideals of remorse, atonement, forgiveness & reconciliation. With redemption as our referee, grace returns, hope endures & life regains its promise--Things worth fighting for.
Barry Morrow, Oscar Award-Winning Co-Writer of Rain Man; Producer
During one of the most emotionally-charged Presidential campaigns in American history, Clenora Hudson-Weems’ Africana Womanism & Race & Gender in the Presidential Candidacy of Barack Obama provides a unique & important perspective regarding his historic quest. Using her theory of Africana Womanism as a reference point, Clenora discusses such phenomena as the Democratic primary battle between Obama & Hillary Clinton, & the role of Michelle Obama, which courageously illuminates how race & gender continue to be "hot button" issues in American society.
Robert E. Weems Jr, PhD, Professor of History (UMC); author of Desegregating the Dollar: African American Consumerism in the 20th Century; Business in Black & White: American Presidents & Black Entrepreneurs in the 20th Century
Written with passion & grace, this timely volume represents both summa & extension of Hudson-Weems’ lifetime of passionate social theorizing & activist advancement of Africana Womanism. Part social theory, part literary discourse, part sermon, & part political commentary, these essays send forth a Call & blueprint for the spiritual healing of Africana male- female-family-community. Here we find Clenora’s bold counterforce to the historic race & class limitations of an Anglo-American individual rights-based feminism. It is in this Africana Womanist vision that she sets out not only the pre-conditions for a healed black femininity & black America, but for all international peoples of color & for our own still racially- riven nation. Coming on the eve of an historic election, featuring the very 1st African American presidential candidate, this book situates itself in the next great watershed moment for Blacks and for the nation itself.
Gloria L. Cronin, PhD,
Author and Professor of English, Brigham Young University
