Yurugu: An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior

Dr. Marimba Ani delivered one of the best researched books on Counter Racism with YURUGU An Afrikan-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior in my opinion. Dr. Ani breaks down the behavior of White people in this book and gives Victims of Racism White Supremacy the tools to understand and comprehend where all of this mistreatment of non white people is coming from. Dr. Ani creates new terms to explain the behavior and culture of White people, which is necessary when trying to understand and explain White Supremacy Racism, our oppressors will not give you the definitions to frame what is accurately happening to non-white people. The introduction is given by Master Teacher Dr. John Henrik Clarke, this book quotes a lot of different scholars, most notable, Dr. Kovel, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Mr. Neely Fuller Jr. the latter two being some of the top individuals in Counter Racism Science. Dr. Ani introduces the following terms in the Glossary, located in front of the book for the reader, which are all very important to black people coming to a more concrete understandings of the System of Racism White Supremacy. Some of the most important of these terms, and essential in understanding the information in the book Asili - The Logos of a culture, within which its various aspects cohere. It is the developmental germ/seed of a culture. It is the cultural essence, the ideological core, the matrix of a cultural entity which must be identified in order to make sense of the collective creations of its members. Utamawazo - Culturally structured thought. It is the way in which cognition is determined by a cultural Asili. It is the way in which the thought of members of a culture must be patterned if the Asili is to be fulfilled. Utamaroho - The vital force of a culture, set in motion by the Asili. It is the thrust or energy source of a culture; that which gives it its emotional tone and motivates the collective behavior of its members. Both the Utamawazo and the Utamaropho are born out of the Asili and, in turn, affirm it. They should not be thought of as distinct from the Asili but as its manifestations. Cultural Other - A conceptual/existential construct which allows White people to act out their most extreme aggression and destructiveness, while simultaneously limiting their collective self-destruction on a conscious level. Rhetorical Ethic - Culturally structured White hypocrisy. It is a statement framed in terms of acceptable moral behavior towards others that is meant for rhetorical purposes only. Its purpose is to disarm intended victims (non white people, specifically those classified as black people) of White cultural and political imperialism. It is meant for "export" only. It is not intended to have significance within the culture. Its essence is its deceptive effect in the service of The System of Racism White Supremacy. Dr. Ani uses and defines a lot of other helpful terms to explain and breakdown White Supremacy Racism. She is a scholar and that fact comes through with this book, as it is not the most easy book to read, but it is well worth the time and effort to do so for black people, who desperately need to gain a better understanding of what is actually happening on the planet, if we are to not only survive but thrive. I suggest having a dictionary close by as you will reference it often to completely understand what the Doctor is talking about. This book was featured on the C.O.W.S and as the Host Gus T Renegade described it, the first 100 to 150 pages are like riding a bike uphill, once the reader is comfortable with the new terms that are introduced and understand the meanings, the rest of the book is like peddling downhill. In closing this is one of the best book I have ever read on White people, you will learn a lot, and even find more books to read and research reading this phenomonal work. A must have in every black person's library and definitely critical information that should be passed on to black offspring.

I've had this book for two years and I am just now getting into truly reading this. Wow wow wow. Wow. It's a dense book, but once you understand the basic terminology it'll flow easier. This is an invaluable book, she alongside Dr. Amos Wilson are amongst a rare pop of black psych and anthro royalty in my book. Superb!!! Many of my conclusions have been validated between these two!! I also recommend "Good White People" by Shannon Sullivan. Very good book. All black ppl need to study the works of these two alongside many other wonderful black authors like Dr. Claud Anderson, Dr. Joy Degruy, Dr. Neely Fuller Jr and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing (RIP). If you are White and you are reading yurugu, props to you, a step in the right direction in healing your own people.

This book has been sitting on my desk for three months daring me to pick it up and begin reading. It is a little intimidating because it is about 600 pages and not a casual read. I wanted to get my mind right and technology is sooooo addictive. So I finally picked up the book, with my dictionary, no electronics because those items always side track me, and began to read. Though I am only on page 134, I have made progress. Thus far I am liking what I am reading. I would also suggest you all listen to her you tube videos as an aid to help you get a grasp of the terminology and ideas. It will seve you well once you begin to read. Again, it is not a casual read, but anyone who can read and willing to do the work will benefit greatly. I read it in 25 page increments. I am, personally, mentally tired by then.

