Free space is valuable space: lessons from Chocolate Cities

ABSTRACT

In our reading of Chocolate Cities: The Black Map of American Life as a work of liberation sociology, we discuss contributions to Black critical thought and praxis this book uniquely makes. Hunter and Robinson craft a Black-owned analytical approach by rezoning the United States map into a charting of African American social and cultural milestones. To apply the re-centering methodological and theoretical innovations this book encourages, we extend its themes to the contested racialized terrains of literacy and education in the US. One contemporary response to systemic educational racism, Black homeschooling, is reconceptualized as a resistance movement. Inspired by the provocative work Hunter and Robinson have done, we situate the Black homeschooling within the tradition of critical Black thought, and its enduring emancipatory warrant.

KEYWORDS:

• Black communities
• Afrocentric
• Black homeschooling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Brief heading phrases are quoted from Clinton, George, Junie Morrison, and Garry Shider. 1978. “One Nation Under a Groove.” One Nation Under a Groove, Long-playing record album. Produced by George Clinton.