[Xmca-l] Re: Genetics, internalization, biology, and Vygotsky

[HENRY SHONERD]

I am late here, but I have just finished a book by Suki John, Vera’s daughter, on Cuban dance since the revolution. She is a dance prof and dancer and has immersed herself in the dance culture of Cuba. She talks of the blend of “cubanidad” and other dance forms. Cubanidad has religious elements undoubtedly related to those of Haiti. What I find interesting is how cultural elements which have been “desprestigiados” overtly, like those brought to the “New” world by Africans as slaves now enjoy so much covert prestige, as evidenced by the adoption of African-American religious forms in White churches. Shake it up, baby. Twist and shout. African Americans gave us jazz, hip-hop. Young people get it. We are ALL Africans.
Henry
 
> On Dec 16, 2014, at 8:43 AM, Dr. Paul C. Mocombe <pmocombe@mocombeian.com> wrote:
> 
> Leif,
> 
> It is funny that you should mention Fanon, bcuz he was very critical of haiti and vodou.  He suggested that haitians need to drop vodou as it would contribute to the underdeveloped of the island.
> 
> 
> Dr. Paul C. Mocombe
> President
> The Mocombeian Foundation, Inc.
> www.mocombeian.com 
> www.readingroomcurriculum.com 
> www.paulcmocombe.info 
> 
> <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Leif Strandberg <leifstrandberg.ab@telia.com> </div><div>Date:12/16/2014  7:35 AM  (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: "eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity" <xmca-l@mailman.ucsd.edu> </div><div>Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: Genetics, internalization, biology, and Vygotsky </div><div>
> </div>Oh my God! Melanin and religion??
> 
> I prefer re-reading ”The Wretched of the Earth” and ”Black Skin, White Masks” by dr Frantz Fanon.
> 
> Leif
> 
> in the North of Sweden
> 
> :-)
> 16 dec 2014 kl. 11:37 skrev Dr. Paul C. Mocombe <pmocombe@mocombeian.com>:
> 
>> I have an important question for vygotsky scholars...According to the haitian sociologist, Daniel Supplice, as people of African descent, whose societies and governments have been based on theocracy prior to their contacts with Europeans, democracy is not for haitians.  He argues that as haitians and people of african descent, we have to reconsider how we constitute our societies, and stop adopting the ideologies and practices of whites, which are aligned with their biology and experiences of the world.
>> 
>> This debate is not new.  There is an argument in afrocentric circles, which highlight the impact that melanin has in making people of color religious and determining their worldview.  So that in the internalization of social processes by blacks melanin is a determing factor in constituting their worldview.  Is this the sought of biological/genetic factor that Vygotsky scholars are taking into account when they speak of the internalization process?
>> 
>> I am aware of the fact that alcohol and certain high blood pressure medications adversely affect people of african descent because of melanin.  Should we look at the internalization of social processes along the same lines as the ingestion of medicine and alcohol?  Is this Vygotskyian or more in line with Kantian form of understanding and sensibilities as it applies to people of african descent?
>> 
>> Dr. Paul C. Mocombe
>> President
>> The Mocombeian Foundation, Inc.
>> www.mocombeian.com 
>> www.readingroomcurriculum.com 
>> www.paulcmocombe.info 
> 
>