As a previous reviewer stated… WOW, WOW, WOW!! This is a GREAT book and a MUST-READ for anyone of African/Black descent seeking to understand our morbid condition in the world today. I think this seminal work sets up a new thinking for the subjugated peoples around the world to understand the psyche of Europeans and their supremacy of non-white peoples globally. This book is not an easy read (~graduate school type reading comprehension) and the terminology/concepts can be difficult to understand. Nevertheless, that should not deter anyone who is serious about ridding the world of white hegemony/supremacy and restoring harmony to a completely disharmonious world.

Hard hitting. Pulls no punches.

While I did not agree with everything that Marimba Ani wrote--I think that perhaps she idealizes African thought and culture--her criticism of western culture is brilliant. She should be required reading for any intellectual interested in examining the values of western society. Moreover, her writing is highly enjoyable!

this read is so advanced, that its taking me awhile to complete, but the information in it is astounding. I def recommend!!

This is THE book I was looking for. To understand European ideologies and world views and how harmful those views are to your own mental health, the health of others and the world we live in. It makes sense why humanity became so destructive, we see ourselves more as individuals with our interests and agenda but fail to see we are also individuals whom are part of a collective. Read this book carefully

This book is a must read and should be required reading for all black students with an in-depth discussion. Very informative about the nature of European & Euro American culture and thought process. Know who you are dealing with so You can stop begging and take action.

Great!

Dr. Marimba Ani delivered one of the best researched books on Counter Racism with YURUGU An Afrikan-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior in my opinion. Dr. Ani breaks down the behavior of White people in this book and gives Victims of Racism White Supremacy the tools to understand and comprehend where all of this mistreatment of non white people is coming from. Dr. Ani creates new terms to explain the behavior and culture of White people, which is necessary when trying to understand and explain White Supremacy Racism, our oppressors will not give you the definitions to frame what is accurately happening to non-white people. The introduction is given by Master Teacher Dr. John Henrik Clarke, this book quotes a lot of different scholars, most notable, Dr. Kovel, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Mr. Neely Fuller Jr. the latter two being some of the top individuals in Counter Racism Science. Dr. Ani introduces the following terms in the Glossary, located in front of the book for the reader, which are all very important to black people coming to a more concrete understandings of the System of Racism White Supremacy. Some of the most important of these terms, and essential in understanding the information in the book Asili - The Logos of a culture, within which its various aspects cohere. It is the developmental germ/seed of a culture. It is the cultural essence, the ideological core, the matrix of a cultural entity which must be identified in order to make sense of the collective creations of its members. Utamawazo - Culturally structured thought. It is the way in which cognition is determined by a cultural Asili. It is the way in which the thought of members of a culture must be patterned if the Asili is to be fulfilled. Utamaroho - The vital force of a culture, set in motion by the Asili. It is the thrust or energy source of a culture; that which gives it its emotional tone and motivates the collective behavior of its members. Both the Utamawazo and the Utamaropho are born out of the Asili and, in turn, affirm it. They should not be thought of as distinct from the Asili but as its manifestations. Cultural Other - A conceptual/existential construct which allows White people to act out their most extreme aggression and destructiveness, while simultaneously limiting their collective self-destruction on a conscious level. Rhetorical Ethic - Culturally structured White hypocrisy. It is a statement framed in terms of acceptable moral behavior towards others that is meant for rhetorical purposes only. Its purpose is to disarm intended victims (non white people, specifically those classified as black people) of White cultural and political imperialism. It is meant for "export" only. It is not intended to have significance within the culture. Its essence is its deceptive effect in the service of The System of Racism White Supremacy. Dr. Ani uses and defines a lot of other helpful terms to explain and breakdown White Supremacy Racism. She is a scholar and that fact comes through with this book, as it is not the most easy book to read, but it is well worth the time and effort to do so for black people, who desperately need to gain a better understanding of what is actually happening on the planet, if we are to not only survive but thrive. I suggest having a dictionary close by as you will reference it often to completely understand what the Doctor is talking about. This book was featured on the C.O.W.S and as the Host Gus T Renegade described it, the first 100 to 150 pages are like riding a bike uphill, once the reader is comfortable with the new terms that are introduced and understand the meanings, the rest of the book is like peddling downhill. In closing this is one of the best book I have ever read on White people, you will learn a lot, and even find more books to read and research reading this phenomonal work. A must have in every black person's library and definitely critical information that should be passed on to black offspring.

I've had this book for two years and I am just now getting into truly reading this. Wow wow wow. Wow. It's a dense book, but once you understand the basic terminology it'll flow easier. This is an invaluable book, she alongside Dr. Amos Wilson are amongst a rare pop of black psych and anthro royalty in my book. Superb!!! Many of my conclusions have been validated between these two!! I also recommend "Good White People" by Shannon Sullivan. Very good book. All black ppl need to study the works of these two alongside many other wonderful black authors like Dr. Claud Anderson, Dr. Joy Degruy, Dr. Neely Fuller Jr and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing (RIP). If you are White and you are reading yurugu, props to you, a step in the right direction in healing your own people.

This book has been sitting on my desk for three months daring me to pick it up and begin reading. It is a little intimidating because it is about 600 pages and not a casual read. I wanted to get my mind right and technology is sooooo addictive. So I finally picked up the book, with my dictionary, no electronics because those items always side track me, and began to read. Though I am only on page 134, I have made progress. Thus far I am liking what I am reading. I would also suggest you all listen to her you tube videos as an aid to help you get a grasp of the terminology and ideas. It will seve you well once you begin to read. Again, it is not a casual read, but anyone who can read and willing to do the work will benefit greatly. I read it in 25 page increments. I am, personally, mentally tired by then.

As a previous reviewer stated… WOW, WOW, WOW!! This is a GREAT book and a MUST-READ for anyone of African/Black descent seeking to understand our morbid condition in the world today. I think this seminal work sets up a new thinking for the subjugated peoples around the world to understand the psyche of Europeans and their supremacy of non-white peoples globally. This book is not an easy read (~graduate school type reading comprehension) and the terminology/concepts can be difficult to understand. Nevertheless, that should not deter anyone who is serious about ridding the world of white hegemony/supremacy and restoring harmony to a completely disharmonious world.

Hard hitting. Pulls no punches.

While I did not agree with everything that Marimba Ani wrote--I think that perhaps she idealizes African thought and culture--her criticism of western culture is brilliant. She should be required reading for any intellectual interested in examining the values of western society. Moreover, her writing is highly enjoyable!

this read is so advanced, that its taking me awhile to complete, but the information in it is astounding. I def recommend!!

This is THE book I was looking for. To understand European ideologies and world views and how harmful those views are to your own mental health, the health of others and the world we live in. It makes sense why humanity became so destructive, we see ourselves more as individuals with our interests and agenda but fail to see we are also individuals whom are part of a collective. Read this book carefully

This book is a must read and should be required reading for all black students with an in-depth discussion. Very informative about the nature of European & Euro American culture and thought process. Know who you are dealing with so You can stop begging and take action.

Great!

Hard to follow felt like I was reading the colonizers history books . Alot of garbled to digest.

This book is full of critical information for those who are willing to 'go deep' when attempting to understand the world wide domination of white culture.

Very informative book.

Dr. Ani's book has opened the portal to an innerstanding of behaviors I witnessed that baffled me. This is a must read! In fact, this is a perfect book to be studied and analyzed by a group of people searching for answers. Just be sure to allow yourself time to carefully absorb the in-depth information, and have a dictionary nearby. As a melanin-rich woman, I now accept the witnessed behavior as innate.

Must have if you want to even attempt to understand what’s going on in the world today

Dr. Ani's book is one that I have been looking for a very long time although I may have not have been ready for it until now. As a Black man in America, Yurugu completely demystifies the notion of European/white cultural superiority. This book is very difficult to read because of the content that must be covered and the concepts that must be deconstructed and explained. The book hits so many nails on the head. I would not expect most white people to understand it. In fact, most BLACK people will not be able to understand it unless they have adopted an Afrocentric location. Those who know are not intimidated into thinking Afrocentrism to the exclusion of other pardigms and points of view. In fact, Afrocentrism invites the point of view of others as a way to seek truth. I suspect that most people, particularly white people as well as even Black people who have vested themselves into European culture, will find most of Yurugu impalatable. In fact they will decry her work as "reverse racism." However, most balanced and objective people will find this work immensely almost frightenly informative. I admit it has taken me a while to read this book but that is so that I can contemplate what I have read, to allow time to digest these thoughts. White people need not fear retribution or malice from Black people but they should take heed. A Black person or other persons of color who have read this book and others like it will view white people and western culture in a much different light. If white people find black folk questioning them with a heretofore unseen level of confidence and scrutiny, then they will know that they are centered in their "Africaness." Then you will know to say what you mean and mean what you say!

I've seen this book over the years and finally got a copy. This a great study book.

Very detailed and informative read by Mama Marimba Ani

My mom loved her gift. She said it’s a great read.

Exceptional, Brilliant, Matter-of-Fact, Critically Important, Profound, Refreshing in its Honesty. I will call this work a text, because it is deep and riveting in its truths. If you're one who is baffled or perplexed by the European mindset as relates and has related to "The Other", you must read this book. It isn't a "light read", so you'll need to go deep, study, process the information and learn--but the journey is oh so worth the time you put in. You'll emerge wiser, stronger (because all will be clarified), and empowered. I strongly recommend that every household of color in America and elsewhere, own a copy of this book. It is critical for our children, grandchildren and generations to come, to use the truths contained in this book to build a psychologically healthy society.

If you want to understand the personality of so-called "white" western/European culture, read this book. Marimba elegantly breaks down the origins of the ideology called white-supremacy, among other things, using African terminology and concepts.

"The more knowledge one attains, the more they know and understand". Love the great information in this book!! Thanks Dr. Ani for putting the time in on this project!!

Let me start off by saying that I am Turkish, and this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I have lent it and gifted it to many people I care about! Though this is a book by a Black Studies scholar of Afrikan descent, written for a Black audience, you don't have to be Afrikan to get something out of it. The tensions and polarities she describes so eloquently (reason v. emotion, objectivity v. subjectivity, holism v. reductionism, linear v. cyclical thinking, science v. spirituality, etc.) are at the root of significant social trends in every culture, inform behavior between individuals, and influence the direction and nature of one's own personal growth. I am of Turkish descent, and this book helped me understand my culture (and more importantly MYSELF) better than it did Afrikan culture! It changed my life and influenced me to make many positive changes in the way I viewed myself and the world and related to others and my environment! Dr. Ani's controversial, seminal, and highly misunderstood work fills a gaping crevice in academia: a CRITICAL survey of Western Civilization written with the intellectual tools of the Afrikan-Centered/Afrocentric movement of the late 20th century. I read this book in my last year of college as part of my capstone course for my degree in Black Studies, but I would say that this text is probably more appropriate for grad students...or those who are very passionate about the topic. One would probably need a background in history, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, etc. Just as Europeans have been able to gain a critical (though sometimes very pejorative) understanding of the world through "objectivity" or rational dis-identification with the subject of study, Dr. Ani attempts to analyze Western Civilization (not the day-to-day habits of White people) without assumptions about spirituality, progress, morality, social organization, normality, objectivity, logic, etc. which are usually taken for granted by Western authors. In fact, she challenges these concepts directly, and illustrates the way that these ideas have been co-opted by the engine of Western Civilization for political convenience. She questions the validity of "The West", "Europe", and "Whiteness", as social constructs, explores the political reasons for which they were constructed in the first place, and shows how those identities have been invoked more for purposes of domination or aggression than for inter-communal goodwill. This is a book about "The West" as an INSTITUTION, which is a phenomenon that has a quality distinct from the sum of its individual elements (specific individuals, specific cultures, specific governments). The accusations in this book might not apply to your milkman, the Amish people, or the Polish government...but they do apply to "Western", that is, transnational, transcultural, institutions like "Christendom," "The Free World," "The Civilized World," "Developed Countries," "The G8", "The Francophonie," etc. To clear up some of the criticisms leveled toward this book and others like it, let's talk about what this book is not: It is NOT a guide to White people as individuals and the evil things they do. It is NOT a guide to the atrocities committed by White people or Europeans. It is NOT claiming that objectivity, logic, progress, or any of these things are BAD, nor is it claiming that their corruption and exploitation is something specific to Western Culture. It is NOT a criticism of any individual European culture (Irish, German, Italian, etc.) It DOES however, point to general trends in the history of Western Civilization: concentration of power and wealth, usually at the expense of the masses; rapid industrialization for its own sake, usually at the expense of a constructive connection with nature; increasingly abstract and linear thinking, usually at the expense of holistic thinking; increasing universalism and evangelism in the propagation of those abstract and linear ideas, usually at the expense of the ideas of other cultures and the people who subscribe to them. Unlike Western authors, she does not sugarcoat these trends and the massive levels of destruction (human and environmental) as blips on the screen; she describes them as essential, consistent, and growing trends in Western Society. She highlights the way in which many of the social ills that are a part of human nature, and certainly not exclusive to Europeans, are manifested in an unprecedented scale in the West, in a way that sets the West apart from the rest. To stray from academics and quote my favorite bumper sticker: "Never before have so few taken so much from so many for so long." This book is, quite possibly, the best explanation I have ever read as to why.

Wonderful. Black Classic. Required reading. A must have.

A must read for those interested in understanding Eurocentric cultural thought and esoteric foundations. The read may be somewhat technical so keep a dictionary near for clear understanding of terminology - summarize - and reread. Worth the investment in time.

Great Book! The Author Discusses European Thought through the Perspective of an Afrikan Centered Approach!

Awesome Book. Educationally enhancing and an important book towards the great canons of literature.

A must have for the Afrocentric minded.

Great

Amazing!

A must have for every serious student of racism.

Excellent scholarly work by the Author. It should be a required text for college students especially those who are pursuing degrees in psychology.

This book came in very good condition and is a pleasure to read.A definite keepsake for collectors of African American literature.All is well with the place I got this book from.No problems..

An awesome read with some very well thought out points of view on western thought and its many limitations. Much of western thought is not critically examined because it has been taught to be the shining example and epitome of human advancement ignoring much of the deficiencies therein. Overall great read will read again and give as gifts.

the truth

Nice

Yurugu, An Afrikan-Centered Critque of European Cultural Thought and Behavior is the best book I've read in my 65 year's on the plant. More than anything it help me gain a deeper understanding of the world in which I live. I am sincerely great-full for her work and dedication in providing a very thorough critique of European Culture. A must read for the younger generation of non-white people and older adults who want to raise their consciousness about self.

My New Year's resolution: to read and study this book. The book is well written, very documented. A learning experience.

Great book.

Thank you so very much.

I keep my phone close to get the definitions of the vocabulary she uses but this book is crucial for the black man and woman in understanding the actions of their European peers

Great book.Ordered this from Umoja books and were able to ship it to the Uk.Efficient and effective service.New book and arrived quite quick.Was able to track the package through out.

Get it while you can. Historically sound, informative, incredibly well written. Clearly a student of John Henrik Clarke and a damned good one at that.

I love this book!!

Great book

A masterpiece! After reading this book one will "overstand" what it means to be a white person.

Great read!

Yurugu is at once a very insightful critique of European culture and also very frustrating in many ways. The theories regarding the influence of Platonic thought, Christianity, and European nationalist-motivated internationalism are truly informative. She also clarifies the problems of liberal thinking as based in a paternalistic and naive view of universalism. Really, much of her critique should make any one more reflective of European cultural history. On the other hand, a long treatment of melanin deficiency being a possible root of white people’s biological inability to be truly spiritual and to be aggressively imperialistic is just weird. Also, Ani finally states in her conclusion that other cultures have behaved badly, but just not in the same way (somehow) nor as effectively. She does not consider ancient and very successful empires (with all their congenial cruelties) throughout history. China was arguably more successful at empire for much longer than Europe has been. I think there are other more coherent explanations for European success at imperial domination - some of which she mentions but discounts, and that European domination has not been as long lived as she implies even as it fades in the present. Finally, though not as important, she frequently refers to whites as being a very small minority in the world. A minority, yes, but very small only if she unites all other ‘colors’ under one flag. Disaggregated, blacks are as small in number as whites. Her claim to spiritual kinship with all other peoples besides whites paints with too broad a brush. Ani offers only the most vague descriptions of how African and other “first world peoples” are more complete and genuine than Europeans, and an equally vague and very brief view of any solution. I would give another half star to make this an even 50/50 and a lot of credit for making me think about it all.

I will not go into a long drawn out review as the majority of the reviews here, said what I would have said. Suffice to say Dr. Ani thorough research and factual study, certainly explain the insanity and cognitive dissonance of the minority race and their destructive impact on the planet and its peoples. While the infant Yurugu on this planet has certainly caused his share of havoc, we as the parent race have also been guilty of our own crimes against each other. One has only to go back into history and research the Gilgamesh epics and other historical accounts to see the war being waged on the matriarch by patriarchal godz, quite frankly I'm tired of hearing about "the others", and their constant need for attention and drama, when we need to clean our own dirty laundry. Collectively we are all at this point exhausted of the continued madness on this planet and desire relief.

I first read this book several years ago. It was so far over my head at the time. I needed a dictionary by my side to get through pretty much every page. Yet, I knew somehow that I needed to get through it. And, somehow I did. Even though, when I was done, I had to admit that there was so much of it I just flat out did not understand. But, then, as time went on, I found that the firm foundation of struggling through Ani's work was _exactly_ what I needed to prepare me for what was to come later in my Journey of Life. I was able to read, and eventually understand, Ra Un Nefer Amen's "Metu Neter" because Ani forced me to get a grasp on the meaning, implications, and ramifications of Cosmology. I was able to understand Welsing's "Isis Papers" because Ani taught me to step outside the box America had taught me from birth to imprison myself within and to question everything meticulously. I was able, after years of denial, to recognize the wide and deep chasm between christianity and Christ because of the foundation Ani lay, warning me gently, without condemnation, that all was not as it seemed. I could go on and on. But, instead, I will end by simply saying two things. One, an Afrikan is a fool, unworthy of benefiting from his ancestor's struggles, if he allows anyone to tell him what to read. And, two, if the childen of those who enslaved your ancestors are kicking and screaming, throwing a fit, and insisting that something you are about to do is wrong ... then that is a very good sign that you are on the right path to Knowing Self. A wise scribe, thousands of years ago, wrote upon his books of wisdom, when he foresaw that soon others would come and corrupt his teachings: "Be hidden, until an older heaven births human beings who are worthy of your wisdom." Ani is one of those beings, birthed by heaven to be worthy of the wisdom of Tehuti. Istlota

I love this book as well as Yurugu- she slays the European doctrine and breaks it down to an infantile compound. There is no escaping the wrath of certainty in her books. A must read/have for all library of African Centered minds

I originally posted the above two reviews over 2 years ago and this book remains drastically, no dangerously under read. In Yurugu, Mama Ani deconstructs the European World View, Culture, Religions, Reality/Ideality, and operational perceptions. This is one of the best Acedemic works to come out of an Afrikan mind that has survived the Maafa. You will need to go to you dictionary a few times. You will also need to take some time with the concepts in order to get them fully (right from the start). But it is a work well worth the effort that some of us require to read it. This book is seldom attacked by the European American Acedemic establishment instead the attack Marimba Ani for changing her name! Never the essense of the book itself. I have video and audio tapes of her lectures should you need more assistance. Please follow through with some of the suggested readings in the other two post above.

I bought this book like in the 90s was referred to me by another cultural nationalist met this sista back in Chicago she worked with the Great Amos Wilson in NY. It took her 20 years of Research to Develop this book the cover of the Book is a rendition of how whites looked when they take the mask off a creature of a thing, this art was displayed in the German Museums for some time til Hitler didn't want them shown in this light. This is a Classic of a Book to be Studied and Read and ReRead it took me about 3yrs to get to the middle of the book and i find myself always going back to grasp the meanings and concepts throughout the book. Thanks Marimba for your work...

For those that make it their business to understand the ongoing dynamic of racism, as it is fueled by capitalism, xenophobia and institutional racism - Yurugu offers the pinacle of dialogue. What makes it equally interesting is that it also draws from traditional sources to provide esoteric insight into the matter as well. This is probably the most brave and holistic book about Eurocentricism gone awry ever. Book stores are gradually finding out how important a book it is and starting to overcharge! It is still easily found by those who make a little effort. COLLECTORS, DO NOT PAY MORE THAN $40 FOR A NEW COPY! Used copies can be easily found for around $20.

I think that if a person (presumably a victim of racism like myself) who has read and thoroughly understands this book can be present with others who are being introduced to this essential work that would help generate understanding, since many of the concepts involve new (non English) words and it's very thorough. New readers may take longer to get the concepts alone. That said yurugu is to counter racism what quantum physics is to "western" science- she breaks it down to the molecular level and beyond. All the levels involved in our existence -thought, attitude, physical form- are linked in what ms. ani called the asili, and this asili is the seed of culture- physical form, thought, attitude. Yurugu is the deficient one, who lacked the female aspect of the wholeness of his asili (or seed of existence) and was forever in need of more power. Aka the global historic (and currently refined) onslaught of global white supremacy. And i could be wrong, ill just put that out there. Folks can have their own opinion about the read but I'd wager either they didn't fully grasp the concepts or they are white supremacist debunkaholics.

Marimba Ani takes the reader on a journey examining the thoughts of European thinkers. She exposes those Europeans who are racist for what they are. In this scholarly work you will be introduced to the structure of Eurpoean thought; you will also see how religion is used as an ideology and the power of symbols [white, good and beautiful]. You are introduced to self image [how europeans see themselves], and the image of others [how Europeans see others] as well. You will also read about rhetoric and behavior [ hypocrisy as a way of life], European behavior towards others and Europeans usage of the term Universalism [cultural imperialism]. In this work, you will read about these topics and more. This work will make you THINK!

This book should be essential to any library of a student serious about Afrocentric thought. Mama Marimba Ani gives a blunt and scholarly approach to the effects the european race has had on African people worldwide. The book may be a bit intimadating for students new to this school of thought. You should be well versed in the ideologies of Plato to even deal with the first chapter. However, there is imformation in this book that can be an asset to any degree of knowledge. She sets into motion an all out attack on christain ideology in the second chapter. In the thrid chapter she gives the workings of the europeans since of arts and fashion opposed to the africans since of style. Every moment of this book is explosive. I recommend this book immensly.

I bought this book 4 years ago at a time when I was searching for information about my self and ways to critically analyze my life and aproach to living as a Black man. I had heard of Ani's work via net searches and online excerpts from the book. From the few excerpts I read I knew that this book was one for me to have and "study" not just read. I must say that it was a painful, yet healing process, because with each page I could feel my mind shedding many of it's negative european conditionings and begin to reconnect to my heart, the true source of life as the Ancient Blacks of India (Read Anacalypsis I and II) and Africa knew. It is an overt polemic to say the least and Ani pulls no punches in that regard, but this work must be viewed as it is intended: A critique of European behaviours, thoughts and spirit. Most people who have given this work a negative rating may not have paid attention to Indo-european history. I say "Indo-european" because many of the ancient Arab peoples were historically of the same lineage and those in power in Many Arab nations have the same traits. To the masses European and Arab cultures seem at odds but I beleive they work together in the backgroun, the so called manipulators of both sides work together to maintain control. Patriarchial consciousness and the degredation of the feminine are Yurugu traits, and even though they predominate in Indo-european cultures, ALL males in ALL cultures have the capacity to turn on their females but most cultures who are the majority here on earth (Non Indo-Euro) maintain a balance like a healthy organism, until they come into contact with Indo-europeans and then the disease state of mind begins. This book is directly aimed at those "so called" leaders we see and the manipulators of show behind the scenes, and the thoughts and behaviours many of us have taken on as "modern" when in fact they are madness. It's about Thought-formed patterns, the connection or disconnection from the heart and the subsequent behaviours that result. Also, to get a better understanding of how this disease state of mind can spread, I would suggest on study the areas of occult (by definition occult means hidden, NOT evil knowledge) research about thought-forms. Our thoughts are living entities which are symbiotic with us culturally, and biologically as a whole. Thought-forms are driven and live by their inherent emotional programming, or feelings. Since the body and all of earth is about 85-90% water, and since many scientist nw know what ancients always have about the memory aspects of water, it is easy to see how thought-forms like viral or healthy bio-energetic emissions from cells in the body can spread diseased or healthy patterns. Indo-european cultural thought-forms are inherently concerned with conquering and destruction. Dissecting life, anti-nature (progress) anti-feminine, and causing those (non indo-europeans as well as europeans) to be driven to spread "freedom" across the world. Study The "Shopping For Spirit" articles by Steve Gamble online to understand thought forms and how this ties in with Yurugu mind and any information you can on the subjects he covers. Then read Yurugu and see the correlations. Taking his research one step ahead, it means that the ASTRAL realms are populated by viral, yurugu thought-forms and discarnate people withe the same mindset which they carried with them apon death or they became that way because they never nurtured a connection with their cultural heartmind while on earth and fell "in line" with the status quo. This is the reason for the healing rituals Africans and other primary cultures perform: To help those in the Astral thought realms to move on and to maintain the balance of reciprocity here and there so that only healthy and balanced thought-forms exist. African culture in Maerican is defeated and hindered by the thought-forms used by us and imposed on us by our so-called leaders, the media surrounding us, and the constant repition of the "history" in the educational system which someone else has deemed right for us to hear and see. Done enough times, and these thought-forms become very powerful and must be overcome by their opposites. All of this may seem outrageous, but do the math, RESEARCH it and the history of radionics and so and connect the dots! Some will not connect the dots, because this "truth" does not resonate with them and it may never do so. But for those African Americans on the path to self-liberation, THIS book along with a LOT of study about thought as energy (study Radionics and the areas of sympathetic vibrations) will allow you to become free, ESPECIALLY youg black men and most importantly, young black women. For anyone who is of Yurugu Mind here in America and Abroad (remember thoughts as energy cross culture or color lines) this book seems racist. It's not for you at this time because you are not ready for it, OR you are on another path to liberation. As Ani cites from the Sophists view, ther is no one truth, just different paths, which is anti yurgu to the core! If you are ready, forget the detracters from this work,BREAK out the dictionary (I did and I am NEVER ashamed to do it, You..Must..Learn KRS One) and take it all in at your own pace. Study it and look around you TODAY. Study it and LOOK at the world situation TODAY and what do you see? You wont see anything in my opinion, until you read this book my friends.

The beauty of this book lies in Ani's methodology. Her critique extends to the Western intellectual tradition and its objectification of people of color. This tradition contributed to the process of creating the 'other' and to the more generalized devaluation of non-white people, and thus reinforced the imperial impulse of various European nations. The anthropologists played their part in reinforcing this impulse by 'studying' these people and 'justifying' their inferiority to Europeans. Ani documents this among such fathers of the field as Henri St. Simon. She then uses a similar methodological formula, that such fathers established in western universities, to critique European culture. As such, an admirable quality of the book is Ani's own ability to "turn every stratagem of the destroyers against themselves," by using a similar western methodology to construct the critique. The research spans from platonic discourse to the contemporary AIDS `crisis.' I recommend this book to any student wishing to learn about ways to do an overtly political type of anthropology.